Put’em-On-Your-Back Game For Baker Mayfield
October 15th, 2023
Up to Baker?
One mark of a great quarterback is that he will somewhat single-handedly win his team two games a year.
As an example, Joe is thinking of Tom Brady squaring off in Week 4 of the 2020 season with Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
With the Bucs trailing 24-7 in the second quarter, Brady put the team on his back and planted his Goat flag in the center of the stadium then known as the Den of Depression (because of the Bucs’ gruesome home record for the previous 11 years). Brady finished the day with five touchdown passes and the Bucs escaped with a 38-31 victory.
Brady put the Bucs on his back. And that’s exactly what Sage of Tampa Bay Sports Ira Kaufman, the venerable JoeBucsFan.com columnist, says Baker Mayfield must do today for the Bucs to emerge victorious against the 4-1 Lions, winners of 12 of their last 15 games.
Kaufman was clear on his podcast that this is one of those days for Mayfield.
Yeah, the rest of the Bucs must do their jobs, but Kaufman says no Mayfield heroics would equal no Bucs victory. Somehow, per The Sage, Mayfield needs to have a special day.
Joe is not 100 percent on board with the take, but it’s tough to argue against.
The Bucs will be fortunate to hold Detroit to 23 points, six points below Detroit’s season average. So that probably means the Bucs will need a few Mayfield touchdown passes to win today, considering Detroit’s very stout run defense and the Bucs’ woes when they hand off.
Man, if Mayfield comes up with a big game within a big Bucs win, the hype surrounding him will be extraordinary.
Ira Kaufman Talks Locker Room Chatter At One Buc, Lions Game On Baker Mayfield’s Back, Sunday Predictions, Jared Goff-Todd Bowles History, And More
October 15th, 2023 at 10:08 am
LFG!
And change that typo Joe… *will his team to victory.
October 15th, 2023 at 10:09 am
It’s a “get your ‘record’ up boy” type game for Baker today and has the chance to do it donned in creamsicle glory!
October 15th, 2023 at 10:10 am
Actually, I guess it’s not a typo Lol.
Either way, huge chance to legitimize ourselves today if we can beat the Lions.
LFG!!!
October 15th, 2023 at 10:10 am
Bucs probably won’t win this game because of Mayfield heroics- they’ll probably win because of great Defense.
But they could lose this game because of Offensive miscues
October 15th, 2023 at 10:27 am
Great Stats on 3rd Down but if the 53% that they don’t convert are the first of the drive or in the Red Zone it’s a 3 and Out or a drive ending in a Field Goal.
Similar to throwing for 400 w/ 3 Tuddies and losing. Another worthless stat used to look more impressive than it really is.
October 15th, 2023 at 11:00 am
I agree with Ira, if White doesn’t improve. If White can hit the holes and break off a couple of long (20+ yards) runs, as well as numerous 4 and 5 yard runs, Mayfield won’t need to be a hero.
October 15th, 2023 at 11:09 am
Cover all your bases Alan.
October 15th, 2023 at 11:13 am
Mayfield hasn’t shown he can carry this team to a win. I’m ready for it to happen and I hope he doesn’t have to this game. LFG.
October 15th, 2023 at 11:15 am
Win the turnover battle, +2, in turnovers. Offensively we need to be successful on 1st down, getting 4 yards on first down. Defensively, we need a pass rush without needing to blitz.
October 15th, 2023 at 11:51 am
This team doesnt need Baker heroics to win. Its kinda why they are successful now. There is talent at the other positions. Win the turnover game, be efficient on 3rd down and in the red zone, dont beat yourself. We dont pay Baker $4million to be Tom Brady this season. I would argue that if the heroics had to come from just one player today, that player would be Antoine Winfield Jr.
October 15th, 2023 at 12:04 pm
31-17. Bucs.
October 15th, 2023 at 12:05 pm
I’m not sure why the consistent Baker-dissing remains. Through 4 games, he’s shown he’s one of the better QB’s in the league
October 15th, 2023 at 12:53 pm
Guess you forgot about the Vikings game huh Since 76? Defense getting torched all day and then two specific run plays by Baker triggered the entire team and they won. I’m not entirely sold on Baker because of the Eagles game, but he is a baller and can keep us in the game IF the defense can get off the field soon enough with some 3&outs something they couldn’t do against the Eagles. At least Baker showed he doesn’t give up. Today he’s going to need atleast 4tds.
October 15th, 2023 at 4:25 pm
Beej, answer; lack of humility!
David, to add, it was baker who picked up the bikes secondary calls and made the adjustments on routes with his receivers. Something by the way he’s doing every single game!
October 15th, 2023 at 7:00 pm
How’d that work out for ya?
October 16th, 2023 at 5:06 am
Umm not exactly
Go Bucs!