Baker Mayfield Takes Accountability as Buccaneers' Offense Falters in Costly Collapse vs. Falcons
After a gut-punch of a loss to the Falcons, one that saw the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cough up a 14-point fourth-quarter lead, Baker Mayfield didn’t point fingers. He pointed thumbs-at himself.
While many outside the locker room were quick to question the defense and, by extension, head coach Todd Bowles, Mayfield stepped up postgame-and again in midweek media availability-to make one thing clear: the offense let this one slip away.
“In a game like that... like I said postgame, it comes down to the offense,” Mayfield said. “You're up two scores, you have a chance to put the game away and you don't.
The easy thing to do is point at the defense, because their situation is the last thing you see in the game. But if you look at the whole game, you look at the way it played, blame me, don't blame Todd.”
That’s a quarterback owning the moment, and it’s worth unpacking why he might be right.
Missed Opportunities, Missed Statement
Tampa Bay had a chance to slam the door shut midway through the fourth. Up by eight, they were driving into Atlanta territory with all the momentum and a golden opportunity to make it a two-possession game.
That kind of drive-late in the game, clock ticking, defense on its heels-is where good teams assert themselves. Instead, the Bucs stalled.
That failure opened the door, and the Falcons didn’t hesitate. A touchdown drive, a missed two-point conversion, and suddenly the Bucs’ lead was down to two.
Still, with over three minutes left, Tampa Bay had a chance to close it out. A few first downs, and the game’s over.
Instead? Six plays.
Eight yards. Punt.
That’s not how you finish games in December, not when you’re fighting for a division title.
Mayfield’s Season Has Taken a Turn
The loss to Atlanta wasn’t just a one-off. It’s become part of a troubling trend for both Mayfield and the Bucs.
Through the first nine games of the season, Mayfield was playing some of the most efficient football of his career. A 16-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio, a 6-3 team record-he was managing games, making plays, and keeping Tampa in the thick of the NFC South race.
But the last five weeks have told a different story. Mayfield has thrown six touchdowns and five interceptions over that stretch, and the Bucs have gone 1-4.
The offense has lacked rhythm, and the big plays have dried up. The timing, the decisiveness-both have looked off.
And when your quarterback cools off, the whole team feels it.
Still in the Hunt - But Margin for Error Is Gone
Here’s the good news: the season isn’t over. Not even close.
At 7-7, the Bucs are still tied for first in the NFC South. And their final three games?
All winnable. Two of them are against Carolina, who shares that 7-7 record.
The other is a road trip to Miami, where the Dolphins are 6-8 and reeling after a blowout loss in Pittsburgh.
If Mayfield can rediscover that early-season form-efficient, smart, and opportunistic-the Bucs have a very real shot to run the table. Do that, and they’re NFC South champs.
Do that, and Todd Bowles likely keeps his job. Do that, and the narrative around this team shifts from "collapse" to "resilience."
But if the offensive struggles continue, and if Mayfield can’t get back on track, the season could end with more frustration-and more questions about where this team goes next.
For now, Mayfield’s putting the responsibility on his shoulders. Now it’s time to see if he can carry the weight-and carry the Bucs into the postseason.