The Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered their second straight loss and fifth defeat in their last six games, causing them to fall to 7-7 on the season and out of the playoff picture.
Baker Mayfield and company entered their Thursday Night Football showdown with the Atlanta Falcons boasting a 7-6 record, which placed them at the top of the NFC South and fourth overall in the conference.
However, the Falcons shocked them with a 29-28 victory, causing the Bucs to fall to ninth in the NFC.
Mayfield struggled in the game. While he recorded 277 yards and two touchdowns on 19-of-34 pass completion, he was sacked five times and was intercepted once. His interception was particularly crucial, as it gave Atlanta the chance for a comeback when Tampa Bay was ahead 28-20.
Falcons defensive back Dee Alford picked Mayfield, and the team was able to score on the next drive, capped off by Kirk Cousins’ seven-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Pitts. While Atlanta’s two-point conversion attempt failed, the squad was able to win with Zane Gonzalez’s 43-yard walk-off field goal.
Following the loss, Mayfield was naturally frustrated, and he didn’t hide his disappointment while speaking to the media. However, he emphasized that he’s the one to blame for the defeat.
“It falls on my shoulders,” Mayfield said. “Can’t turn the ball over, can’t have that interception. And then, just gotta hit [Emeka Egbuka] in stride on that third down,” Mayfield stated.
“Listen, you can say what you want about being up two scores and the defense right there, but we have to be better on offense, and it comes down to how I play. And this one’s gonna haunt me. This falls on my shoulders.”
Several fans showed respect to Mayfield for taking accountability; however, many also noticed how his play has declined compared to the start of the season, when the Buccaneers got off to a 7-2 record.
“Baker has regressed throughout the season. Not the same player he was in Q1 of 2025 when he looked like an MVP candidate,” a commenter wrote. Another critic said, “You suck.”
“That INT was abhorrent. And then he had the chance to put the game away before the 2-minute warning and threw behind the receiver,” a follower added.
A supporter, however, mentioned, “Baker’s owning it like a pro—takes the blame publicly but keeps grinding. That’s leadership. Bucs still have a shot at playoffs if he rebounds; his 68% completion rate holds up vs Falcons secondary. Tape shows he can bounce back.”
“Baker is a stand up dude,” a fan stated.
The Bucs will meet the Carolina Panthers next in a game that will have huge implications for the playoff picture. Following Tampa Bay’s drop in the standings, Carolina took the division lead and the No. 4 spot in the NFC.
Mayfield and the Bucs will need to win the showdown to get back into postseason contention.
