The criticism for Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles has been fierce after the loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Part of the reason for many to be scathing in their assessment of Bowles is that his defense gave up a third-and-28 in the fourth quarter, which led to the Falcons' game-winning field goal.
Fans have been irate, wanting Bowles out, and the defense hasn't been what many had hoped over the past six games.
But Baker Mayfield has a rather pointed message for those sharpening their pitchforks and coming after Bowles.
"I mean, that's always a tricky slope," Baker said. "You love them when the defense is getting all the sacks, the turnovers, and then a game like that. It comes down to the offense. You're up two scores. You have a chance to put the game away, and you don't.
"The easy thing to do is point at the defense because of the situation. It's the last thing you see in the game. But if you look at the whole game, you look at the way it played. Blame me. Don't blame Todd."
More: Why Baker Mayfield has zero concerns over Bucs culture amid losing streak
Buccaneers face defining Panthers clash
With just three games left in the regular season and the Buccaneers and Panthers both at 7-7 with two games against each other to come, the NFC South is going down to the wire.
The Buccaneers are on the road in Charlotte Sunday in what is looming as a potentially season-defining game, and one that Tampa Bay needs to snap this bad run of form it's currently on.
Just one win in the last six games isn't the form line you want heading into the postseason, but with three games left to save their season, the Buccaneers know what they have to do.
Just win.
More Buccaneers news:
- Baker Mayfield shoulders blame for Buccaneers' collapse against Falcons
- Bucky Irving's frustrating lack of usage near goal line explained by Bucs reporter
- Todd Bowles points finger after Bucs' loss to Falcons and it wasn't at the coaches
- Buccaneers vs. Falcons final score, results: Kirk Cousins, Falcons storm back from 14-point deficit to shock Buccaneers