The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off a very tough divisional loss this past week now making week 18 a must win to get into the playoffs and have a home game because of winning their division. Baker Mayfield has a great season so far and has been nothing short of amazing in his first year with the team making many think that he is the solution at quarterback going forward.
The Bucs have a chance to have a home playoff game, something no one thought they would get at the beginning of the year. The NFL is a league of major parity and for Baker this is huge comeback story that you can’t help but feel good for him and wish him success.
There is an underrated story heading in to their final game of the year against the imploding Carolina Panthers this week. While this team does not need anymore motivation for this game, as they win they get to the NFL playoffs, Baker may have a little extra motivation in facing his former team.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield Facing His Former Team
Baker has had nothing short of tumultuous NFL career so far but has managed to turn it around in a big way this year with his new team. Baker can not only take his team to a division title and to the post season but he can do by going through a team that cut him and felt that he was not good enough for them.
This is a game that can give Baker just the right revenge he needs going into the post season. There is no doubt that the locker room will be rallying behind him in what is basically a playoff game for them this week. If they can get to the NFL playoffs, there will be all the more reason for the team to commit to Baker for at least the next few seasons.
Mike Evans has benefitted as well from Bakers play as he has continued his record breaking 1000 yards per season streak this year. At many times throughout the year the Bucs have looked better than last season when they had Legendary quarterback Tom Brady at the helm.
While this is definitely a very winnable game, there are no handouts in the NFL and the Bucs will have to be ready to go if they want to finish their Cinderella regular season and punch their ticket to the playoffs. For Baker however, he may have just a bit of extra motivation to not only get this team to the post season, but to do it by beating his former team to get there.
#Bucs QB Baker Mayfield said he's pretty sore.
"Just one of those things that's tender. I've dealt with rib injuries before. Rest and just as as the week goes on otherwise helps."
On if he'll play Sunday:
"I'll do everything I can to be out there. That's for sure. Division on… pic.twitter.com/XqwzXyFjlJ
— PewterReport 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) January 3, 2024
