Baker Mayfield Blames Self For Momentum Swing
November 16th, 2025
Points finger at himself.
It was the most points Buffalo has scored in a game all season, despite the defense getting seal-clubbed for 44 points and three takeaways.
It was atrocious! But Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield seems to be bearing the responsibility for the loss. That’s the impression Joe got listening to Mayfield on the Buccaneers Radio Network following the game.
“Momentum shifted when I threw that interception on third down in our own territory,” Mayfield said. “That’s where my thoughts are right now.”
They shouldn’t be.
Though Mayfield is right in that play surely didn’t help the Bucs — the Bucs had a 26-24 lead at the time Mayfield threw his pick to Cole Bishop, which was returned to the Bucs-25.
On the very next play, Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen threw a 25-yard touchdown to James Cook to put Buffalo up 31-26 — with Anthony Nelson trying to cover him.
Yes, the Bucs regained the lead later but the defense turned into a true sieve in the second half. Joe hasn’t seen the defense that bad since Mike Smith was screaming on a headset from a coaches’ box. It was truly disgraceful.
Yes, Mayfield made a mistake, a costly mistake. But in no way did that cost the Bucs the game.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:48 pm
Please Baker not ur fault we lost wide open players for the Bills was why we lost over and over
November 16th, 2025 at 4:48 pm
It was a bad pick
November 16th, 2025 at 4:50 pm
Jason Lichtenstein being too proud to trade for proven defensive players and drafting the likes of Braswell and Hall, whom neither can get home. Bowels may stink, but Licht deserves to be called out for the state of the pass rush. Shameful stuff folks!
November 16th, 2025 at 4:50 pm
I mean we see the same game wins and losses ever since Bowles took over.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:50 pm
totally confident in bowles?
November 16th, 2025 at 4:50 pm
Did Mayfield give up 44 points? Did he fail to tackle a kickoff returner?
November 16th, 2025 at 4:50 pm
Well, I can say this with 100% certainty, if Winston threw that INT in that same exactly situation, everyone on this site would be saying Jameis cost the Bucs the game.
Baker was fine, he came out and rebounded by getting a TD. But the team needed MVP Baker today, and didn’t get it. Got 173 yards, 1 TD and 2 TOs instead. Again, not blaming him at all, it was 100% on the defense – but that INT was truly stupid and made no sense – as did the fumble where he showed a complete lack of pocket awareness (it didn’t matter, but get rid of the ball for Christs sake).
November 16th, 2025 at 4:51 pm
Love autocorrect. Licht is Einstein level of insanity with his edge rushes drafted.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:51 pm
Mistakes will be made. But please get rid of the ball quicker. Run more quick plays, use your TE, slants, screen,something. It can’t be fun dancing in the pocket all the time. The O-line usually gives you enough time but you insist on holding on to the ball longer than Jameis Winston.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:51 pm
Every season a November slump.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:51 pm
Munch,
You are correct!
Jameis a a lovelable hjt his turnover margin still gives me the chills.
I hope he does well, his pressers are damn hilarious.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:52 pm
No edge rush, no playoffs. Toothless.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:53 pm
This play calling doesn’t fit Baker’s play style of the players we currently have. I know we have injuries, but every team has injuries and they find ways to use the players they have in plays that fit their skill sets. Baker can only do so much, but he hasn’t looked the same this year as last year’s.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:53 pm
Baker made a few costly errors. That cannot be papered over.
Throwing behind several open receivers and overthrowing EE in the endzone.
Even with 2nd tier weapons he managed to get us 32 points.
That should have been enough to win. But in this game it was not.
He’s not the problem. In fact he’s the lone bright spot of the season.
Bowles defense has drug this team down into irrelevance. Fire him now!
