The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ season ended Sunday on one final throw from quarterback Baker Mayfield that went completely awry. The heartbreak he felt afterward was palpable.
The Buccaneers were on their last legs trailing 31-23 against the Detroit Lions with under two minutes to play at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich.
Tampa Bay started the late drive from their own 10. Mayfield connected with wide receiver Mike Evans for a 5-yard gain on first down.
With the clock winding down, the Bucs QB tried to hit tight end Cade Otton in the middle of the field past the sticks. Mayfield’s pass was read perfectly and intercepted by Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes.
DETROIT CAN FEEL IT. #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/3h31FBHtKV
— NFL (@NFL) January 21, 2024
That interception sealed the win for the Lions, ending the Bucs’ season.
Mayfield expressed the emotions he felt after the game.
“It sucks. I feel like my heart just got ripped out,” Mayfield said of his final interception.
“It sucks. I feel like my heart just got ripped out.” #nflnetwork
-Baker Mayfield— Sara Walsh (@Sara_Walsh) January 21, 2024
Mayfield had one of the best comeback stories of the season. The Oklahoma alum went from battling for a job to becoming the clear-cut, record-setting QB1 on a playoff team. But the happy ending Mayfield was hoping for went to the Lions.
Mayfield went 26/41 for 349 yards with 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
