Every game counts for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons as they battle for the NFC South division title and a playoff berth. Luckily, the Buccaneers gained the upper hand after the Falcons lost to the Washington Commanders. Tampa Bay is one game ahead of Atlanta after an impressive victory over another division rival, the Carolina Panthers.
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is a massive reason for that victory, finishing the game with 27 completions for 359 yards and five touchdowns. He became the fifth player in NFL history to have at least 350 passing yards, five touchdown passes, a passer rating of at least 150, and a completion percentage of at least 80 percent in a game.
Baker Mayfield keeps the Buccaneers playoff hopes alive with a dominating performance over the Panthers! pic.twitter.com/12GpI6VxM9
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 29, 2024
Mayfield hasn’t ducked (pun intended) any opposition this season, leading him to register 386 completions for 4,279 yards and 39 touchdowns in 16 games. Meanwhile, his five touchdowns against the Panthers match Deshaun Watson’s total touchdown passes this season. The Cleveland Browns signed Watson to a five-year, $230 million contract and let Mayfield leave.
More importantly, the Buccaneers control their fate in the NFC playoffs. A victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 18 would win them the division and a home game in the Wild Card Round. As the division winner with the fourth-best record, the Buccaneers could host the loser of the Week 18 Detroit Lions-Minnesota Vikings game.
However, Mayfield is peaking at the right time with consecutive 300-yard games. Playing at home during the postseason could give them the confidence to defeat whichever team with a better record in that Wild Card matchup.
-Lance Fernandez