Buccaneers fans will love Baker Mayfield's Week 18 promise

Adam Schultz

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Buccaneers fans will love Baker Mayfield's Week 18 promise image

© Nathan Ray Seebeck

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will want to flush their 20-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 17 as quickly as possible.

Why? Because all attention has to be on the Carolina Panthers in Week 18 when the NFC South title will be on the line.

Yes, even after losing seven of their last eight games, the Buccaneers can still win the division, and facing the Panthers for the second time in three weeks means Tampa Bay will know its rivals well.

And speaking on the Week 18 matchup, Baker Mayfield is ready for all the smoke.

“There's definitely an advantage, having it being a home game,” Mayfield said. “But it's about executing and the fact that we're still in it, that should give us the positivity we need to rebound from this, hit the reset button, like Todd [Bowles] said, erase it. We have a chance at home to get into the playoffs and win the division. Wouldn't have it any other way.

"The things leading up to it, yeah, we'd love to change them, but still have a chance playing for the division at home. I'll get this group ready."

That's Baker's promise. Getting the team ready.

More: Bucs fans will love Baker Mayfield's quote on NFC South showdown in Week 18

Mayfield embodies the ideal Week 18 mindset

It all now comes down to four quarters of football.

Starting back in training camp, the previous 17 games, all the hard work comes down to one game.

Win (with an Atlanta Falcons loss on Monday Night Football or in Week 18), and you're in. Lose, and you can plan your vacation while watching the postseason from the couch.

Talk about pressure, right?

"Out of bullets, out of lives, and that's all right with me," Mayfield added.

The Buccaneers, somehow, are in with a shot at the division, and it is likely their hot start (5-1) that has kept them in contention.

Week 18 folks. For all the marbles.

Buckle up.

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Senior Editor