Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield is throwing the football as well as anyone in the league, fostering the MVP conversation. Against the 49ers, he completed 17 of 23 passes (73.9%) for 256 yards and two touchdown passes compared to zero interceptions for a 139.0 passer rating. Over the last two weeks, Mayfield has completed 82.1% of his passes – the highest mark among any quarterback that has played in both games over the previous two-game stretch. During this two-game stretch, Mayfield has posted consecutive performances of averaging at least 11.0 yards per attempt – the only such span by any quarterback this season. With an understanding of how to manipulate coverage and how to avoid pressure, plus underrated arm talent, Mayfield put on a highlight-reel performance against San Francisco, beating the NFC West team for the first time in his NFL tenure.
His most notable play came in the third quarter from third-and-14. Mayfield somehow managed to avoid two defenders on a seemingly sure sack and scrambled 15 yards for the first down. He spun, absorbed the contact and reached for the marker to keep the team's drive alive on a jaw-dropping play. That physical run by Mayfield encapsulates the player he is and cements his case for Most Valuable Player at the Week Six mark.
Yaya Diaby
Yaya Diaby notched another impressive game against San Francisco, much like his debut in 2023 (Week 11) where he was given the starting nod after a two-sack day against the Niners. Diaby led the Buccaneers with 2.0 sacks, posting his second career game with multiple sacks. He consistently worked his way into the backfield and became a nuisance for Mac Jones. Diaby harnessed his power and athleticism to get home. Overall, the Bucs' defense tallied six sacks on the day and dominated the line of scrimmage. Diaby spearheaded the unit and stifled the 49ers' momentum. He showcased his separation skills at the point of attack and short-area acceleration against the 49ers.
Tez Johnson
Shifty receiver Tez Johnson logged his first career touchdown reception in Sunday's win, bringing in a 45-yard score from Baker Mayfield. On second down in the third quarter following Mayfield's theatrical run, the signal-caller connected with Johnson on a 45-yard bomb. Johnson was originally supposed to run across the field (potentially on a deep over), but instead, he saw the middle of the field open and adjusted. Mayfield pump-faked to manipulate the safety and force him to remain flat footed. Johnson ran a vertical seam route and threw up his hand to signal Mayfield. No. 6 delivered a strike and Johnson made an acrobatic reaching grab to make it a 27-19 game. That play changed the course of the game. Emeka Egbuka was ruled out with a hamstring injury and when the odds seemed to be stacked against the Bucs, Johnson brought life back into the offense to punctuate Mayfield's mind-boggling scramble. At the end of the 2025 slate, that sequence may very well be the catalyst for Tampa Bay.
