Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were humbled in front of a prime time audience on Monday Night. The Detroit Lions got out to an early lead and never let it go. A 14-3 halftime lead would grow into a 24-9 victory for Detroit. The loss dropped Tampa Bay’s record to 5-2 on the year.
Obviously, the Buccaneers are still is great position so far this season. However, their star quarterback may be facing a significant punishment from the league.
After the Buccaneers’ loss to the Lions, Baker Mayfield faces a huge punishment from the NFL for his comments on the refs
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) takes the field for warm up at Ford Field in Detroit on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) takes the field for warm up at Ford Field in Detroit on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Baker Mayfield wasn’t happy after his team lost 24-9 to the Detroit Lions on Monday night. He was especially frustrated with the referees, who left him “confused” after some of their calls:
“Third-down defensive holding call that wasn’t called, also still pretty damn confused about the double review,” Baker Mayfield told the media after the game while discussing the officiating. “A lot of things in that game that were a little questionable.”
Mayfield was referring to the referees initially ruling that Cade Otton had made a first down on 4th-and-4, then confirmed it after Lions head coach Dan Campbell challenged whether Otton had actually completed the reception. Then, however, the referees conducted a second review and determined that Otton hadn’t made the first down, giving Detroit the ball in Buccaneers’ territory.
After review the refs rule that Cade Otton was short of the 1st down marker. Successful challenge for the Lions pic.twitter.com/rr7WNudBxf
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) October 21, 2025
Oct 12, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws downfield during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Oct 12, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws downfield during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
“A lot of frustration at the end of that, might be displaced onto [referee] John Hussey in the moment, but I work my a– off and put a lot into this game, so when things that I don’t seem, are deemed fair, I’m going to let somebody know, and that’s good, bad, indifferent,” Mayfield continued, surely knowing that he would be fined for his remarks.
None other than Pat McAfee appeared to agree with Baker Mayfield’s assessment of the officiating during Monday night’s NFL game, writing on X at one point, “The NFL looking out for Detroit.. LOVE TO SEE IT.”
On the other hand, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles told the media after the game, referring to the so-called double review, that “it was an interesting call after they made it, but at the same time, we got the ball back, so it didn’t cost us anything, but it did cost us time on the clock. But that didn’t win or lose the game.”
Bowles is not wrong there. The play did indirectly lead to a 58-yard field goal by Lions kicker Jake Bates. However, that only made the game 24-9 in the Lions favor as opposed to 21-9 and the Buccaneers never did score another point, so it didn’t really matter.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) makes a pass against Detroit Lions during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) makes a pass against Detroit Lions during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025.
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