Baker Mayfield believes the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ win on Sunday over the Carolina Panthers was more a message about his team’s potential than a statement victory.
“I think it’s a statement internally for us, not to anybody else, but for us,” Mayfield told reporters after the game, via Scott Smith of the Buccaneers’ official site.
“This is what it’s supposed to look like. No, it’s not always going to look like that, it’s the NFL, but operation-wise and when it comes to complementary football, this is what the potential for this team can have so it’s a statement within ourselves.”
Mayfield, who missed three games with a thumb injury, returned to action in time to face his former team. He didn’t throw the ball much, passing for only 64 yards and a touchdown on 7/11 completions, but the Buccaneers did more than enough to secure a 43-13 demolition of Bryce Young and company.
Tampa Bay’s ground attack led the team’s offense, with Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell combining for 194 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while the Buccaneers’ defense forced four turnovers and held Carolina’s attack to only 266 yards.
The Buccaneers are third in the NFC South standings with a 2-5 record, behind the 3-3 Panthers and 3-4 Atlanta Falcons.
