Mayfield Owns Up, But Can the Buccaneers Really Blame Him for Their Devastating OT Loss to the Falcons?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans are left reeling after a crushing 36-30 overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night Football, and while many are likely replaying the final moments of the game in their heads, Baker Mayfield is pointing to an earlier, overlooked play as a pivotal moment in the collapse. While fans may be focusing on the Bucs’ defensive breakdowns and key mistakes, Mayfield is calling attention to one critical missed opportunity that has haunted him since the final whistle blew.
The Buccaneers’ Pro Bowl quarterback is lamenting a missed deep pass to former college teammate Sterling Shepard late in the first quarter. Had he connected with Shepard on that throw, Tampa Bay could have put seven points on the board rather than settling for a 53-yard field goal from Chase McLaughlin. That one moment, in Mayfield’s mind, could have changed the entire trajectory of the game.
“Maybe it shouldn’t have even been an overtime situation,” a regretful Mayfield said in his postgame interview, as reported by ESPN’s Jenna Laine. It’s a noble sentiment, taking full accountability for a play many might have already forgotten. But Mayfield’s one misfire was hardly the primary reason the Buccaneers blew a winnable NFC South showdown against a Falcons team that seemed destined to lose until Tampa Bay’s own missteps gave them new life.
Defensive Woes: A Collapsing Unit
While Mayfield is focused on his early-game mistake, the Buccaneers’ defense should be staring in the mirror. Throughout the game, the defense failed to deliver when it mattered most, particularly during Atlanta’s improbable game-tying drive at the end of regulation. Head coach Todd Bowles, known for his defensive genius, was left searching for answers as his unit crumbled under the pressure. Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins picked apart the Buccaneers’ conservative coverage, aided by missed tackles and poor defensive execution.
This breakdown in the secondary left Atlanta just enough room for their kicker, Younghoe Koo, to drill a clutch 52-yard field goal, sending the game into overtime. At that moment, it felt like the Buccaneers were handing victory to the Falcons on a silver platter.
And they weren’t done gifting Atlanta opportunities. In the extra period, the Buccaneers’ defense faltered again, allowing KhaDarel Hodge—a journeyman receiver stepping in for the injured Drake London—to break free for a 45-yard touchdown, sealing the game. It was a stunning conclusion that felt both avoidable and emblematic of the larger issues plaguing Tampa Bay’s defense this season.
Offense Struggles: Fumbles and Missed Opportunities
The Buccaneers’ defensive collapse wasn’t the only reason they blew this game. Rookie running back Bucky Irving also shares a hefty portion of the blame after his late-game fumble at the Falcons’ 25-yard line. With the Bucs driving and in position to seal the win, Irving’s mistake crushed Tampa Bay’s hopes of closing out the game in regulation. Even if the drive hadn’t ended in a touchdown, a chip-shot field goal would have likely iced the victory. Instead, the Bucs were left scrambling, and their season slipped a little further out of control.
Mayfield isn’t shifting the blame, though. He’s stepping up and fully embracing his role as the team’s leader, putting the onus on himself to deliver in critical moments. Even though the veteran quarterback threw for 180 yards and three touchdowns on 19-of-24 passing—numbers that would make most quarterbacks proud—he still feels he came up short when it mattered most.
“All I care about is wins,” Mayfield said bluntly. “We’ve gotta find a way to finish that out on offense.” It’s a statement that reflects his commitment to improving, but also highlights the larger issues facing this team. Despite Mayfield’s solid performance, the Buccaneers couldn’t close the deal, and that’s what stings the most for fans and players alike.
Can the Buccaneers Turn It Around?
This overtime defeat leaves Tampa Bay at 3-2 on the season, a record that feels far more precarious than it sounds. The Bucs have aspirations of extending their playoff streak to a franchise-record five straight seasons, but if they’re going to achieve that, they need to clean up their act fast. The defense has to step up in key moments, the offense must eliminate costly mistakes, and Mayfield needs to find a way to elevate the team when the game is on the line.
Next up for the Buccaneers is a pivotal Week 6 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints, sitting at 2-2, are right on Tampa Bay’s heels in the NFC South. This is the kind of game that can define a season, and the Bucs can’t afford another collapse like the one they suffered in Atlanta.
Tampa Bay will need to tighten up on both sides of the ball if they hope to compete in what is shaping up to be a competitive division. Mayfield, for all his self-criticism, has shown flashes of brilliance, and if he can rally his team and fix the minor details that have plagued them, the Buccaneers could still make a run for the division title.
But one thing is certain: the margin for error is razor-thin, and this team has no time to waste.