November 16th, 2025 at 4:54 pm
Bucs need a FA edge rusher because they sure can’t draft one.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:54 pm
Waiting for the beginning of the Baker and Bowles excuse show
November 16th, 2025 at 4:56 pm
Sorry Baker. How many times did you give the defense the lead? This is totally on Bowles Defense and Special Teams.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:56 pm
It was my fault. I didn’t wash my Evans jersey after last week’s loss. Sorry.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:57 pm
The 3rd and 2 pass to Shep was worse imo. I can’t let that go, it was stupid with how good Tucker played. Then the punt on 4th and 2. The coaches make idiotic decisions every game.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:58 pm
He’s overrated and a garbage journeyman. That pick was a back breaker. Team ran for over 200 yards and he was still garbage..200 yards rushing is almost always a L. 26-21 Baker is in Tampa. 10-4 vs the NFC South. 16-17 vs the rest of the NFL. That’s a 3 year sample size. Not to mention every year in Tampa he has a losing record vs winning teams..Josh Allen showed you the difference……even with a bad first half.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:59 pm
TB = .500
Fire the DC!
November 16th, 2025 at 5:01 pm
16/28 for 173 yards, 1td/1int in a LOSS. ” What more can he do????? LMAO
November 16th, 2025 at 5:03 pm
A bad decision. He owned it . Bucs will be 6-5. Finish 10-7. The offense, once healthy , will run with anyone . I’m joining Lee’ s lament . We simply don’t pressure the qb. It’ll be the defense that limits any play off run. It may give baker pause to sign an extension … I could see him replacing Stafford in two seasons … mcvay a class 1 coach, who loves baker.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:03 pm
With all the injuries at WR, OL & OLB and there were zero moves made at the break? The Bucs aren’t a serious team.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:03 pm
Mayfield is a stand up guy. He wasn’t going to put Bowles and his bunch of matadors under the bus. This team is on the brink of collapse…might be worth it for a full reset…unless of course Legendary Licht gets to choose his 5th head coach to work with. The Lil’ Glazers are scared of him for some reason.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:08 pm
Todd Bowles is the cheapest head coach in the league (he gets 3 million salary) perhaps that is why Glazers refuse to move off him. Defense was completely unable to slow down Josh Allen the last 3 quarters.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:08 pm
Baker is showing what he did to the Browns for 4 years. Gets everyone pumped up and goes into true form to cost the game. Not his fault. He is a standup guy..it is in his football DNA.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:10 pm
Baker is making it work with four of the top five offensive players out. It is definitely not his fault. Bucs have a great offense led by an elite QB, but they have an atrocious defense and an incompetent special team’s coach.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:11 pm
Baker’s a humble and good guy. It is not all on him.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:12 pm
Hindsight is of course 20/10…but Josh Allen was drafted by the Bucs original pick before a trade.
Josh Allen for VV, Carlton Banks & MJ Stewart basically. Of course Winston was just about to break out ( a 30/30 season ). No Tom Brady with that scenario also…but it’s interesting to me at least.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:12 pm
All this talk of edge rushers, but they were dropped into coverage on most of these big plays. What edge rush do you expect at that point?
November 16th, 2025 at 5:16 pm
Excuses every weak. Last week Maye missed AlOT of weapons. Allen has no WRs. He’d kill for EE and Tez but ok excuse makers
November 16th, 2025 at 5:18 pm
When will yall realize he is a BUM AND WILL NEVER EVER GET IT DONE. This man is responsible for every game we lose. He lost the momentum for us. And game was over. Todd is a Bum at his job and Jason sucks at his time for both to be replaced. Winfield, Zyon, David , Dennis, Evans, Hall, Gaines, Braswell, Reddick, and Otton should not be on this team next yr. And when Bakeer Contract runs out…. LET HIM GOOOOOOO.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:18 pm
Everybody is to blame. But in order from most blame to least it is defense, special teams and then Bakers turnovers.,
November 16th, 2025 at 5:20 pm
The last 2 posters before me are national trolls
November 16th, 2025 at 5:21 pm
Let me guess, Turtle Todd hid in his shell again and refused to take any of the blame.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:22 pm
I speak my mind “Mark mark” try it n see how it feels to be your own man
November 16th, 2025 at 5:23 pm
Buc2blame you hide behind the internet. In a bar you would get punched.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:26 pm
Even with the mistakes they still scored 32 points. You MUST win every game you score 32 points if you think you are a good team. They won’t win more than 2-3 more games with the defense playing like that. And NO help is coming for the defense.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:27 pm
Baker is a leader. That’s why he said that. However, in his mind he’s really wondering why they punted on 4th and 2 in the 4th quarter. He’s also wondering why his defense can’t stop anything.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:28 pm
Carolina is going to be in the first place of our division next week
November 16th, 2025 at 5:28 pm
Troll? Nope. Fan since 1989. You have no idea who Broderick Thomas is or Keith McCants for that matter. Bucs fan here, not a Baker fan.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:29 pm
Hindsight is of course 20/10…but Josh Allen was drafted by the Bucs original pick before a trade.
