Baker Mayfield is set to be back under center for Tampa Bay in Week 8, and the Buccaneers are getting a noticeable bump from it.
Mayfield, who missed three games with a dislocated thumb, returned in Week 7 and is off the injury report heading into Sunday’s matchup with the Atlanta Falcons. He helped Tampa Bay earn its second win of the season against Carolina, and the oddsmakers have clearly taken notice: the Buccaneers are 2.5-point favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook.
The numbers from Mayfield’s return weren’t flashy, but they were enough. Against the Panthers, he completed seven of 11 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown. In four games this season, he has completed 63.6 percent of his throws for 679 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Tampa Bay’s 1-5 start had the team on the ropes, but the win over Carolina pushed the Buccaneers back into the conversation in the NFC South. Another victory over a division opponent would give them a major boost in the playoff chase, and the ground game has picked up lately with both Mayfield and Jalon Daniels at quarterback.
Daniels helped deliver one win while Mayfield was out, but the betting market is treating Mayfield as a clear upgrade. Tampa Bay now gets Atlanta and Chicago over the next two weeks before its bye.
The Falcons enter the week one game ahead of Tampa Bay in the NFC South. If the Buccaneers win Sunday, they would move into second place in the division and sit just a half-game behind the Panthers, who are 3-4.
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