Baker Mayfield and company made it interesting, adding a touchdown with 0:33 remaining after a seven-play, 65-yard drive that lasted only 0:58. The Bucs then attempted an onside kick, but were unable to recover.
Mayfield technically outdueled Maye, going 28-of-43 for 273 yards and three touchdowns to no interceptions. But walking away with the loss is what the quarterback hopes his team remembers more than any stat line.
“Offensively, I am hoping our guys do get pissed off about this,” said Mayfield after the game. “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.”
With running back Bucky Irving still sidelined due to a shoulder injury, and no timeline yet for his return (that latest update from Todd Bowles on Monday), the Bucs have ridden Rachaad White as the starter, and leaned on third-year back Sean Tucker to spell him. On Sunday, Tucker had the only rushes of 10-plus yards and finished as Tampa’s leading rusher with 53 yards.