Josh Allen for VV, Carlton Banks & MJ Stewart basically. Of course Winston was just about to break out ( a 30/30 season ). No Tom Brady with that scenario also…but it’s interesting to me at least.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:34 pm
Pretty obvious that this collection of rookie and no name receivers coupled with a weakened O line is hindering the passing game. Against a good team can’t make mistakes. Receivers need to hang on to passes that hit them in the hands. Baker fumble didn’t matter as defense had already failed multiple times. Interception was #3 of year and it was a bad throw.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:36 pm
Not on Bake one bit…Todd and his pitiful defense own this loss all by their lonesome
November 16th, 2025 at 5:47 pm
Not on Bake??? 16/28 for 173,1&1?¿? This looked like a Cleveland game with Chubb and Hunt running the ball. Baker is a average QB. Even here he is below .500 vs the rest of the NFL in 3 years. I saw a guy say that last week and he’s right. I liked it up and I got a give him his credit. Baker just being who he is. Nice QB ” duel” today lol
November 16th, 2025 at 6:01 pm
I’m so sick of fat ass arm chair quarterbacks making stupid comments. The quarterback position in the NFL is the hardest job in all of sports. Be glad your team is above .500 and thank God for your quarterback. The negative posters on this site remind me of the queers we beat up in middle school. Those of us that played sports at any level realize how difficult perfection is. So the naysaying Nancy’s should go back to their Star Wars role playing and let the men root on the Vucs.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:04 pm
Erickson Cobb you sir are an idiot
November 16th, 2025 at 6:11 pm
32 points should have been enough.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:28 pm
Not bakers fault. The guy had zero weapons. Played his nut off today.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:39 pm
Zero weapons? EE ? A 70 catch TE? Most of all they ran for 200 yards. Maybe it’s a sub.500 QB doing sub.500 things
November 16th, 2025 at 6:40 pm
One of many bone headed plays by this team
A complete failure from the top down.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:43 pm
Waterlung changing names again.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:45 pm
Ironic some of these comments…just salivating for the opportunity to smear Bowles and his defense, but what exactly did this offense do in its 2 previous games? Jack and sp!t. But yeah, let’s not blame anyone on the offense. Baker didn’t have a great game, Tucker was amazing.
Point is, this team is horrible at complementary football. We pick the ball off on the Bills 7-yard line…We come away with only 3pts!? That is why we are on the cusp of losing are lead to the Panthers in the division, and if we don’t get our division, we’re not getting the wild card. We are absolutely terrible on goal line. We have nothing good drawn up for 2 pt conversions. It’s agonizing to watch.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:56 pm
It was one of those games like Seattle, which was set up to be a high scoring game by both sides, trading blow by blow until someone made a critical mistake. Mayfield made the critical mistake in their own territory. He was correct.
November 16th, 2025 at 7:02 pm
Marky mark…. We all are hiding behind the internet simp smh as if we can see your face. You slow slow
November 16th, 2025 at 7:33 pm
Baker is accountable, Bowles is not.
November 16th, 2025 at 7:35 pm
Erickson Cobb Carrier Says:
November 16th, 2025 at 6:39 pm
Zero weapons? EE ? A 70 catch TE? Most of all they ran for 200 yards. Maybe it’s a sub.500 QB doing sub.500 things
—
😂😂 where’s EE been?? And otton a weapon? Zero explosiveness
November 16th, 2025 at 8:07 pm
I cant think of many or any QBs in this league with a rookie with a whopping 10 games under his belt, a aged out #4 or 5 receiver on any other team and a 138LB 7th rounder as his weapons doing any better than Bake at this time…and lost his starting RB for over a month. I give Grizz a pass also at this time. Now Bowles is a Defensive minded coach and his side of the ball keeps Sheeting the bed, and the reason we lost…again
November 16th, 2025 at 8:14 pm
Guys, the offense was good today.
