Todd Bowles wants Baker Mayfield to start making smarter throws

Among the many things that went wrong for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Sunday's loss to the Falcons was how bad some of Baker Mayfield's throws were.

Unlike frustrations with the defense, Mayfield's struggles sting even more because his play has been one of the brightest spots of the season thus far. Despite the recent losses, Baker is playing at an MVP level and has the numbers to back up that argument.

Through eight games, Mayfield is Top 3 in both completion percentage and total yards while leading the league in touchdown passes. He also leads the league in interceptions, though, which is something that has plagued Tampa Bay's offense over the past few weeks.

Baker had thrown just two interceptions over the Bucs first five games, but has seven in the last three. That's alarming, and is something that head coach Todd Bowles is getting frustrated with.

Todd Bowles addresses recent uptick in Baker Mayfield interceptions

While speaking to the media on Monday and sifting through the wreckage of Sunday's loss, Bowles discussed, among other things, how the Bucs need Baker to make smarter throws.

"Just understanding when we're in scoring position, trying not to force every ball. Sometimes it's not there, sometimes you can make a great throw, but not force every ball and get it to the guy that's open. Sometimes three points is better than a turnover," Bowles said.

It's not just that Mayfield is throwing interceptions at a concerning clip, it's how each one of them is backbreaking. All interceptions by definition are drive killers, but the timing of Baker's picks couldn't be worse.

Both of Baker's interceptions on Sunday came on balls thrown inside of the Falcons' 10-yard line; the first was on the first offensive drive of the second half and the second came in the fourth quarter when the team badly needed a spark.

Each time, momentum builds that the Bucs could have used to swing the game back in their favor. Baker has been one of the biggest reasons Tampa Bay has put together such a successful season so far, but he's starting to create problems the team has shown it can't make up for on the other end.

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