In his first season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, QB Baker Mayfield has led the team to a division title and playoff berth. Is this the first time Mayfield has played in the NFL playoffs?
Baker Mayfield Playoff History
After playing for three teams last season, Mayfield has found success in Tampa Bay.
“There’s been a lot in the past couple years that I’ve gone through,” Mayfield said on the field after Tampa Bay’s last game. “Just trusting God’s plan, and see where it takes me.
“This is the most fun I’ve had playing football in a long time, and I can’t say enough about this organization that I’m with right now. And I’m thankful that we’ve got another week to see what happens, and I’m so happy about that.”
This, however, will not be the first time Mayfield will compete in an NFL playoff game. He had a successful season in 2020 when he led the Cleveland Browns to their first playoff appearance since 2002 and first playoff victory since 1994.
The Browns finished the 2020 regular season 11–5. On Wild Card Weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mayfield went 21 of 34 for 263 yards and three touchdowns during the 48–37 win. It was also the Browns’ first road playoff victory in 51 years.
In the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Kansas City Chiefs, Mayfield threw for 204 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in a 22–17 loss.
Overall, Mayfield finished the 2020 season with 4,030 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and nine interceptions through 18 total games.
This year, following the Buccaneers’ 9-0 win over the Carolina Panthers in the regular-season finale, Tampa Bay is in the playoffs with their franchise-record third consecutive division title.
Mayfield completed his best season by clinching a $1 million financial incentive through leading the Buccaneers to the playoffs — an unexpected feat, considering Tampa Bay had the worst odds of all of the NFC South teams of winning the division heading into the season.
He finished the regular season with 28 touchdown passes against 10 interceptions for 3,907 passing yards and a 64.4% completion rate. Mayfield also entered Week 18 ranked fourth in the league in touchdown passes and ninth in both passer rating and passing yards.
Additionally, he led the Buccaneers to a better record this season than Tom Brady did last year — a 9-8 record, compared to 8-9.
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The Buccaneers got off to a 4-7 start this season, but Mayfield led the team on a four-game win streak and five wins over their final six to claim the division title.
The veteran quarterback — who signed a one-year, $4 million deal during the offseason — commented on how the Buccaneers were able to make the playoffs despite being counted out early in the season.
“We have a locker room full of guys that are comfortable being counted out,” Mayfield said during the postgame press conference. “It’s when we’re most comfortable. All we wanted was a chance to get in. Now we’re here. Gotta handle it the right way.”
The Buccaneers will host the Philadelphia Eagles during Wild Card Weekend. Tampa Bay previously lost to Philadelphia in Week 3 at home by a score of 25-11, mustering a season-low 174 total yards.
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