They didn’t lose the game, there’s nothing to whine about with the offense. Sure, there were some bad calls, but that always happen. Yes, Baker’s INT was bafflingly stupid and I have no idea where he was trying to put the ball considering both of his WR’s were on their feet and running in a steady direction, and Baker… I have no idea. But whatever, he got a TD on the next drive to get the points back.
Wiz Kid meanwhile called his best game of the year.
Again, give me 32 points every week and I’ll take my chances.
November 16th, 2025 at 8:14 pm
Remember the wind was a factor so don’t judge the passing game too harshly. Josh Allen probably was lucky he was playing against the Bucs defense or Bills fans would be ripping him uno nuevo right about now. Bake played well enough to win again just like he did in the Patriots game. Stafford looked like dog doo doo today against the Seahawks and still the Rams won. Sam Darnold threw 4 picks in that same game and still the Seahawks almost won that game. They missed a last second field goal at the buzzer. It’s amazing what good defense can accomplish. ECC, I hope this post makes your blood boil !
November 16th, 2025 at 8:15 pm
Sooooo when do the excuses end? 6-4 is actually the BEST 10 game start to a season with Baker at QB(4-6 in 2023,5-5 in 2024)but anywho. I’m going to save these excuses for 2026. At the least it needs to be title game or bust for 2026. You know how you guys are conceding 2025 due to” injuries”..It will be year#4 for Baker…..
November 16th, 2025 at 8:16 pm
If we had even fair to middling defense and special teams today we would really be happy campers right now!
November 16th, 2025 at 8:17 pm
Same as last week
November 16th, 2025 at 8:20 pm
Oscar: That’s a loser Mentality to bring up other ppl failures to ease your own. Very weak of you. And btw, the team has been mediocre under Baker. Say it with me: 26-21. 10-4 vs the NFC South but 16-17 vs the rest of the NFL..That’s below 500 kiddo. So the line,injuries, new OCs/ coaching sucks so bad yet you can win 72 % of your division games but you can only win 48% of the games outside your division..A objective person would know that means you just barely good enough to win a weak division. Say what you want, you got Cleveland/ Carolina Baker Mayfeild today
November 16th, 2025 at 8:27 pm
When the defense starts to do their job and our injured playmakers on offense return along with Ben Bredeson. If you want to call that excuses that’s your problem! Those are the realities.
November 16th, 2025 at 8:32 pm
Erickson Cobb Carrier Says:
November 16th, 2025 at 8:15 pm
Sooooo when do the excuses end? 6-4 is actually the BEST 10 game start to a season with Baker at QB(4-6 in 2023,5-5 in 2024)but anywho. I’m going to save these excuses for 2026. At the least it needs to be title game or bust for 2026. You know how you guys are conceding 2025 due to” injuries”..
———–
The entire point of talking about the injuries is to say there’s light at the end of the tunnel – if they can stick it out and make the playoffs, they’ll be getting healthy right as the playoffs start, and if that’s the case it’s all on Baker to perform this time and not have another 4th quarter collapse like his last two playoff games.
As someone who has been critical of Baker collapsing in those playoff games, as other people pretend like it never happened at all – I will say I just have a good gut feeling about this year. They must get Bucky, Godwin and Evans back – but if they do, and they’re anywhere near healthy, then I just have a very good feeling – and the last two years I did not.
November 16th, 2025 at 8:43 pm
Seems to me, cobb carrier, that is precisely what you’re doing. You’re the the one saying Baker is a failure as the Bucs quarterback, I said nothing about Stafford or Darnold being failures, only cited what happened in one game. The point was only to illustrate that a player can have a subpar performance and still win under the right circumstances, in this instance that the Bucs could have won this game with a decent defensive performance.
