Baker Mayfield's game-ending INT sums up Buccaneers' freefall perfectly

Adam Schultz

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Baker Mayfield's game-ending INT sums up Buccaneers' freefall perfectly image

© Bob Donnan

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' form in the second half of the season has been horrible, and the ending to the 23-20 loss to the Carolina Panthers perhaps perfectly encapsulates that.

With the Buccaneers at the Panthers' 42-yard line and just about in field goal range, facing a second-and-nine, the offense could have picked up a few yards and been in good shape.

But Baker Mayfield threw a game-ending interception. Mike Evans was the target, and when he got to the top of his route, he cut inside, Baker threw it outside, and the rest is history.

Head coach Todd Bowles stated it looked like a simple miscommunication.

But was it?

Yeah, unfortunately it was," Mayfield said. "I was trying to find a lane to step through and make the throw to him, and he thought I was going to scramble, which, based on some of the scrambles earlier to that, you can't blame him. It's just honestly, just sucky situation."

More: Why Buccaneers fans might not like Todd Bowles' message after Panthers loss

Can Bucs still win division?

For a team that has lost six of its last seven games, you would think no.

But this NFL season has been odd.

And as such, if the Buccaneers win their last two games, on the road against the Miami Dolphins and then the next installment of the Panthers rivalry at home, then Bowles' team would punch its ticket to the postseason.

Crazy, huh?

But based on how the Bucs have played over the last month, there is nothing guaranteed in the final two weeks.

Mayfield and Evans being on the wrong page with the game on the line doesn't happen often, and in the biggest moment, they had their wires crossed.

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Senior Editor