The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continued on their winning ways, beating the San Francisco 49ers 30-17 to move to 5-1 on the year…and Baker Mayfield did it with a banged-up offense.
Already without Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, and Bucky Irving, Mayfield lost Emeka Egbuka to injury in the third quarter, yet still found a way to pull out the win. Kameron Johnson (64 yards, one touchdown), Tez Johnson (45 yards, one touchdown), Cade Otton (51 yards), and Sterling Shepard (51 yards) all stepped up.
Baker had just six incompletions, going 17 of 23 for 256 yards and two touchdowns, while Rachaad White (65 rush yards, one touchdown from 17 carries) did the dirty work on the ground.
Given the manner in which Tampa Bay won, CBS Sports’ John Breech has given Todd Bowles’ team an “A-” grade for their performance.
“If the NFL decided to hand out the MVP award after Week 6, it would probably have to go to Baker Mayfield,” Breech writes. “The Bucs won this game without Mike Evans or Chris Godwin, and once the team is fully healthy, they’ll have to be considered a legitimate Super Bowl contender, if they’re not 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.
Having gotten over the line against the 49ers, those same role players will need to step up again if Mayfield is down his four top weapons. They showed last week they can do it, but consistency is crucial in the NFL, and Tampa Bay needs it now more than ever.
Beat Detroit, and this Buccaneers team will get adulation it hasn’t seen since Tom Brady won a Super Bowl, but with this injury list, that might be a tall order. Still, doubt Tampa Bay and Mayfield at your peril.
