Baker Mayfield shows in five second span during win over Giants why Buccaneers play so hard for him
Baker Mayfield has put together a strong sophomore season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after breaking onto the scene last year with a Pro Bowl season. Why's Baker – and the Buccaneers under his leadership – been so successful in Tampa? A five-second span during the Bucs' 30-7 win over the New York Giants was […]
Baker Mayfield has put together a strong sophomore season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after breaking onto the scene last year with a Pro Bowl season.
Why's Baker – and the Buccaneers under his leadership – been so successful in Tampa? A five-second span during the Bucs' 30-7 win over the New York Giants was a microcosm of that reason.
With the Bucs leading 30-7 in the fourth quarter and the game obviously well out of hand, Mayfield handed off to Bucky Irving, who broke free and took off in a footrace towards the end zone. Out of nowhere, Mayfield comes flying onto the screen and throws a lead block about 40 yards from the line of scrimmage.
Mayfield's block downfield wasn't ceremonial either. He managed to dislodge a Giants defender from Irving's back and get his running back another 15 yards or so down the field.
That's exactly why Mayfield has been so successful and so well liked in Tampa. His effort. His passion. His intensity. There's no doubt that the locker room is bought in on #6 as the unquestioned leader on the roster.
Mayfield has also been smart about using his legs and athleticism as a tool in his bag this season, particularly on Sunday. He took off several times on the run to help move the sticks with his legs. He also completed 24/30 attempts passing for 294 yards on the day.
Now, at 5-6 and just a game behind the Atlanta Falcons for first place in the NFC South, the Bucs are trending the right way coming out of the bye with the second-lowest winning percentage in the league for their remaining opponents coming into Sunday.
And if today's showing was any indication, the Bucs are going to go down swinging – one way or another – with #6 leading the charge as they try to claim their fourth straight division crown and fifth playoff spot in a row.
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