Baker Mayfield delivered with big throw after big throw on Sunday as he led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a crucial 34-20 win over the Green Bay Packers, helping them hold onto the NFC West’s top spot in the process.
Mayfield has been pivotal in the Bucs’ success this season, particularly of late after taking three straight wins.
Baker Mayfield Dominates Green Bay Packers
Mayfield got out to an up-and-down start in Sunday’s pivotal clash between two teams that each entered the game at 6-7 and were both very much within the NFC playoff race.
The Bucs stalled out and settled for a field goal on their opening drive after Mayfield was sacked on a third-down play in the red zone. He then fumbled on another sack that ended their second drive at Tampa Bay’s nine-yard line, setting the Packers up for their first touchdown to take an early 7-3 lead.
Mayfield was dialed in from then on, however, on his way to racking up 381 passing yards for four touchdowns with no interceptions.
It marks just Mayfield’s fourth career game tallying four or more touchdown passes with the last coming on Dec. 6, 2020, in a 41-35 win over the Tennessee Titans. He also posted the first perfect passer rating for a visiting quarterback at Lambeau Field and helped lead the Bucs to their largest point tally at Lambeau in franchise history.
Mayfield had played against the Packers twice before in his career, both times at Lambeau, losing 24-22 and 24-12 in those two meetings before finally picking up his first win in Green Bay on Sunday.
“Third time’s the charm, that’s for sure,” Mayfield said. “Our team was really prepared to come in here. Just like we talked about that mentality, the playoff mentality to come in here with one job in mind and just find a way to win. We did that. [I] just couldn’t be happier with this group.”
MORE: NFL Standings and Playoff Picture Week 15
Mayfield delivered big plays in key moments throughout the remainder of the contest after his slow start.
It began with a strong response immediately after his fumble set up the Packers’ early score. He connected on a pair of passes for 10+ yards early in the drive, then he found Mike Evans for a 19-yard touchdown pass on a 3rd-and-6 play to give the Bucs a 10-7 lead.
Mayfield then came out firing in the second half, throwing touchdown passes on each of Tampa Bay’s first three drives of the half.
He connected with Rachaad White for a 26-yard score on the opening series, found Ko Kieft for a two-yard score, and then threaded the needle to David Moore for a 52-yard touchdown pass that set the final margin with 6:30 to play.
Chris Godwin finished with 10 catches for 155 yards, while Moore had two grabs for 68 yards and a score as Evans added four catches for 57 yards and a score. White contributed two catches for 50 yards and his one score to go with 21 carries for 89 yards.
Mayfield has now thrown for 3,315 yards and 24 touchdowns with just eight interceptions this season as the man who has made it all go for the Buccaneers’ offense.
Head coach Todd Bowles told reporters after the game just how much Mayfield has meant to the team.
“He’s meant everything,” Bowles said. “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. Can’t say enough about him.”
Tampa Bay maintained its NFC West lead with the win, remaining tied with the New Orleans Saints at 7-7 while holding the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Atlanta Falcons are also not far behind at 6-8 despite losing to the now 2-12 Carolina Panthers this week.
Tampa Bay has a key rematch with the Saints coming up on Dec. 31 that could prove pivotal in how the division and playoff races ultimately shake out.
Want to predict the rest of the 2023 season with our FREE NFL Playoff Predictor? Looking for the most up-to-date NFL standings? What about a breakdown of team depth charts or the NFL schedule? Pro Football Network has you covered with that and more!
