by The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued their winning ways, defeating the San Francisco 49ers 30-17 to move to 5-1 on the year… and Baker Mayfield did it with a banging offense.
Mayfield already lost Emeka Egbuka without Chris Godwin, Mike Evans and Bucky Irving in the third quarter to injury, but still found a way to get the win. Kameron Johnson (64 yards, one touchdown), Tez Johnson (45 yards, one touchdown), Cade Oton (51 yards) and Sterling Shepard (51 yards) all advanced.
Baker had just six incompletions, going 17 of 23 for 256 yards and two touchdowns, while Rachaad White (65 rush yards, one touchdown on 17 carries) did the dirty work on the ground.
Considering the way Tampa Bay won, CBS Sports’ John Breech gave Todd Bowles’ team an “A” grade for their performance.
“If the NFL decided to award the MVP award after Week 6, it would probably have to go to Baker Mayfield,” Breech wrote. “The Bucs won this game without Mike Evans or Chris Godwin, and once the team is fully healthy, they will have to be considered a legitimate Super Bowl contender, if they aren’t already.”
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The matchup with the Detroit Lions would be one that would be met with excitement, but the Buccaneers could be without Evans, Godwin, Egbuka and Irving for what looms as a crucial NFC showdown.
One thing we know about Bowles’ teams is that they fight to the end with Mayfield under center. This Tampa Bay team won’t go quietly at Ford Field.
Now that they’ve crossed the line against the 49ers, those same role players will have to step up again when Mayfield has his top four weapons behind him. They showed they can do it last week, but consistency is crucial in the NFL, and Tampa Bay needs that now more than ever.
Beat Detroit and this Buccaneers team will gain admiration it hasn’t seen since Tom Brady won a Super Bowl, but with this injury list, that could be a tall order. However, doubt Tampa Bay and Mayfield at your own peril.
