Rough Passing Start For Winner Baker Mayfield
September 7th, 2025
Franchise quarterback Baker Mayfield looked darn rusty in the first half today in Atlanta — and in much of the second half.
In the first 30 minutes, Mayfield was 7-for-15 for only 77 yards. He also had a couple of near interceptions, an ill-advised run and a touchdown throw to Emeka Egbuka.
Preseason rust? Joe has no other answer.
But similar challenges continued in the second half with poorly thrown balls.
So what did Mayfield do? First, he turned to his legs. Mayfield had a massive 20-yard run on third down early in the third quarter to get the Bucs into the red zone. They scored a couple of plays later when Mayfield threw a quick out to Bucky Irving for the first receiving touchdown of Irving’s NFL career (preseason doesn’t count.)
And then Mayfield had another successful 3rd-and-long scamper in the fourth quarter. He finished 17-of-32 for 167 yards and 3 touchdowns, the two gems to Emeka Egbuka. Mayfield’s completion rate (53 percent) was his lowest since 2023, and it was his lowest passing-yards total since Nov. 10 of last year.
Joe thinks this is the mark of a champion and a great sign for Mayfield. He didn’t have his best game yet found ways to make huge plays and win.
As for the very slow start by the Bucs offense and Mayfield, Mike Evans laughed about the reaction to it after the game, noting it was the first quarter of Week 1.
Evans also praised how the offensive line handled a last-minute shakeup at three positions.
“We have a lot of guys on the offensive line that are versatile and are warriors,” Evans said.
Mayfield said he wasn’t patient enough early in the game, passing up checkdowns that he should have taken.
September 7th, 2025 at 6:25 pm
Too much down the field passing when there were opportunities over the middle. I know EE had a great day but we were lucky he got free.
September 7th, 2025 at 6:27 pm
This was Baker’s preseason.
September 7th, 2025 at 6:29 pm
Maybe he should have played in one of those “worthless” preseason games….
September 7th, 2025 at 6:37 pm
Baker was throwing just behind guys early, keep letting defenders catch up and slap the ball down. I think he then overcorrected later, where he was missing wide open throws. But he got the big play when the team needed it.
I 100% blame Bowles for not playing him in the preseason – even last year he at least got a series in the preseason. You’d hope it would be a lesson for Bowles, but I’m sure he’ll probably cut practice snaps next year, because you can never be too safe.
September 7th, 2025 at 6:39 pm
Baker game management seemed to be in mid-season form.
I think his actual accuracy passing was the worst that I have seen it is a Bucs uniform.
September 7th, 2025 at 6:40 pm
Mayfield has had a handful of games like this each years he’s been here. It’s just that when some of us mention it you guys lash out about it being mentioned. Biggest difference today is we made enough plays to win in all 3 phases.
Kam Johnson should get a share of the game ball btw, he must’ve brought the smellin salt because that punt return woke us up
September 7th, 2025 at 6:43 pm
I think it is the O-line and it will hopefully become something he is used to. Mayfields ability to run for 1st downs makes a world of difference.
September 7th, 2025 at 6:45 pm
Franchise Qb, that’s funny.
September 7th, 2025 at 6:46 pm
Joe Burrow threw 1 td and 113 yards. You think he was rusty, at least Baker found the end zone 3 times. Watching a lot of these teams you are seeing the same thing. Starting to believe that they should get rid of preseason and add a game. Then everyone will be in the same boat of playing games that count
September 7th, 2025 at 6:50 pm
I agree with others, Baker did not look sharp. And I agree he should have played enough in preseason to get his timing down. Bet he is more way prepared next game. Like others said, not enough game time in preseason. Bet he looks better next week.
September 7th, 2025 at 6:50 pm
And salute to Mayfield for falling well enough to sell that roughing call, THAT won’t show up on the box score.
September 7th, 2025 at 6:51 pm
Man Baker stepped up when we needed him to do he played good in my eyes!! Again I rather a cluch quarterback than a stat guy all day long go bucs!!
September 7th, 2025 at 6:54 pm
Baker is not a god, AND he said after the game that he sucked. But most of the plays that kept us alive were his. Must be must be tough to take all the heat for the bad, and not gloat on the good.
September 7th, 2025 at 6:55 pm
Character.
September 7th, 2025 at 6:58 pm
Right on Oneil.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:02 pm
Rough game for most of the roster outside 2 or 3 guys. Hopefully the rust is gone by next Monday.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:43 pm
I wonder if the hand is bothering him still because he was off on several throws. He did put some really good passes in there, especially on the touchdowns, but he wasn’t quite as accurate as normal.
They’ll have a lot of things to work on, but week 1, it’s all about get the win!!
September 7th, 2025 at 8:15 pm
I’ve been a critic on these boards of Baker, and yeah, he missed quite a bit today, against better teams it will come back to bite us…that being said, 2 minutes left in the game, Baker delivered.
You can keep the gaudy stats, finish at the end. Bake did his part, despite Chase almost choking this game away. We lucked out, but I liked our chances in OT, I feel like our offense was picking up speed and the Falcons were grinding for every single yard.
September 7th, 2025 at 8:16 pm
Baker finds a way to put the Bucs in a position to win ! If his passing game is off he runs for first downs. Yes, I agree with all that he should have played in the preseason for 1-2 quarters. Add to that the new OC and shifting of the O line, and rookie receivers, it’s a wonder he was able to complete 3 TD passes. Baker is a fighter, and a winner, the Buccaneers are blessed to have him !!
