Tag: Baker Mayfield

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield is not a fan of playing in primetime

When Baker Mayfield was asked about the excitement surrounding a primetime game, the former number-one overall pick gave an honest answer.

Playing in primetime during a Thursday, Sunday night, or Monday night game in front of a national audience means a lot to a player. Well, it usually does, but in the case of Baker Mayfield, he doesn’t seem to give it much thought.

When Baker Mayfield was asked about the excitement surrounding a primetime game, the former number-one overall pick gave an honest answer.

“I don’t really care. If anything, I don’t like waiting around all day. I’d rather play earlier. But it’s the next opportunity. I get juiced up for that no matter what. It’s another opportunity with this group that we have to continue to build and try to get better.”

Mayfield and his competitiveness has never been in doubt, not enjoying a primetime game though is a bit of a downer. What makes up for it is the fact he gets this amped for a football game regardless of the opponent or setting.

Whether it be in college or the NFL, Mayfield has never shied away from being brutally honest about how he sees and enjoys the game of football.

Baker Mayfield and the Bucs are not losing site of the bigger picture

Baker Mayfield and the Bucs realize what is at stake each week as the team controls their own destiny, and they are not losing sight. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their fans have been through the wringer in 2024, and despite that, they find themselves on top of the NFC South. The team has rallied after a 4-6 start to the year to now have a four-game winning streak under their belt and can make that five with a win over the Cowboys in Week 16.

Baker Mayfield and the Bucs realize what is at stake each week as the team controls their own destiny, and they are not losing sight.

The former Heisman Trophy winner spoke to the media on Wednesday and was asked if the team was focused on winning one game at a time, he responded, “Absolutely. I think [Head] Coach [Todd Bowles] hit on it. When we started fast early in the year, Denver came in and took it to us. So, it’s one-game-at a-time mentality, and this is the next one. We’ve got to be focused on that.”

That philosophy will serve the team well as one could argue each game is a trap game for them as they look to finish out the season. The Cowboys, Panthers, and Saints have a combined record of 14-28. None of them have anything to play for at this point other than playing spoiler to the Bucs.

Could an Oklahoma Sooners transfer target be a Heisman contender in 2025?

One of Oklahoma’s transfer targets could be a Heisman contender in 2025 according to USA TODAY Sports.

After Colorado defensive back/wide receiver Travis Hunter edged Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty for the 2024 [autotag]Heisman Trophy[/autotag], some already have their eyes on the next recipient of the award.

The Oklahoma Sooners are no strangers to the coveted trophy; seven OU players have won the Heisman. Running backs [autotag]Billy Vessels[/autotag], [autotag]Steve Owens[/autotag] and [autotag]Billy Sims[/autotag] won in the 20th century. Quarterbacks [autotag]Jason White[/autotag], [autotag]Sam Bradford[/autotag], [autotag]Baker Mayfield[/autotag] and [autotag]Kyler Murray[/autotag] are OU’s 21st century winners. autotag]Josh Heupel[/autotag], [autotag]Adrian Peterson[/autotag] and [autotag]Jalen Hurts[/autotag] finished as runners-up for the prestigious award.

But looking ahead, could the 2025 winner of the Heisman Trophy be wearing a Sooner uniform?

The answer could be found via the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag]. In fact, USA TODAY Sports already has a list of potential Heisman candidates for 2025, identifying 11 players.

One of those players was former Washington State quarterback John Mateer. He has entered the transfer portal and will be one of the top quarterbacks available. He’s expected to be at the top of Oklahoma’s wish list at the position.

That’s because Oklahoma’s new offensive coordinator [autotag]Ben Arbuckle[/autotag] coached Mateer to an excellent season in Pullman in 2024. With Arbuckle in Norman, the Sooners could have an inside track to landing the native Texan.

Mateer’s former offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle recently took the same job at Oklahoma and would be an obvious potential landing spot if he decides to enter the transfer portal, although he may very well be a Heisman contender regardless of what school he plays for next year. – Austin Curtright, USA TODAY Sports

Mateer signing with OU would be massive for the program. The Sooners struggled at the quarterback position all year, and he would be an upgrade at the position.

Furthermore, he already knows Arbuckle’s offense, so there would be much less of a learning curve for him under center.

