No Redemption In Baker Mayfield’s Mind
September 8th, 2025
Just wants to win.
The Bucs got swept last year by the Dixie Chicks. The first loss was downright galling and it is still stuck in Joe’s craw — not craw, craw!
The second wasn’t quite as annoying but Joe still has acid reflux about it.
So yesterday, when the Bucs found a way to steal a win on the road against the Dixie Chicks, Baker Mayfield was asked if it was redemption for last year’s sweep.
Mayfield wasn’t buying it.
“Not really,” Mayfield said. “We remember the fact that they beat us twice, but this is the new season, 1-0.
“[Winning] — that’s what the goal was coming in here. Trying to do that against a divisional opponent on the road. Any way we can do it is great.
“Some of these close ball games last year, we weren’t on the right side of it, so it’s good to see that we can find a way to win.”
One reason the Bucs were on the wrong side of close losses was they were just fine playing for overtime, especially on the road. That backfired big time and likely cost the Bucs at least two wins.
Yesterday, Bucs coach Todd Bowles, Emeka Egbuka and Mayfield made it clear they had zero desire to go to overtime. And look at the result of that killer mentality?
Joe wonders if we are watching the transformation of a coach before our very eyes. Bowles was always a defense-first, play-it-safe coach.
Within a few months, he fully embraced drafting a receiver with the No. 19 overall pick and pushed the Bucs to win games and may not be content with overtime games.
September 8th, 2025 at 11:55 am
It was a Win and that is all that matters. That Putrid Pass Defense of the past still has a long way to go. Go BUCS!!
September 8th, 2025 at 12:17 pm
McLaughlin just cannot have a bad season. He was money last year and the Bucs don’t seem to be able to pull away from opponents.
September 8th, 2025 at 12:29 pm
Still have to fix crunch time defense. Not talking about the Fowlclowns 9 minute drive aided by the refs. The roughing the passer call against Vita was particularly horse feces.
Talking about after EE’s TD. Bowles drops everyone deep, so the middle is wide open again. C’mon Todd! That’s how the first drive went 3 plays for 65 yards! TIGHTEN UP IN CRUNCH TIME. Please.
September 8th, 2025 at 12:32 pm
We are lucky Koo was off….two of his previous kicks hit the crossbar and went in.
Our punter looked solid.
September 8th, 2025 at 12:38 pm
This would feel even better if Chase had not missed twice. Letting these guys hang around rasied my blood pressure to dangerous levels.
Go Bucs!
September 8th, 2025 at 12:45 pm
Bowles the riverboat gambler.
September 8th, 2025 at 1:33 pm
This might have been his coming of age game….. if so, look TF out Everyone!
September 8th, 2025 at 2:02 pm
Defense wasn’t that bad. Don’t forget they didn’t play as a whole unit either in the pre season so this was their first game too.
September 8th, 2025 at 2:27 pm
Where’s Jeff?
September 8th, 2025 at 2:49 pm
Great timing on the risky call to go for it on 4th down deep in enemy territory.
Todd sensed a spark in his offense after two consecutive three-and-outs to start the game and the Falcons had already scored (pretty easily).
Showing faith in the offenses ability to execute at that crucial point was exactly what was needed as we went on to score and then later take the lead…
September 8th, 2025 at 3:26 pm
Bowles need to be more aggressive on defense to close out games. Where’s the killer instinct he’s been spouting?
Baker showed up to close the game out.
The kick offs are ruining McLoughlin, he’s picking up bad habits. Let someone else kickoff.
September 8th, 2025 at 3:35 pm
Always hated that conservative approach by bowels. Drove me nuts. To see that go for mentality yesterday was a shock. Hopefully he’s changing his ways.
September 8th, 2025 at 4:02 pm
I’ll take that win all day.
Looking to see improvement next week, but I’m patient:
SVD
Run game
O-line
Edge rush
Baker passing accuracy
Referee vision and decision making (🤞)
September 8th, 2025 at 5:25 pm
KABucs: you’re dreaming about the refs cleaning up their act. How long have you been a Bucs fan?
September 8th, 2025 at 5:51 pm
Give Bowles credit for going for it on 4th and 1 in his own territory early on. Then again, you can be certain on that same drive he’d have likely punted on the Falcons 38 if it was 4th and 5 in that scenario.
September 8th, 2025 at 5:56 pm
orlbucfan Says:
September 8th, 2025 at 5:25 pm
KABucs: you’re dreaming about the refs cleaning up their act. How long have you been a Bucs fan?
———–
Glazers net worth – $10B
Author Blank net worth – $11.5B
Keep in mind the Glazers have to spread out that money amongst a bunch of siblings – where as Blank doesn’t. So when it comes to bidding for refs, Blank always wins.
Also, how can the Glazers only be worth $10B? That’s ridiculous, with the huge surge in sports team pricing, the Bucs alone are probably worth that much – not to mention another $8B or so from Manchester United. No idea how Forbes is coming up with those numbers, unless the Glazers have sold off a decent amount of the team over the years.
September 8th, 2025 at 7:17 pm
Didn’t have one of his best games throwing but came up big when he needed it the most definitely clutch this game. 2 big 3rd down runs and the throw to get first downs to let the defense rest. I had a feeling Koo was going to miss after the earlier crossbar incident. I did feel like that was the longest 2nd half of a football game. Stupid penalties at the worst times on Falcons last drive were very costly. Refs called and said make sure our check is in the mail this week or you can see what will happen.
September 8th, 2025 at 9:11 pm
Noticed the pass called on 4th & 1, I think Bowles has seen enough to trust his offense, especially as his defense is developing.
I’m glad to see it!