After the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost to the New England Patriots, 28-23, in Week 11, quarterback Baker Mayfield felt like he needed to say a few words to his offensive teammates in the locker room. Mayfield spoke of taking pride in their work and accountability, specifically regarding a failure to do something correctly in a game that was executed well during the week of practice. Mayfield later repeated many of the same thoughts at the podium in his postgame press conference.
Perhaps the most important play of the Patriots game, from the Buccaneers' standpoint, was a good example of what Mayfield meant with his comments. Trailing by five and facing a fourth-and-three at the New England 27 with less than two minutes to play, the Bucs were in a position to potentially score a go-ahead touchdown and drain most of the clock. However, the Patriots blitzed and the Bucs failed to adjust to it in the way they had prepared during the week. The pressure got to Mayfield immediately and all he could manage was a desperation flip to Rachaad White as he was being dragged down. White was tackled for a loss of three, the Patriots scored on a long run two plays later to make it a two-score game and that was that.
By all accounts, from Head Coach Todd Bowles to Mayfield's teammates, the message was timely, accurate and well-received. The Buccaneers felt as if they were motivated to produce a strong week of practice, which they hoped would produce a more consistent offensive performance in Buffalo in Week 11.
Unfortunately, the Buccaneers didn't get the win at Highmark Stadium despite taking the lead on five separate occasions during the game, with the Bills pulling away at the end for a 44-32 final. However, they did eclipse 30 points, ran for 202 yards and generally remained productive on offense throughout the game, avoiding the mid-game lull that doomed them against the Patriots.
"I think there was a difference mentally," said Mayfield. "Any time you run the ball like that, guys are locked in -- they're doing their job. That takes everybody, not just the offensive line. Obviously, they played extremely well to run the ball over 200 yards, but I think the message was well-received. We just didn't make enough plays when we needed to."
The Buccaneers didn't score on their opening possession in Buffalo but they did on four of their next five drives, going into halftime down by just one point. They later took leads of 26-21 on a Sean Tucker touchdown run and 32-31 on Mayfield's 28-yard scoring pass to Tucker early in the fourth quarter. The Bills scored the last two touchdowns of the game, with reigning MVP Josh Allen throwing for three touchdowns and running for three more, but as Bowles said after the game, "When you score 32 points, you're supposed to win."
With Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams up next for the Buccaneers, they might need 32 points to get out of SoFi Stadium with a win. Fortunately, Mayfield thinks the offense is on the right track.
"I think, without a doubt, the fight, the passion, the energy was there," he said. "I think mentally, everybody was locked in. Whether [we] lost focus during the game or just didn't make the plays -- difference there. That's the mentality we have to come out with starting fast and being physical, especially on offense. I think everybody was bought in on that one."
