Things did not go according to plan for Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, as the slumping team dropped yet another important regular-season matchup. The Bucs have now lost seven of their last eight games, leaving many questioning both what has gone wrong and whether this team even deserves a postseason berth.
The Buccaneers had an opportunity to help their playoff push in Week 17 by securing a victory against the Miami Dolphins. Unfortunately for Baker and company, the club fell 20-17 to rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers. That said, it is not all doom and gloom, as they still have an opportunity to clinch the NFC South.
Baker Mayfield Remains Confident Ahead of Winner-Take-All Showdown With Carolina
Part of the reason the Buccaneers lost to the Dolphins was Mayfield’s three turnovers, including two interceptions. However, the veteran quarterback is not panicking ahead of Week 18. Like a true leader, the 30-year-old kept a cool head and struck an optimistic tone during his postgame press conference.
“It’s about us; it’s about executing. Listen, to have a chance at home to get into the playoffs and win the division, wouldn’t have it any other way. Obviously, the things leading up to it — yeah, we’d love to change them — but we still have a chance,” Mayfield told the media on Sunday afternoon. “Playing for the division at home, and I’ll get this group ready.”
Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield: “Like Todd said — ‘Erase it.’ It’s about us, it’s about executing. Listen, to have a chance at home to get into playoffs and win the division, wouldn’t have it any other way. Obviously the things leading up to it — yeah, we’d love to change them,… pic.twitter.com/14AROxHKLz
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) December 28, 2025
The Bucs need to correct things sooner rather than later, as the team has not looked anywhere close to the powerhouse it was earlier in the season. Tampa Bay has struggled on both sides of the ball, yet even with its back against the wall, Mayfield remains confident the team can get the job done at home in Week 18.
“Out of bullets, out of lives. And that’s alright with me,” Mayfield said when asked about the urgency of the team.
Following the Carolina Panthers’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, the NFC South race will come down to Week 18. The winner of the matchup will secure the division title and a postseason berth.
The two teams met just two weeks ago, with the Panthers earning a 23-20 victory on a late field goal by kicker Ryan Fitzgerald. The closeness of that matchup suggests an electric atmosphere in Tampa Bay, with a playoff spot hanging on every snap.
