Regardless that they completed first within the NFC South final season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers weren’t anticipated by many to win the division once more this season, particularly after they headed into their bye week with a 4-6 file and misplaced broad receiver Chris Godwin for the season.
However they’ve now received 4 video games in a row and are in first place with an 8-6 file.
Sadly for them, quarterback Baker Mayfield is coping with a knee damage that pressured him to sit down out observe on Wednesday.
Baker Mayfield listed as DNP on Buccaneers observe report with knee damage https://t.co/1V1xNwC3CG pic.twitter.com/uG6l08dEq6
— Round The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) December 18, 2024
Mayfield was a giant storyline final 12 months in his first go-around with Tampa Bay following 5 star-crossed seasons to begin his profession.
When the Cleveland Browns took him No. 1 general within the 2018 draft, he was anticipated to be their long-awaited franchise savior, however he couldn’t put all of it collectively, and he was traded to the Carolina Panthers previous to the 2022 season.
However final 12 months, he grew to become his finest self by throwing for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns and incomes his first journey to the Professional Bowl.
In 14 video games this 12 months, he’s at 3,617 passing yards, 32 passing touchdowns and a 70.8 p.c cross completion charge, and he ranks fourth, third and third, respectively, within the NFL in these classes.
Tampa Bay will go to a Dallas Cowboys crew that has perked up recently by profitable three of its final 4 video games, and thus it is not going to be a straightforward sport for Tampa Bay.
However Mayfield and crew will play the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints afterward to shut the common season, and in the event that they win out, they’ll win the division and make the playoffs once more.
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