The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have become the masters of the close finishes in 2025, with all four of their wins coming by one score, and more often than not, Baker Mayfield has had to lead a game-winning drive to secure the win.
The only time Mayfield hasn't gotten it done was against the Philadelphia Eagles in what is Tampa Bay's only loss of the year.
Baker again waved his magic wand (with the help of Lavonte David's interception) to put the Seahawks away 38-35 on the road. Needing a touchdown to draw level, Mayfield led a seven-play, 70-yard touchdown drive, and on the next possession, David intercepted Sam Darnold, allowing Mayfield to get the Buccaneers into field goal range, and the rest is history.
And for head coach Todd Bowles, he's pleased with the mentality of his team.
"Well, it's been good to close them out,” Bowles said. “You don't ever want to play games that close, but early in the year, all these games are going to be tough and they going to be one-score games. Last year, we didn't pull them out. This year, we've been finding a way to win. Shows attention to detail and resiliency on our part.”
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Buccaneers the NFL's close-game kings
Having been 3-6 in one-score games last season (including playoffs), Tampa has certainly turned the tide this year, going 4-1 so far.
But being in close games all the time isn't a great place to be, but it also gives you a feel of playoff football before it actually comes around. Right now, the Buccaneers, at least offensively, are rolling with coordinator Josh Grizzard and Mayfield, to be clear, in the NFC South standings.
However, as we know, in close games, it doesn't take too much for the football to bounce the wrong way, so while the close wins are good, we imagine Bowles will want a little more cushion going into the fourth quarter, so Baker isn't forced to pull it out of the fire every week.
The "blood pressure" Bucs have this close-game mentality down to an exact science, and so far, it's working out...but it's not exactly easy on their fans.
More Buccaneers news:
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