The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a chance to prove to the NFL world that they belong at the top of the food chain, but Todd Bowles' team couldn't get it done, losing 28-23 to the New England Patriots.
Baker Mayfield and Co. Played a relatively clean game, but it was self-inflicted wounds in critical times that plagued the Buccaneers, while Drake Maye and the Patriots put up over 400 yards of total offense.
It was a measuring stick game for the Buccaneers, and they failed, dropping to 6-3.
Granted, it isn't the end of the world, but speaking post-game, Mayfield had a rather pointed message to not only himself, but to the entire locker room.
“Just didn't execute good enough,” Mayfield said. “Got to do all the little things right, we did not do that. That's what I told the team, told the offense, at some point when the stuff comes up during the week, whether it's mistakes or things we talk about, then it shows up on Sundays, you have to have some pride about you.
"You got to have the fear of that failure of messing up for your teammates. You got to have that responsibility and accountability for the guys around you and get it fixed. In tight ball games like this, when you play a good team like the Patriots, little things will get you beat. And that was the case for us on offense today.”
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Mayfield's comments a worry for Buccaneers?
Coming out of the bye week, and not to be across all of the little details, especially when you've had extra time to prepare, yeah, that is a little worrying.
But the Buccaneers, for the most part this season, have been a consistent football team, so maybe they deserve the benefit of the doubt. Or simply that they got beaten by a better team.
However, that won't fly in the locker room, and Mayfield's comments are a clear message to every player that what was dished up isn't good enough, especially when, during the week, the same things that plagued the Buccaneers were the same things they had practiced.
With the Buffalo Bills up next on the road before another road trip to L.A. To face the Rams, the Buccaneers could very well slip back into the chasing pack if they aren't careful.
And it's clear Mayfield is a little ticked off with the loss to New England.
More Buccaneers news:
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- When is Bucky Irving coming back? Injury update, return timeline for Buccaneers RB
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- 2026 NFL Draft team needs for the NFC South after the trade deadline