Last January, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ surprising playoff journey ended at the hands of the Detroit Lions. Now, quarterback Baker Mayfield feels that Sunday’s game against the Lions will reveal much about his team’s capabilities and postseason goals.
Following a win over the Washington Commanders in their season opener, Mayfield and the Buccaneers head to Detroit aiming to make a significant impact. The Lions recently defeated the Los Angeles Rams 26-20 in overtime.
For Mayfield, this game serves as a key benchmark.
“Yeah, this is definitely one of those,” Mayfield shared on the team’s website. “Every week, you need to bring your A-game. At this level, failing to show up means you can lose any week.
This is a test – on the road against a team that made it to the NFC Championship, where we aim to be. It’s a measuring stick to see how we match up with top competition and assess how our team performs early in the season. It’s a long season, but this game can teach us a lot.”
Mayfield shone in Week 1, throwing for 289 yards and four touchdowns against Washington, but Detroit’s defense will pose a greater challenge.
Some NFL experts suggest that the Buccaneers vs. Lions game could hint at a future NFC Championship matchup. This game will provide a clearer picture of how serious Tampa Bay’s playoff prospects are as they face one of the league’s strongest teams.
