TAMPA — Baker Mayfield defeated the Panthers and the Raiders the past two weeks despite combining to throw four interceptions and losing a fumble.
But the Bucs quarterback doesn’t just smile at his own mistakes and push forward. First he has to beat himself, the toughest opponent he’s ever faced.
“I’m not a great example of positive self-talk,” Mayfield said Wednesday.
That especially was true after his second interception in Sunday’s 28-13 win over the Raiders.
It came on second and 1 from the Raiders' 20-yard line when he forced a pass to tight end Cade Otton that was intercepted by Las Vegas defensive back Jack Jones.
But after a harsh personal critique, Mayfield was able to reset and lead the Bucs to 14 unanswered points, including a 29-yard touchdown pass to rookie Jalen McMillan.
“Just hit the reset button,” Mayfield said. “Go through and look at the pictures on the sideline and move on. We need everybody to do their job each play. I have to be the tone setter when it comes to that. If I’m making g a bad play, it’s the next one. Let’s move on. Make it happen.”
That’s exactly what Mayfield did in the fourth quarter and overtime at Carolina.
After Panthers quarterback Bryce Young threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Adam Thielen to give Carolina a 23-20 lead with 30 seconds remaining in the game, Mayfield completed three passes and scrambled 10 yards to set up Chase McLaughlin’s 51-yard field goal to send the game to overtime.
When linebacker Anthony Nelson forced a fumble, Mayfield drove the Bucs 59 yards in five plays, and McLaughlin kicked the winning 30-yard field goal.
![Bucs head coach Todd Bowles congratulates quarterback Baker Mayfield after he throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Jalen McMillan during the fourth quarter last Sunday against the Raiders.](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 620 413"/%3E)
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles congratulates quarterback Baker Mayfield after he throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Jalen McMillan during the fourth quarter last Sunday against the Raiders. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]
How does Mayfield reset after committing costly turnovers?
“It’s the mentality of the next play is the most important,” Mayfield said. “Then it comes down to in the game situations, things you really want to go over mentally throughout the week. Obviously, that helps with experience and time. But we cover those situations. You understand where you want to get the ball, where you want to do it. Obviously, sometimes it’s a chaotic situation but heightened awareness. You don’t want to let the situation dictate what you’re feeling.”
Overall Mayfield is having an outstanding season. His 28 touchdowns are tied for third in the NFL with the Vikings’ Sam Darnold and behind only the Bengals' Joe Burrow (33) and the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson (29) while matching his career high from a year ago.
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But his 13 interceptions are the most he’s thrown since 2021 with the Browns.
Turnovers are one thing. But what really drives head coach Todd Bowles crazy are red-zone turnovers.
“We have to understand, especially when we’re in the red zone and we’re in the scoring territory, we can’t turn it over,” Bowles said. “That’s No. 1. You don’t like the turnovers, period. Every now and then they can happen, but we have to do a better job taking care of the football as an offensive staff, period. ...
“It’s not just on Baker, it’s on everybody.”
The Chargers have the No. 1 scoring defense in the NFL, allowing fewer than 16 points per game.
Mayfield will have his hands full, especially avoiding the pass rush with players such as Khalil Mack, Bud Dupree and Joey Bosa coming off the bench.
“They play really, really hard,” Mayfield said of the Chargers. “Obviously, they have great players. I think (safety) Derwin James is playing the best ball of his career right now. They’re using him really well and then obviously, the guys up front. They’ve got some stars up there and I think the secondary as a whole is playing well. Not letting things behind them. They’re coached well, they fly to the ball, keep things in front to them and play for each other.”
But the Bucs are nothing if not resilient. For a second straight season, they have dug out of a hole to retake the lead in the NFC South.
Mayfield’s ability to erase memories of his mistakes has a lot to do with the players surrounding him.
“It’s an unbelievable group and that’s what made me want to come back here,” he said. “I wanted that just because of the kind of group we have. The key pieces here. The culture that’s been set far before I was here ... for guys to hit the reset button and say if I just do my job and we play for each other and play together, good things are going to happen.
“That’s what makes these guys so special.”
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