Page 30 - AM231003
P. 30
30 SPORTS AWEMainta Diamars, 3 October 2023
Baker Mayfield’s Resurgence Leads
Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Victory
WHEN Tom Brady retired, the NFC South appeared to be up Mayfield’s career appeared to be in jeopardy after leaving
for grabs. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, having replaced the Cleveland, but his recent success has defied expectations.
legendary quarterback with Baker Mayfield, who had strug- During Tampa Bay’s training camp, Mayfield’s position as
gled with the Cleveland Browns, were among the teams the starting quarterback was not assured, as he competed
expected to vie for the division’s top spot. The New Orleans with 2021 second-rounder Kyle Trask. Despite signing only
Saints, armed with four-time Pro Bowler Derek Carr at quar- a one-year deal, Mayfield is now making a case for a multi-
terback, were seen as contenders as well. year contract as a starting quarterback.
As the 2-1 Saints faced off against the 2-1 Buccaneers, While the teams Mayfield has defeated this season—the
New Orleans had the perceived advantage at the quarter- Saints, Chicago Bears, and Minnesota Vikings—are not
back position. However, the game unfolded quite differ- Super Bowl contenders, his performance has been notable.
ently. Baker Mayfield, once deemed not good enough to be With a 69.6% completion rating this season, he is on pace to
a Cleveland Brown, led the Buccaneers to a convincing 26-9 throw for 29 touchdowns and over 3,500 yards. He currently
victory. Mayfield completed 25 of 32 passes, accumulating ranks seventh in QBR rating among NFL starters, ahead of
246 yards and three touchdowns. quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson, Trevor Lawrence, and
Jalen Hurts.
Mayfield’s tenure with the Browns had been plagued by
disappointment, leading to the team’s controversial acquisi- Mayfield’s resurgence has breathed new life into the
tion of Deshaun Watson. However, Watson was sidelined due Buccaneers and left his former team, the Browns, with ques-
to injury, and the Browns, with backup Dorian Thompson- tions about their future. As the NFL season unfolds, Baker
Robinson, suffered a 28-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Mayfield’s journey continues to be a captivating storyline,
Cleveland’s struggles extend beyond quarterback uncer- reminding us that in football, as in life, unexpected come-
tainty. backs are always possible.