November 16th, 2025 at 9:00 pm
For all those saying ” injuries” …forget the fact EVERYONE is hurt this time of year….the 49ers are 7-4 in the NFC West. SB QB Purdy been out most of the year. Pro Bowl TE, ALL PRO DE+LB been out most of the year. They don’t look like they were throwing in the towel. I contest they have had MORE injuries then us and to better,more impactful players. Matter of fact,it’s not even close. That means a playoff run needed for this QB&HC
November 16th, 2025 at 9:00 pm
No matter how great or talented a quarterback is , under some circumstances they are not going to perform up to par. It wasn’t just Stafford and Darnold that had horrible games today, you can add Justin Herbert, Mahomes and Lamar to the list as well. Lamar won his game, Herbert and Mahomes lost theirs. The Browns defense made Lamar look human and Herbert and the Chargers were demolished by the Jaguars. Herbert is a very good quarterback but he’s missing both his starting tackles. That’s not an excuse, it’s a reality and I’m sure it had a lot to do with the outcome of that game.
November 16th, 2025 at 9:07 pm
Respectfully disagree Joe. When Baker threw that pick it changed everything for the team on both sides.
November 16th, 2025 at 9:10 pm
ECC. Do you reckon you’ll stay a Bucs fan when Baker signs his next contract here? I’m sure the ownership and team management, after his performances these last 2 games, would sign him tomorrow if they thought they could get him for 200 million for four years. His 30-34 age window. Well, of course they’ll be willing to pay him more than that. Because there are a few others that’ll pay him alot more than that. Tampa Bay has never had so many fans. And ECC. This season ain’t nowhere near over.
November 16th, 2025 at 9:18 pm
Wow, ericksoncobbcarrier shows no mercy for the Bucs or Bowles and all of the adversity they’ve faced this season but you do for the 49ers. We could debate all day about who’s had it tougher but both teams have had plenty of obstacles. The 49ers are 7-4 and we are 6-4, I think both teams deserve a lot of credit. But for you there are no mitigating circumstances allowed for the Bucs. That sure makes it obvious you have an agenda against Baker and Bowles and the Bucs. I wonder what that might be?
November 16th, 2025 at 9:22 pm
That’s Baker – he knows da*n well that the game turned on Special Teams and horrible defense… but Baker won’t throw his guys under the bench. This is why guys want to play for him.
November 16th, 2025 at 9:38 pm
Don’t give a F Abt the 49ers. I’m tired of the excuses. And Baker is NOT a 50M a year QB. NOBODY and I mean NOBODY would pay him that. 50M for a losing record?? Where would he go?;He’s a journeyman. I’m pissed Baker holds the team back. A better QB and we’d be lights out. If we are one and done this year that would be ONE wildcard win in 3 years🤔🤔
November 16th, 2025 at 9:43 pm
And as for you Rod Munch and your backhanded compliments and grudging respect at times for Baker, I’ll put you in the same boat as ECC. The Buccaneers of 2023 didn’t have any business on the same field with the Lions and yet they were after dispatching the Eagles in the first round of the playoffs. And in the 2024 playoffs against the Commanders he played way more than well enough to have won that game. The defense was overmatched and let the Commanders matriculate all day at a snails pace. As much as I love the Bucs they are not yet the model of excellence and consistency that they could be and hopefully will be. Almost everyone in football media believed that the Bucs were due for a rebuild in 2023 and they were right to think that but this team has overachieved for sure and continue to do so. But I think the future is bright.
November 16th, 2025 at 9:47 pm
ecc, Thank goodness you’re not making decisions for the Bucs!
November 16th, 2025 at 9:53 pm
Oscar: sounds like a bunch of bs,excuses,wydda,cudda and shudda. How do you explain Baker being 16-17 outside the NFC South his THREE years here? How do you explain EVERY year having a losing record vs winning teams? How many years do you need to reach the conf title game? I’ve watched Goff go to a SB, title game, Purdy go to a SB, Garrapolo go to a SB, Hurts go to (2) SB and won one. I bet fans in KC would be glad you don’t pick..They would have stood pat and kept rolling with Alex Smith lol..I guess Baker is infallible and deserves 10 years to reach a title game.
