Baker Mayfield vows to fix a lack of “killer instinct” in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Pro Bowl quarterback threw for 273 yards and three touchdowns without an interception in Sunday's 28-23 loss to the New England Patriots, but says “little things” that make the difference between good and great teams are holding the four-time defending NFC South champions back.
Poor execution on offense and uncharacteristic mistakes on defense were culprits against the Patriots (8-2), who scored on three plays of 55 yards or more.
“Little things will get you beat,” Mayfield said.
“We didn't have any rhythm on offense, we didn't have any rhythm on defense, we didn't have any rhythm on special teams, and it showed,” coach Todd Bowles said.
The Patriots had three TDs of 50-plus yards.
“They were inexcusable on our part. Bad on the coaching, bad on the players,” Bowles said.
The Bucs (6-3) took the opening kickoff and drove 65 yards in six plays to take a 7-0 lead. By the time they got in the end zone again, New England had surged to a 21-10 lead with Drake Maye throwing for a pair of touchdowns and TreVeyon Henderson scoring on a 55-yard run.
“At some point, when stuff comes up during the week, whether it's mistakes or things we talk about and then it shows up on Sundays, you have to have pride about you,” Mayfield said. “You gotta have the fear of that failure and messing up for your teammates. ... You have to have that responsibility and accountability for the guys around you and get it fixed.”
Despite a slew of injuries that have forced Bowles to juggle his lineup from week to week, Mayfield has the Bucs off to another solid start and in a position to repeat as division champs.
The quarterback said the offense lacks a “killer instinct” and resolving that issue begins with him performing better in some situations.
“We are a good team. But to be great, when you score on the opening drive, you know what it looks like, you set the tone, you're not satisfied with it. You come back and in your head, it's 0-0 and you go do it again,” Mayfield said. “Right now, I think we are lacking that on offense, and it comes down to me. That's my job to get that fixed, and I will do that.”
The Bucs, who were coming off a bye week that provided some much-needed rest, continue a challenging stretch of the schedule with road games the next two weeks against the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams.
“Offensively, I am hoping our guys do get (upset) about this,” Mayfield said. “This isn't the end of our season, I know that. We still have very important games ahead of us. But games like this, when you don't win them, it should sting. It should really hurt.”
Mike Vrabel, in his first year coaching the team he won Super Bowls with as a player, has the Patriots (8-2) leading the AFC East after going 4-13 last season. The Patriots, who have won seven straight, completed a four-game sweep of the NFC South with the victory over the Bucs, who still lead the division.
“It’s not always perfect but I love the way they compete,” Vrabel said. "It was a long game. It’s a tough place to play. It was a warm day and they’re good.”
After Maye threw an interception in the end zone, the Patriots made a big stop on fourth-and-3 at their own 27. Henderson then sealed the win with a 69-yard TD run, his second long TD spring of the day.
The rookie finished with a career-high 147 yards rushing on 14 carries.
“It honestly felt good,” Henderson said. “This season comes with a lot of ups and downs in the NFL, but I thank God for the way he’s allowed it to go because he’s matured me a lot in my faith. He drew me closer to him. I’ve been trying to trust the process, being present in the moment and during game time, whatever opportunity comes my way, try my best to take advantage of it.”
The Buccaneers were the first team in NFL history to have each of their first four wins of the season come on a game-winning score in the final minute of regulation. They had a chance to do it again when Tykee Smith intercepted Maye’s pass from the 2 in the end zone with 5:17 left.
But on fourth down, Mayfield was swarmed by the defense and flipped a pass to Rachaad White that fell short of the first down just outside the red zone.
Mayfield threw his second TD pass of the game to Tez Johnson in the final minute, but New England recovered the ensuing onside kick.
“We didn’t play well. We have to take it on the chin. Give Vrabel and the Patriots a lot of credit," Bowles said. "They did a heck of a job of doing the things they needed to do. Their players made plays, our players did not. We’ve got to coach it better, we’ve got to play it better and that starts with me.”
The Bucs visit the Buffalo Bills next Sunday.
