Baker Mayfield’s “Gutsy, Tough” Play Leads To Week 1 Win

Sometimes, you need to preheat the oven before your food can be fully baked.

Case in point: the Bucs’ offense. It needed to be preheated for much of the first half before Baker Mayfield connected with Mike Evans for a 28-yard touchdown during the two-minute drill and they really turned up the temperature in the second half.

After starting the game by completing 3-of-12 passes (25%) for just 12 yards, Mayfield finished the game by completing 18-of-22 passes (81.8%) for 161 yards and two touchdowns. In his postgame press conference, he alluded that it was not the “prettiest start,” but the Bucs got it done as they head out of Minnesota 1-0 to begin the 2023 season after beating the Vikings 20-17.

Baker Mayfield Overcame Early Offensive Struggles

After the game, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles was impressed with how quarterback Baker Mayfield played through early adversity to keep the team in the game and ultimately walk out of U.S. Bank Stadium victorious.

It wasn’t easy.

“Schematically, they gave us a hard time in the beginning,” Bowles said. “They did some things we had to get used to. I thought the adjustments Dave [Canales] made at halftime were outstanding. We started moving the ball some, we stuck with it. Those guys are gritty, it’s a tough win. Tough place to play.”

More than just the adjustments made by Canales, it was Mayfield making adjustments in the chess match the offense played against Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

“Baker’s gutsy, he’s tough, Bowles added. “The guys stayed behind him. The great thing is when he was having problems, he wasn’t turning it over. He kept [us] in the game, he wasn’t turning the ball over. The [offense] stuck with it, they made some plays, and he made some gutsy runs at the end. The offensive line came through for him, the receivers showed up, and it was a great team win.”

The most important thing to playing quarterback for Bowles and Canales is protecting the football. Mayfield did that and the Bucs won the turnover battle 3:0.

Bucs Head Coach Todd Bowles: “Baker’s A Winner”

Diving deeper into Baker Mayfield’s performance, it was his demonstration of toughness and poise late in the game during the last two drives that helped secure the victory.

With the Bucs moving down the field tied 17-17 in the fourth quarter, Mayfield showed off his stiff arm to Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. to pick up five yards. He then connected with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans for 16 and 6 yards respectively, putting kicker Chase McLaughlin in position to attempt a 57-yard field goal, which he did to give Tampa Bay a 20-17 lead.

But to hold onto the win, the Bucs’ offense needed to run out the clock with just under four minutes left. One key play was on a crucial third-and-3. As the pocket collapsed around him, Mayfield scrambled towards the right sideline to pick up four yards and the first down, taking a big hit from undrafted rookie inside linebacker Ivan Pace in the process.

There was one more first down to convert, however, with the Bucs facing a third-and-10 just after the two-minute warning. Mayfield was not deterred, and he connected with wide receiver Chris Godwin for 11 yards to secure the victory.

As Bowles alluded to, that is why guys rally around Mayfield.

“That was huge for us,” Bowles said. “Getting us in the right plays, Baker in the second half adjusting to what they were doing. It was huge for him as well. He played a gutsy, tough, mentally tough ballgame. And to make that throw at the end to Chris right there, without even flinching. He was hit a few times, but he stuck with it. Baker’s a winner, he’s done this before. The guys really love to rally around him.”

Baker Mayfield Helped Cook Up A Bucs Victory

After the game, Baker Mayfield spoke on various players coming through when it mattered most.

“You can always look back after a game, a close game like this, a few plays here and there that are really going to be the difference,” Mayfield said. “That last play – Chris [Godwin] caught that ball with just his fingertips. Incredible catch by him, sealing the deal. Just can’t say enough about our guys, just playing the next play.

“It wasn’t our prettiest effort by any means, but we finished the right way. We finished with the ball in our hands, and we talked about that coming in here and that’s how we wanted to do it. Hats off to our defense, and also Chase [McLaughlin] as well. 57-yarder, that’s pretty impressive.”

From his time in college with the Sooners to stops with the Browns, Panthers, and Rams in the NFL, Baker Mayfield has learned a valuable skill. That is moving on from a bad play immediately and allowing the whole game to tell the story. He showed that throughout Sunday afternoon.

“That just comes with time, Mayfield added. “Playing quarterback for a long time; the most important play is the next one. You harp on the last one, good or bad, you’re going to affect the outcome of the next. You can always make up for it, the game’s not over until that clock hits zero and I think that’s where that mentality comes from.”

The Bucs will look to grow and build on their Week 1 victory next Sunday against the Bears, but what did this win tell them?

Does it show outsiders that they aren’t ready to put down their swords? Can they really win without Tom Brady?

Well, it just shows what they have been telling themselves inside the locker room and during meetings for months now.

“It told us what we knew all along – we can go in and win the ballgame,” Bowles said. “Again, if I paid attention to it, I would actually have something to say but I don’t.”