Jenna Laine
TAMPA, Fla. — Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield made what seemed like an unattainable escape on a third-and-14 play Sunday — dodging three San Francisco 49ers defenders attempting to corral him — earlier than selecting up 15 yards and a primary down on a scramble.
Then, Mayfield hit a diving Tez Johnson for a spectacular 45-yard landing move down the center of the sphere, with chants of “M-V-P! M-V-P!” erupting.
Mayfield tried to mood expectations after Tampa Bay's 30-19 victory, which propelled the Bucs to not solely a 5-1 document however the high of the NFC following the Detroit Lions' loss.
“It is Week 6,” Mayfield mentioned. “So, acquired a giant one subsequent week. It is superior to have help, do not get me unsuitable. However we're simply getting began.”
Mayfield shook off a comparability to Michael Vick sooner than he raced to the San Francisco 44-yard line to choose up the primary down.
“No, that is the primary time I've ever heard that, and hopefully, it is the final,” Mayfield mentioned. “I can not do what Mike Vick ever did.”
Then, he critiqued Johnson's end-zone-tumbling celebration.
“No. I imply, if I weighed 142 kilos, I might most likely be capable to fly, too,” Mayfield mentioned. “I have not weighed that since most likely sixth grade.”
However teammates and coaches had been critical about praising the 2018 No. 1 choose who's enjoying the perfect ball of his profession. Mayfield completed Sunday's sport with only one beginning talent participant on offense in tight finish Cade Otton, with rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka leaving the sport due to a hamstring harm.
Mayfield did not have Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Jr. or Jalen McMillan, and he was with out beginning proper guard Cody Mauch and proper sort out Luke Goedeke. The group additionally misplaced Luke Haggard, who stepped in for Mauch, due to a shoulder harm. And Mayfield was right down to his fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth receivers, with Tez Johnson and Kameron Johnson each recording the primary touchdowns of their NFL careers. Mayfield was steadfast in his perception in them, saying, “I really, genuinely belief the fellows which might be in there. … They're prepared.”
Former Oklahoma teammate Sterling Shepard, who joined Mayfield in Tampa final 12 months, admitted he acquired swept up within the second with Mayfield's scramble.
“It was unreal. And you already know what? I caught myself watching somewhat an excessive amount of. I ought to have [gone] to go block any individual,” Shepard mentioned. “I am simply so happy with him in the way in which that he is enjoying.”
Coach Todd Bowles added: “I imply, I used to be in disbelief identical to everyone else. It occurs each different week or so, and he makes these kind of performs and also you pray he doesn't get harm or something occurs to him. He has a knack, he has a knack which you can't train or coach, and it was an unbelievable play.”
Left sort out Tristan Wirfs mentioned he felt unhealthy about getting Mayfield hit on the play however was amazed.
“I used to be like, ‘Holy crap,'” Wirfs mentioned. “After which [to] watch him go choose up 15 yards and stretch for a primary down. … To observe Baker go to work each week is unimaginable. We love him to loss of life.”
Shepard mentioned it is much more significant due to Mayfield's journey. The Bucs had been his fourth group in a 12 months — he was traded by the Cleveland Browns to the Carolina Panthers, launched after which had a quick stint with the Los Angeles Rams whereas Matthew Stafford was out earlier than signing with Tampa Bay on a one-year, prove-it deal in 2023.
Mayfield led the Bucs to back-to-back division titles in his first two seasons, and he has had back-to-back career-best seasons, together with throwing for 41 landing passes final 12 months. However he is eyeing one thing extra this 12 months, as are his teammates.
“It means quite a bit,” Shepard mentioned. “He was bouncing round a bit there — he could not actually discover a house. And that simply exhibits you [what can happen] when any individual believes in you and has confidence in you — that offers you confidence on sport day, and he is enjoying with a bunch of confidence. All of us imagine in him, and I am simply completely happy for his scenario right here. I am wanting ahead to all of the particular issues that he is going to do that season.”