Go Bucs !! Beat the Texans !!
September 7th, 2025 at 8:34 pm
Week 1 is the new preseason, it just happens to count in the standings.
September 7th, 2025 at 8:42 pm
3 TDs, no picks or fumbles, and a huge road win over the biggest threat to the team winning the division, with a last minute reshuffling of the OL including his LT and C? I’ll take it. Every game doesn’t have to be pretty, so long as it’s not dreadfully ugly.
September 7th, 2025 at 8:58 pm
For this not to be our starting offense of line, they did pretty damn good switching up players
September 7th, 2025 at 9:05 pm
Uno mas:
HOW DO THEY REVIEW A PLAY AFTER THEY LET THE NEXT PLAY RUN
September 7th, 2025 at 9:08 pm
And, it will continue. Unless, something change FAST. THIS is not ‘who’ he is when he is at his best. He’s HOT a prototypical’ drop-back’ passer. He’s just NOT. He is at HIS best under tempo, ‘dinking and dunking’ and getting into a RYTHYM. THIS was a whole lot more “Canales-Baker” than “COEN-Baker.” RWhite had only THREE touches, I think!? With TWO of our TOP 2 WR’s OUT. I just wonder how many times they ran a ‘two-back’ set today!? Last season Cohen absolutely KILLED-IT when having BOTH in there!!!! The ‘run game’ is PUTRID. It ALL looked just exactly the same as it did all during the preseason. It’s just waaayyy too predictable. I thought for sure (or was hoping) it’d at least ‘look’ A LOT different with Baker in there running the show… Thought it’d look a lot FASTER. It Wasn’t.
September 7th, 2025 at 9:12 pm
It’s Canales 2.0 Baker. Not gonna change either, unless the entire scheme changes. We’ve seen this movie before.
September 7th, 2025 at 9:32 pm
Baker is scrappy but he’s definitely not elite. He’s probably in a 3rd tier of NFL QBs.
September 7th, 2025 at 10:00 pm
and we’re missing so many players on offense imagine this unit full force with all its players
September 7th, 2025 at 10:35 pm
The Atlanta fans started singing the “Hey Hey Good Bye” song a little too early. We were 63 yards away with 2:10 left in the 4th quarter. Baker and the boys weren’t quite through just yet. 😁
September 7th, 2025 at 10:46 pm
Cfl has 18 games, 2 preseason plus grey Cup playoffs.
September 7th, 2025 at 10:55 pm
Offense and defense did just enough to find a way to win. Counts 1 win whether by 3 or 30 points. I’ll take it.
September 7th, 2025 at 11:04 pm
Bucs reality check, it’s you that needs a reality check. All third tier and most if not all 2nd tier QBs lose that game today to Atlanta. Reshuffled at game time o-line and an all-pro receiver, as well as another starter from last year out. Really?
l
September 7th, 2025 at 11:48 pm
Baker was terrible. Inconsistent and erratic. Exactly why a long term deal that takes up the Bucs cap is a huge gamble. Penix outplayed him and he’s still learning the NFL game.
September 7th, 2025 at 11:53 pm
Sticking with forecast that Bucs win 12 games, Baker 45 TD’s, 10INT’s, and Bucs play in NFC Championship. It will have to be the offense that gets us there. This defense does not shut down when they have to. It is going to be an exciting season as long as Baker stays healthy.
September 8th, 2025 at 12:24 am
View. If Baker would have thrown for 5 TD with 400 yards and fumble the ball on that drive all his stats wouldn’t have mean nothing. Baker came threw when at the end and again I rather a cluch quarterback than a stat guy. Baker played good enough because when the game was in his hands he came through that’s all I need Baker to do and it don’t have to be every time but just come through more than not because ain’t no quarterback in perfect. Brady has lost games before when it was time for him to be cluch.
September 8th, 2025 at 1:40 am
Baker passer rating 99, QBR 87, TD’S 3, The WIN
Penix passer rating 93, QBR 83, TD’s 1, The LOSS
I’m sure all the last minute change up’s didn’t affect anything
September 8th, 2025 at 7:24 am
FACT – The Bucs open the season against their top Division rivals on the road and escape with a WIN!
It was ugly…to the degree that ANY win can be ugly.
What to take from it? Relief! The Bucs did not have their OL which has been one of the teams major strengths. Bakers rust took awhile to wear off but we saw why he is a winner, getting it done without his A game.
What to take from it strategically. What to learn? NOTHING. It’s not rocket science or bad coaching or GM decisions that made yesterdays version of an OL play worse that the ACTUAL starters. Still again they did great.
And yet half the comments act like the Bucs suck and woe is me.
September 8th, 2025 at 11:27 am
stpetebucsfan Says:
September 8th, 2025 at 7:24 am
And yet half the comments act like the Bucs suck and woe is me.
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stpete, that’s par for the course on here. We both are used to it.
September 8th, 2025 at 3:20 pm
Baker’s stats weren’t impressive, that is agreed. Take into consideration the last minute change to the O-line and the fact that Baker didn’t play in preseason. I think they did good enough and when they have everyone back from IR, they will be a force to be reckoned with. Not a fancy win yesterday, but they did beat the strongest threat in the division. Don’t be a Negative Nancy. It’s going to be a good season. Go Bucs!
September 8th, 2025 at 10:29 pm
We are so lucky Baker wasnt hurt on the roughing the passer play. That was close to being exactly what hurt Godwinn last year. The guy fell and just about trapped Bakers foot at a bad angle. Slow motion shows it, it was soo close. 😬