Baker Mayfield openly criticized the officials both during and after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ lopsided 24–9 loss to the Detroit Lions on “Monday Night Football.”
Tampa Bay’s quarterback was spotted giving NFL official John Hussey a piece of his mind after the Buccaneers’ final offensive drive. Later, Mayfield didn’t hold back when asked about his interaction with Hussey and his overall opinion of the officiating crew.
“A third down defensive holding call that wasn’t called, and also still pretty damn confused about the double review,” Mayfield said postgame. “Lot of things in that game that (are) a little questionable. A lot of frustration at the end of that, it might be displaced on John Hussey in the moment, but I work my ass off and I put a lot into this game. So when things that don’t seem fair, I’m gonna let somebody know. And that’s good, bad, indifferent.
GettyDETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 20: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is tackled by Al-Quadin Muhammad #96 and Tyrus Wheat #99 of the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter of the game at Ford Field on October 20, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The NFL Second Guessed Itself During Review
The “double review” Mayfield mentioned took place early in the fourth quarter when he completed a four-yard pass to tight end Cade Otton on a fourth-and-4. The officials initially ruled that Otton made the catch for a first down, a decision upheld after the Lions challenged the play.
However, in a surprising twist, Hussey was called back for another review and ultimately overturned the ruling, giving the Lions possession and restoring Detroit’s timeout.
The NFL supposedly uses Sony’s Hawk-Eye Virtual Measurement Technology, a series of cameras around the stadium, to measure whether or not a player reached the line to gain. That began this season, hence why there are no more “chain gangs” or ball measurements.
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles also had remarks postgame about the officiating.
“Well, once they make a review and they say it out loud over the headset, you kind of go with it,” Bowles said. “I’m not used to going back and then making another call and changing it, but he explained it. It was a ugly look, (and) said they been doing it once a week. But they’re gonna be human and make mistakes.”
Not Only Questionable Call During Rough Night for Bucs
That was the second overturned call of the night involving Mayfield and Otton. Late in the first half, officials reversed a three-yard completion to Otton, ruling instead that Arthur Maulet had intercepted Mayfield’s pass. By rule, when two players gain simultaneous possession, the ball is awarded to the offense.
GettyDETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 20: Arthur Maulet #27 of the Detroit Lions makes an interception in the second quarter against Cade Otton #88 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on October 20, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
There’s no question the Buccaneers were on the wrong end of several close calls Monday night. Still, Tampa Bay’s (5-2) loss was largely the result of Detroit’s (5-2) superior play on both sides of the ball—particularly in the running game. The Lions racked up 164 rushing yards, with Jahmyr Gibbs accounting for 136 yards and two touchdowns. In contrast, the Buccaneers managed only 41 yards on 12 carries, spending most of the night trying to catch up.
The Bucs also lost star receiver Mike Evans, who suffered a broken collarbone in the second quarter. Bowles announced after the game that Evans is expected to miss most of the Buccaneers’ remaining regular-season contests.
The Bucs are at the New Orleans Saints next week Sunday.
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