Bucs QB Baker Mayfield using Rams to help him beat Lions
Baker Mayfield may have only played five games for the Los Angeles Rams in 2022, but it was long enough to where he was able to forge some pretty solid relationships that still exist, to this day. And he's using those relationships to gain some insight on how to attack the Detroit Lions this weekend […]
Baker Mayfield may have only played five games for the Los Angeles Rams in 2022, but it was long enough to where he was able to forge some pretty solid relationships that still exist, to this day.
And he's using those relationships to gain some insight on how to attack the Detroit Lions this weekend in the playoffs. His former teammates and friends, in whichever context, are giving him intel, too, but there's a clear message they're sending him, as well.
"Just talking to some of those Rams guys, they said it was the loudest thing they’ve ever heard," Mayfield told reporters Wednesday. "We’ve got to be completely ready for that. It just comes down to everybody knowing exactly what our gameplan is – all the calls to and from, because there could be certain times where they can’t hear certain things. They might have to plug and play some of the words. [It’s] just everybody doing the mental work to get prepped for that, but it shouldn’t be a surprise for us. It’s going to be a great atmosphere…
"… [I was] talking to them about what exactly their gameplan of attack was, but mostly environment stuff of what kind of atmosphere it was. They said it was an unbelievable one, so we’re expecting the same thing. Obviously, in the next round, it’s only going to be even more exciting. We’ve got to be prepared.”
It's going to have an impact on the Bucs. There will be mistakes. Just how big the mistakes are and when they happen is the key.
Lions fans set the Ford Field record of 133.6 decibels during the starting lineups and then held at 115-120 decibels all night. Ford Field was so loud that the Rams had to use two of three second half timeouts early and it wound up costing them at the end of the game. – Mike Payton, A to Z Sports Detroit
There's really no way to prepare for it, either, and that's easily the hardest part of the deal.
“It’s going to be tough," Bucs head coach Todd Bowles told reporters. "We can turn it up as loud as possible, music-wise, and have noise brought in and everything else, but Sunday is going to be at a whole other decibel [level]. We’re preparing for it and we’ve got to have a few silent [count] things ready. The best way to do that is to try and make some plays and keep them quiet.”
What kind of intel is Mayfield receiving?
Man, to be a fly on the wall for those conversations. It's especially interesting considering there are some common elements/philosophies in Sean McVay's offense and Dave Canales'.
Whatever info Mayfield is receiving, I'm sure Canales will be able to use it, to a certain extent. Even if it's only 10%.
But, hey – we're talking the second round of the playoffs, here. Even 2% could make the difference in a win or loss.
Bucs have wins in front of tough crowds in 2023
Sunday will be a different level, for sure, but the Bucs have proven they can win in tough road environments. They finished the year with a 5-4 road record that includes an opening day win in front of a very boisterous Minnesota Vikings crowd, a division win on the road against the New Orleans Saints, and then a win in Lambeau Field that came against a Green Bay Packers team right in the thick of the playoff race.
"Mental toughness, guys playing for each other," Bowles said when asked what drives the team's road success. "Going on the road, everybody is around each other. We’ve been around each other. I think the trip that we took to New York in the summer when we had a couple of days up there with the Jets, getting to know each other, everybody spending time around each other, we got a little closer that way. Really, just the grind of the season, going through some mental things, some adversity, and coming out on the other side and just staying together. Staying together will keep us together.”
Sunday won't be easy, whatsoever. But the Bucs have been here before and if they go into this game prepared and ready like they did against the Eagles – we could see the team's second NFC Championship Game appearance in four seasons.
