Baker Mayfield had a career game in Green Bay Sunday afternoon, as he sliced and diced up the Packer’s defense with surgical precision, leading the Buccaneers to a 34-20 upset win in Lambeau Field.
With the win, the Bucs maintain their hold on first place in the NFC South as they get back to .500 at 7-7.
Mayfield becomes the first quarterback in history to have a perfect 158.3 rating in Green Bay, completing 22/28 passes for 381 yards and four touchdowns against a Packers defense that was ranked 11th coming into this game.
Mayfield did an excellent job distributing the ball, as four receivers caught touchdown passes.
Is Mayfield a Candidate for Comeback Player of the Year?
Mayfield has 3,315 passing yards on the season with 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Could a Comeback Player of the Year Award be in Baker Mayfield’s future?
I don’t know what more Mayfield needs to do to show the organization that he is the guy and deserves a long-term contract.
Todd Bowles talked about what Mayfield has meant to the organization this season and from a leadership standpoint.
“He’s meant everything. From a mental standpoint to a quarterback standpoint, making plays. From a toughness standpoint, from a leadership standpoint, he’s done everything. He’s checked all the boxes. He’s doing all the right things now, and I can’t say enough about him.”
Chris Godwin led the way on offense with ten catches for 150 yards, while Mike Evans had four catches for 57 yards and a touchdown.
Rachaad White Continues His Dominance
Rachaad White had his fourth consecutive game with over 100 total yards. White ran for 89 yards, caught two passes for 50 yards, and caught a touchdown pass.
White now has 836 rushing yards on the season and has three games to get that magical 1,000-yard mark.
The Saga of Devin White
Linebacker Devin White, who has missed the last few games with a quad injury, was a healthy scratch against Green Bay. We all thought that due to the improved play at linebacker with KJ Britt and JJ Russell, Bowles went with the guys that are making plays on defense.
That was not the case. Bowles talked about the Devin White situation after the game. “We made him inactive based on him saying he couldn’t go today,” Bowles said. When pressed further, Bowles suggested that the media ask Devin White why he couldn’t go.
Rumors are swirling around the Buccaneers locker room that White’s attitude and how he has carried himself the last month have not sat well with some players.
Neither Britt nor Russell has White’s closing speed, but they rarely make mistakes and are seldom caught out of position or miss an assignment, as was the case with Devin White many times this season.
It’s no coincidence that the Buccaneers have won three in a row with White not in the lineup.
Buccaneers are Peaking at the Right Time
The Bucs will return home next week to play the Jacksonville Jaguars, a fellow Florida team, in another must-win game. This will also be a critical game for the Jaguars, battling for their playoff lives.
Depending on the outcome of their game with Baltimore on Sunday Night, they could be in a three-way tie with Indianapolis and Houston in the AFC South.
In his post-game press conference, Mayfield talked about the importance of December football and taking the games one at a time. “I’ll be honest with you: December games are all important. This one was very important. But this one won’t matter unless we hit the reset button and go on to next week. It isn’t more special than any of the others. It’s the most important now, but enjoy it and we’ll move onto next week.”
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are peaking at just the right time.