Mateer is expected to have plenty of other suitors, so the Sooners will have to pay up if they want to bring him to Norman.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @Aaron_Gelvin.

Chargers PFF grades: Best, worst performers in Week 15 loss to Buccaneers

Spotlighting Pro Football Focus’ highest and lowest-graded Chargers players from the loss to the Buccaneers.

In Week 15, the Chargers were outmatched by the Buccaneers in their 40-17 loss.

Along the way, there were some standout performers and others who did not contribute as much.

Here are the best and worst performers from Sunday’s contest, according to Pro Football Focus’ player grades.

Top 5 Offense

OT Joe Alt — 75.1

WR Quentin Johnston — 73.2

OT Rashawn Slater — 69.6

QB Justin Herbert — 63.4

OL Jamaree Salyer — 63.3

Top 5 Defense

DT Poona Ford — 79.0

DT Teair Tart — 78.5

S Derwin James — 75.6

S Elijah Molden — 72.3

LB Junior Colson — 72.2

Bottom 5 Offense

RB Kimani Vidal — 45.9

WR Josh Palmer — 47.8

TE Eric Tomlinson — 49.9

TE Stone Smartt — 50.5

TE Tucker Fisk — 50.8

Bottom 5 Defense

CB Cam Hart — 26.0

LB Daiyan Henley — 35.7

EDGE Khalil Mack — 39.1

DT Otito Ogbonnia — 41.0

S Marcus Maye — 45.8

Chargers overwhelmed by Buccaneers: Instant analysis of Week 15 loss

Here’s our recap of the Chargers’ loss to the Buccaneers, who overwhelmed Los Angeles in every facet of this game.

The Chargers stood no chance against the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay won, 40-17. Los Angeles is now 8-6.

Here’s our recap of L.A.’s Week 15 loss.

It was over when…

Baker Mayfield connected with Mike Evans for a 35-yard touchdown to go up 30-17. There was no answer to the Buccaneers’ offensive dominance.

Notable number

Justin Herbert’s streak without an interception ended at 357 attempts. Herbert failed to become the first player in NFL history without an interception in 12 consecutive games within a single season.

3 stars of the game

  1. WR Ladd McConkey: 5 catches, 58 yards, touchdown
  2. WR Quentin Johnston: 5 catches, 45 yards, TD
  3. S Elijah Molden: 9 tackles, tackle for loss

Quick hits

  • The Chargers were outgained by nearly 300 yards. They only had 207 compared to the Buccaneers’ 505.
  • Los Angeles was 0-of-6 on third-down opportunities, while the Buccaneers were 9-of-15.
  • The Chargers allowed the Buccaneers to rush for 223 yards. Los Angeles only had 32 rushing yards.
  • The Chargers’ cornerbacks struggled to cover Mike Evans all game. Evans had nine catches for 159 yards and two touchdowns.
  • The Chargers’ second-half offensive struggles continued, as they failed to score a single point. On the other hand, the Buccaneers scored on five consecutive possessions and put up 27 points in the second half.
  • Baker Mayfield was kept upright for most of the game, as he was only hit three times. The same can’t be said about Justin Herbert, who was under duress for most of the game. Herbert was hit 13 times and sacked three times.
  • The Chargers defense held the Buccaneers to one score on four trips to the red zone.
  • Los Angeles forced two turnovers, an interception and a forced fumble.

What’s next?

The Chargers face the Broncos (9-5) in a crucial divisional matchup on Thursday night, Dec. 19, at 5:15 pm PT.

Mike Evans stays on track for 1,000 receiving yards after long TD

To the benefit of Evans and the Bucs, Baker Mayfield found him downfield for the longest reception of the season.

Coming into Sunday’s matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers, Bucs All-Pro wide receiver Mike Evans needed to average 102.5 receiving yards per game in the season’s final stretch to hit 1,000 receiving yards. Evans had missed time this year with a hamstring injury; otherwise, that number wouldn’t be as big as it is.

To the benefit of Evans and the Bucs, Baker Mayfield found him downfield for the longest reception of the season.

The reception would go for 57 yards, and it would result in a touchdown for the Bucs and Evans. It came on an extended play where Baker Mayfield would roll to his left and be forced to throw the pass across his body.