November 16th, 2025 at 9:57 pm
ECC. You are right. Nobody will pay him that. Because he’s gonna be making more than that.
November 16th, 2025 at 10:01 pm
Kenton: You better hope it’s not Tampa 😂😂😂. 50M for a limited,undersized, unathletic, beer belly QB at 31. King of the NFC South LOL
November 16th, 2025 at 10:10 pm
It is asinine to have a lumbering DE trying to cover James Cool.
Asinine.
November 16th, 2025 at 10:16 pm
Oscar Says:
The Buccaneers of 2023 didn’t have any business on the same field with the Lions and yet they were after dispatching the Eagles in the first round of the playoffs. And in the 2024 playoffs against the Commanders he played way more than well enough to have won that game. The defense was overmatched and let the Commanders matriculate all day at a snails pace.
———
Meanwhile in reality… the in the Lions game, Baker had the ball, with 2 mins left, 3 time outs, one score game, and on the 2nd play of the drive, threw a pick, and the game was over.
Vs the Redskins, the defense has a huge 4th quarter goal line stand, give the ball back to Baker with a chance to go up two scores and put the game away, and instead he fumbles the ball and loses the game (not to mention he has a chance to still get 7 on the next drive, make the Redskins need to get a TD to win the game, and instead just gets a FG).
That’s what really happened – not MVP level play.
You know who else said that? Baker.
This year, I’m saying I got a different feeling about him – I just got a feeling it might be his time to finally come through in those big moments. But he can’t do it alone, he needs guys back.
November 16th, 2025 at 10:19 pm
ECC, I explained all that in my posts! Did you read any of my posts?
November 16th, 2025 at 10:26 pm
Rod, I agree with the last paragraph of your post. It is much closer to coming to fruition because the team is getting better especially if and when we get to full strength. This team at full strength will belong on the same field with the elite teams but it is also contingent on the defense rounding into form. They have the potential to do so . But we have to see it.
November 16th, 2025 at 10:28 pm
A couple bad plays by him, but imo the biggest momentum killer was special teams. Just when we seemed like we had something going it’s our defense starting with their backs against the wall. Which I think also affected the defense. Between special teams and defense it was hard to keep momentum. Run game helped til we sorta gave up on it
November 16th, 2025 at 10:31 pm
Rod, and as far as Baker saying it, he’s a competitor and he’s never going to admit that his team isn’t as good as the opposition. He believes he can make it work regardless of what he has to work with. His belief in himself is how he was able to lead the Browns to 7 wins as a rookie when the team was coming off a composite 1-31 record in the 2 years prior.
November 16th, 2025 at 10:36 pm
Instead of playing good sound fundamental defense and not making mistakes, Bowles likes to call these exotic defenses and blitzes. We have seen it since Bowles has been in Tampa. Instead of letting your cover guys try to cover the receivers Bowles likes to put his edge rushers and even his 300 plus pound defensive tackles in coverage. Because we play a defense designed to trick our opponents. The problem is we can’t cover ANY receiver on any team with our edge rushers and 340 pound D tackle in coverage. Time after time, game after game it’s the same thing and we watch running backs running away from our defensive lineman chasing them 30 yards downfield. Bowles, how about the kiss theory. Keep it simple stupid
November 16th, 2025 at 10:37 pm
And how many players on offense from those 1-31 teams did Baker have? They tanked Baker bro. And they tanked properly EXCEPT they messed up taking Baker on a draft with Josh and Lamar..If you follow football you know Cleveland was loaded. Cincy had a bad rep.until Burrow carried them to a SB in year 2. Baker does lead the leauge in excuses every year.
November 16th, 2025 at 10:41 pm
Ok,.no excuses. At the minimum this team should make the NFC title game. You don’t have to play all the good teams, they will cancel each other out. Get to host a playoff game. Let’s go!!! No excuses. Bo Nix just lost his best weapon and did something Baker has NEVER done on the NFL, beat Mahomes. I think Baker is 0-4 or 0-5 vs Mahomes in his career. Weird. Just another coincidence I suppose. Did Nix say,oh poor me? Nope. Just went out and had his best game of the year.