To say that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be hosting a playoff game as NFC South champions for a fourth straight season (second with their current starting quarterback) would be folly. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has continued his renaissance this season with career highs in passing yards, touchdowns, and completion percentage.
Despite being limited to just seven drives due to a lopsided time-of-possession battle, Mayfield completed 15 of 18 passes for 185 yards, two touchdowns, and a 146.5 passer rating, a new franchise playoff record and the highest in NFL history in a postseason loss. His 2024 campaign has been defined by both electric playmaking and backbreaking mistakes, with 16 interceptions and 13 fumbles, tying him for the league lead in both categories.
In the wake of a turnover that led to a Washington command going-ahead touchdown, Mayfield led an 8-play, 61-yard drive, but was ultimately stymied by a mistake that resulted in a 2-yard loss. The tie was broken when a potential game-tying field goal attempt faded short, and quarterback Jayden Daniels orchestrated a game-winning field-goal drive that drained the remaining 4:41 off the clock. Mayfield will have the rest of the offseason to ponder his what-ifs. “Just some dumb stuff today that cost the team,” he said. “So, yeah, it’s going to wear on me for a while.”
