Baker Mayfield Between the Numbers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield was awfully dangerous in his week 15 passing clinic against the Green Bay Packers. The week 15 NFC Offensive Player of the week had a day, in the air, that made the 2017 Heisman winner live up to his 2018 1st-overall Draft selection.
Against the Green Pay Packers, Baker Mayfield went 22 of 28 (78.6%) for 381 yards and 4 touchdowns. He had a 14.3% touchdown percentage and ended the day with the highest possible quarterback rating allowed, 158.3. However, the most unbelievable stat of the day came on throws between the numbers.
On Throws Between the Numbers, Baker Mayfield:
- Completed 12 of 14 passes
- Threw for 256 of his total 381 yards
- Had 18.3 yards per attempt completed
- With an overall success rate of 85.3%
- With a 1.72 EPA (Expected Point Average) – Which is 5 times better than league leader Brock Purdy
- All 12 of those completions went for first down
Baker Mayfield had more yards, completed between the numbers alone, than 20 other week 15 quarterbacks had overall. Highly efficient to say the least. The Buccaneers offense, led by coordinator Dave Canales, typically doesn’t do near this well. At the end of week 15, the Buccaneers offense currently ranks as the league’s 23rd best offense. The Bucs average 314 yards per game and 21 points per game total.
Baker Mayfield’s current 2023 season total is as follows. Mayfield has thrown for 3,115 yards (13th), 24 touchdowns (T-8), 54.9 QBR (17th).
Baker Mayfield carved up the Green Bay defense, without question, but what kid of defense does Green Bay have? The Packers defense currently ranks 10th overall in team defense and 21st overall in passing defense (211.1 yards per game – 18 touchdowns).
Looking at the tape, and Baker Mayfield’s NFL Next Gen Stats passing chart, it’s clear to see that he favored the middle of the field, particularly on mid level crossers. 5 of his mid-field passes were under 10 yards when completed, 3 were between 10-15 yards, 3 were beyond 15 yards, and one was actually behind the line of scrimmage (screen). 3 of his 12 mid-field passes went for a touchdown, including an impressive 52 yard bomb to WR David Moore.
Overall it was a great week for Baker Mayfield. Between the numbers however, he was simply unbelievable. Anytime a guy can find a way to be five times better than San Fransisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, in any stat, you know they’ve had an elite performance. What does this mean for the quarterback long-term though? Baker Mayfield is a potential free agent at the end of the year and a performance like this will make the Bucs take a long look at their quarterback leadership moving forward.
A case can be made for the Bucs to extend Baker’s tenure with the franchise and optimize their defense to support the quarterback’s efforts moving forward. Future hall of fame, TE Mike Evans, isn’t getting any younger and the talent pool around Baker isn’t the best in the league. As of right now however, the Bucs look poised to make a run at the division crown and face a potential matchup with the Cowboys or Eagles in the first round at home.
Those questions for the Bucs, and Baker, can’t wait. As for right now, both sides are glad the NFC Offensive Player of the week is a Buccaneer.
Week 15 highlights here