In Week Eight against the Atlanta Falcons, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers responded to the potentially-debilitating absences of wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans by ringing up 423 yards and 24 first downs on offense. They converted nine of 14 third downs and, for the third game in a row, surpassed both 300 yards passing and 100 yards rushing.
Unfortunately, all that added up to a 31-26 loss. Despite moving the ball practically at will throughout the game, the Buccaneers couldn't quite keep pace on the scoreboard because two of their drives ended on interceptions inside the Falcons' 10-yard line. The first drive of the game lasted just two plays (and 13 yards) due to a fumble and another one ended in a failed fake punt attempt.
The one thing those four drives had in common: None of them included a kick of any kind. No extra point, no field goal, no field-positioning punt. Now the Bucs get ready to take on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs – who despite more pedestrian offensive numbers than usual have the ability to spark up a shootout any weekend – and they know they can't afford many drives without a kick.
"In critical games like this … you go back to the trying-to-end-every-drive-in-a-kick type mentality," said quarterback Baker Mayfield. Some of them might be field position, might have to punt a couple times but don't get frustrated in that. For us, it's do what we can control, and I think we look at the tapes of the games we haven't won. Offensively we just haven't played great and so it's nothing against other teams, but it's execution, doing everything right when we need to, and just all the little details adding up. For us, it's trying to do our job and trying to score every single time but you know, in games like these, in a big time match up, stay positive but play smart football."
View pictures from Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice on 10/31/2024.
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Offensive Lineman Robert Hainsey #70 and Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Punter Jack Browning #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Pass Game Coordinator/Inside Linebackers Coach Larry Foote of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Long Snapper Evan Deckers #86 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Kicker Chase McLaughlin #4 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Punter Trenton Gill #16 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Defensive Lineman Logan Hall #90 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Guard Luke Goedeke #67 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Tight End Payne Durham #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Guard Luke Goedeke #67, Guard Cody Mauch #69, Center Graham Barton #62, Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6, Guard Ben Bredeson #68, and Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Center Graham Barton #62 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Wide Receivers Coach Bryan McClendon and Wide Receiver Rakim Jarrett #18 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Defensive Tackle Vita Vea #50 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Defensive Lineman Logan Hall #90 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen and Pass Game Coordinator Josh Grizzard of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach Kacy Rodgers of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Running Back Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Senior Offensive Assistant Tom Moore of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Safety Rashad Wisdom #38 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Pass Game Coordinator/Inside Linebackers Coach Larry Foote of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Defensive Back Josh Hayes #32 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Cornerback Tyrek Funderburk #24 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Cornerback Tyrek Funderburk #24 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - \551\ during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Inside Linebacker K.J. Britt #52 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Inside Linebacker K.J. Britt #52 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Linebacker Vi Jones #53 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Inside Linebacker K.J. Britt #52 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Wide Receiver Rakim Jarrett #18 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Wide Receiver Marquez Callaway #85 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Wide Receiver Tanner Knue #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Wide Receivers Coach Bryan McClendon of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Wide Receiver Rakim Jarrett #18 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Wide Receiver Ryan Miller #81 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Wide Receiver Trey Palmer #10 and Wide Receiver Jalen McMillan #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Guard Cody Mauch #69 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Cornerback Keenan Isaac #21 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Guard Ben Bredeson #68 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Running Back Sean Tucker #44 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 31, 2024 - Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' cleats during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mayfield leads the NFL with 21 touchdown passes and is second with 2,189 yards. However, after throwing just two interceptions across the first five games of the season, he has been picked off seven times in the last three. Some of those were perfectly acceptable passes that got deflected, and sometimes an opposing defender just makes an elite play, like Atlanta safety Jessie Bates did on an attempted fleaflicker last Sunday. But Mayfield has taken responsibility for the turnovers and knows he has to keep them to a minimum, especially against an opponent like Kansas City.
"There's always a fine line of balancing the aggression and protecting the football," he said. "When you have your shots, you have to take advantage of them but if they're not there, do the safe thing, chuck it down, get out of the play, move on to the next down and live to play another down. And like you said, in a game like this, being smart with the football is the most important thing and going from there."
On Thursday, Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles praised Mahomes, saying, "He knows what to do to win the game. Bowles said Mahomes was the type of player who is looking for wins, not stats (Kansas City's current situation bears that out), and called that a rare quality in a quarterback. That's exactly the way Mayfield wants to play the game, too.
"I mean, that aspect of it – yes, but I care about wins," said Mayfield when asked if he was pleased to have a league-leading 21 touchdown passes. "We've had success in the pass game but we're just trying to find ways to win. I think there's a lot of plays that probably some of those stats should be better, but the one stat that should be better is wins and that's what I'm focused on."
