6 winners (and 2 losers) from Buccaneers dominant win over Saints
It was a blowout on the bayou, and a handful of Bucs players stepped up in a big way.
By Josh Hill
Winner: Baker Mayfield
Hating on Baker Mayfield has proven to be the FTX of hot takes, and the stock continues to plummet.
It was yet another bad week for the Baker doubters, as Mayfield had his best performance of the season on just about every level. He was on fire in the win, throwing for 246 yards and three touchdowns while only committing one turnover. He once again showed a grittiness that the rest of the team fed off of, and added to his growing portfolio of angry runs.
Whether it was scrambling for first downs or putting his body on the line to extend plays, Baker had one of the gutsiest performances we've seen out of a Bucs quarterback since -- well, since he did it three weeks ago in Minnesota.
Huge block from Rachaad White! Springs Baker for a 1st downโฆ #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/dNbvZkj0rn
โ ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ฐ ๐๐น๐ผ๐ฏ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ (@ZacOnTheMic) October 1, 2023
Baker's final touchdown pass of the game -- one that daggered the Saints -- combined all of the things he's been doing well so far this season. He showed patience in the pocket, used his legs to extend the play, and threw a dime to Deven Thompkins for the score.
Baker is Baking.
โ NFL (@NFL) October 1, 2023
๐บ: #TBvsNO on FOX
๐ฑ: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/Jq9JHUeqb6 pic.twitter.com/s3ZuwyveFv
That's not the Baker Mayfield folks are used to seeing, but it's been a pleasant sight for Bucs fans who are quickly falling in love with him. After the game, Baker told the media that the narrative is starting to flip, which speaks to both how the team is being perceived as well as the quarterback leading the charge.