Baker Mayfield trash talking the Saints is exactly what the Buccaneers need

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off their worst performance of the season, losing to the Detroit Lions 24-9 in Week 7. It was only the second loss of the year for the Bucs, so they still sit atop the NFC South. In Week 8, Tampa Bay will look to get back on track as they take on the worst team in the division: the New Orleans Saints.

New Orleans is 1-6, but the Buccaneers aren’t overlooking the divisional opponent. That was evident in comments from Baker Mayfield on Wednesday, where he made it clear this isn’t just another game. The quarterback admitted to the media that he hates the Saints, and accused them of not playing clean when the Bucs have shared the field with them.

Baker Mayfield admits he hates Saints, says New Orleans doesn’t play clean

Those comments certainly won’t go over well in New Orleans, but the Saints already have enough to worry about, and Mayfield is entitled to feel how he feels. The games between the two NFC South members have historically been contentious. Typically, though, Mike Evans and Marshon Lattimore were at the center of the negative energy between the two teams. This time around, that won’t be the case, as Evans is on injured reserve, and Lattimore is with the Washington Commanders.

Mayfield is doing his part to keep the feeling alive, though. While rivalries are fun, and harboring hard feelings for a divisional opponent is expected, winning is still priority No. 1. The Buccaneers have been taking care of that priority in their recent meetings with New Orleans. Tampa Bay has won the last two games against the Saints, and is 5-1 against New Orleans over the last three years.

Mayfield, who joined Tampa Bay in 2023, is 3-1 against the Saints as the Bucs quarterback, and 4-1 all time against New Orleans. Tampa Bay will be facing the worst Saints team in years on Sunday, so the Buccaneers should take care of business.