None of that would matter as he made the throw on the spot for Evans, and he never lost momentum during the play. As much credit goes to the former Aggie as it does Mayfield, as not many wide receivers are keen enough to follow their quarterback’s movement.

 

Turnovers have Bucs down at halftime against the Chargers

The Bucs would go into halftime with two turnovers, both on back-to-back drives, which has the Chargers leading things 17-13.

All week, we wrote about the turnover margin being an important category for the Bucs to win if they want to have a competitive chance against the Chargers. Through the first two-quarters of their Week 15 matchup, the Bucs are not doing a good job of winning that.

The Bucs would go into halftime with two turnovers, both on back-to-back drives, which has the Chargers leading things 17-13.

Baker Mayfield turned the ball over first for the team as they started a drive in the second quarter. The Chargers capitalized and turned that into seven points on a Justin Herbert touchdown pass to Quentin Johnston.

They followed that drive up with one that had Rachaad White getting a case of the fumbles. The Bucs’ defense stepped up, though, and was able not to let the Chargers score off of another turnover.

In the second half, the Bucs will need to force a turnover or two if they want to make this a competitive game.

Chargers highlight: Tarheeb Still gets his fourth interception of the season

The broadcast said it best: Tarheeb Still is becoming a ballhawk.

The broadcast said it best: Tarheeb Still is becoming a ballhawk.

Since being drafted in the fifth round this offseason, Still has emerged as a key component of the Chargers defense with Asante Samuel Jr. on injured reserve and Kristian Fulton, Deane Leonard, and Cam Hart all missing time at points this season.

Initially thought to be mostly a slot corner, Still has stuck on the outside for LA, coming into the week tied for the team lead with three interceptions. On Sunday, Still decided he was tired of being level with safety Elijah Molden.

After the Chargers tied the game at 10 midway through the second quarter, Still undercut a Buccaneers route and intercepted quarterback Baker Mayfield on the first play of the next drive, handing LA the ball back on the Buccaneers 27 yard line.

Still’s fourth interception of the year continues to cement his status as this year’s top rookie corner.

https://x.com/chargers/status/1868419871203344803

Chargers highlight: Ladd McConkey finds the end zone to tie the game vs. Buccaneers

Ladd McConkey has his first touchdown in almost two months.

Ladd McConkey has his first touchdown in almost two months.

After the Chargers gave up a 7 play, 70 yard touchdown drive to Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers, Los Angeles took the ball back looking to match Tampa Bay’s pace. Justin Herbert threw his first two passes to McConkey to jumpstart the drive, putting LA at midfield.

After five more plays, a pass interference penalty on Bucs safety Christian Izien, and an encroachment call on edge rusher Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, the Chargers took a 2nd and 5 snap from the Tampa Bay 7 yard line.

Herbert rolled to his right as McConkey shadowed him across the field, hauling in a pass in the end zone despite tight coverage. McConkey made the contested catch to tie the game, his fifth score of the season.

It’s a good sign for the Chargers going forward, as McConkey’s availability was in question with knee and shoulder injuries coming into the week.

https://x.com/chargers/status/1868411803652506041

Jalen McMillan emerging as a trusted target for Bucs QB Baker Mayfield

Several Bucs players have stepped up to help Baker Mayfield, and no one has done more in recent weeks than rookie Jalen McMillan.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense has remained reliable in 2024 despite the time missed by both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. While Evans has returned from his hamstring injury, Chris Godwin remains out for the year, but you wouldn’t know it.

Several Bucs players have stepped up to help Baker Mayfield, and no one has done more in recent weeks than rookie Jalen McMillan.

McMillan is one of six Washington Husky players on the roster and is on pace to be a playmaker like the rest of them. It took a while for McMillan to get a connection going after some tough drops to start the year, but as we get into December, the connection is there.

More important than the connection, the trust Mayfield has in McMillan to make plays is paramount to their success.

In Week 14 against the Raiders, McMillan found the endzone twice. On Sunday against the Chargers, McMillan was back there for the third time in two weeks with a catch and score on the team’s opening drive.

You can watch the play below courtesy of the Bucs social media team.