The Tampa Bay Buccaneersâ season has taken a sharp and extremely frustrating turn.Â
As The Pewter Plank noted, much of the focus has landed on quarterback Baker Mayfield and is recent struggles.Â
After looking like one of the leagueâs biggest success stories early in the year, Mayfieldâs recent stretch has drawn growing concern from analysts and fans.Â
Early in the season, Mayfield helped steady the Buccaneers through injuries and was even being talked about in the MVP race.Â
That version of Tampa Bay jumped out to a 5-1 start and looked like they were going to run away with the NFC South.
But over the past two-plus months, the offense has stalled, the wins have dried up, and the numbers behind Mayfieldâs play have become difficult to ignore.Â
The Numbers Behind Mayfieldâs Recent Struggles
Baker Mayfield has been in a major slump.
Over the past 10 weeks, Mayfieldâs production places him near the bottom of the league among starting QBs.
In that span, he ranks 18th in passing yards among quarterbacks with at least eight starts, averaging just 178.3 yards per game.Â
His efficiency has dipped even further, as his 5.7 yards per attempt ranks last among qualifying quarterbacks during that stretch.
Accuracy has also been an issue.
Mayfieldâs completion percentage sits at 58.5 percent over the past 10 weeks, ahead of only one starter.Â
Additionally, his passer rating of 77.2 is the lowest among the same group.
While the Bucs were battling injuries for a big part of the season, they have recently gotten very healthy.Â
Despite playing behind a now healthy offensive line and full complement of weapons, Mayfield struggles have continued.Â
The Bucs have failed to generate consistent explosive plays, sustain drives or finish in the red zone.Â
His 11 touchdown passes during this stretch rank in the middle of the pack of QBs, while his interception rate remains among the higher marks in the league.Â
It has certainly been a struggle for Baker and his poor play is costing the Bucs at the most important time of the season.Â
How the Slump Has Cost the Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield’s struggles tell an unfortunate story for the Bucs.
The timing of his struggles have been especially damaging for Tampa Bay.Â
After opening the season 5-1 and improving to 6-2, the Buccaneers appeared to be firmly in control of the division.
Since then, theyâve stumbled to a 7-8 record, after losing six of their last seven games.Â
Theyâve lost tons of close games and have blown big leads over that stretch.Â
Several of those losses have come down to late-game execution.
That includes a costly interception by Baker in last weekâs loss to Carolina.Â
Instead of capitalizing on a winnable schedule and a healthy roster, Tampa Bay has watched its playoff chances slip away.
And the main reason behind that is that the offense continues to sputter.Â
With just one week remaining, the Buccaneers still have a path, but the margin for error is gone.Â
The Buccaneers have to win out in their last two games against the Dolphins and Panthers to make the playoffs.Â
The biggest question now is whether Mayfield can get back to the level he showed earlier in the season as Tampa Bay tries to keep its playoff hopes alive.
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