<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-guarantee-gut-wrenching-loss-cowboys');   ga('set', 'title', 'Baker Mayfield makes guarantee after Buccaneers gut-wrenching loss to Cowboys');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Buccaneers-news-Baker-Mayfield-makes-guarantee-after-gut-wrenching-loss-to-Cowboys.jpg"></figure><h1>Baker Mayfield makes guarantee after Buccaneers gut-wrenching loss to Cowboys</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-23T07:31:23-08:00">December 23rd, 7:31am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-23T07:31:23-08:00">December 23rd, 7:31am</time><address><a>Owen Crisafulli</a>Owen Crisafulli is a Senior Editor and NFL Lead at ClutchPoints. He recently received his Masters in Business Administration from Nichols College. Previously, he obtained his Bachelor's degree in Sport Management and for a while ran his own sports website. Sports are his passion, and he thoroughly enjoys writing about thoughts and opinions that are related to the game. He has been a lifelong fan of the major professional teams in Boston and loves discussing all topics surrounding those teams.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered Week 16 in control of their destiny in the NFC South. They left having fallen to second place in the division, as they suffered a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-most-blame-week-16-loss-cowboys">crushing 26-24 upset defeat</a> at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys on “Sunday Night Football.” Things aren’t looking great for the Bucs with just two games left, but <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-weapon-injury-snf-cowboys">Baker Mayfield</a> made it clear afterwards that just because they are down, doesn’t mean they are out.</p><p>With the Atlanta Falcons falling apart, the Buccaneers had stormed back to take control of the NFC South. With their loss, though, and the Falcons beating the New York Giants, they dropped back down to second place in their division, lowering their chances of making the playoffs. After the game, though, Mayfield indicated there’s no quit in Tampa Bay, even though their <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/401671790" rel="noopener">path to the playoffs</a> just became a lot more difficult.</p><p>“I’ve said it all along, this group will not quit. That’s the standard that we try to set. It’d be nice to not have to be in that situation, if we’d take care of business earlier in the game,” Mayfield said after the loss, per ESPN.</p><h2><b>Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers still alive in NFC South battle</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Buccaneers-quarterback-Baker-Mayfield.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Buccaneers and Falcons both have 8-7 records, but Atlanta holds the tiebreaker since they beat Tampa Bay in both of their head-to-head matchups this season. However, Tampa Bay finishes off their regular season campaign with a pair of home games against the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints, so they should have a decent shot to win both those contests.</p><p>Atlanta, meanwhile, has to take on a tough Washington Commanders team in Week 17, before closing things out against the Panthers, so Tampa may still have the inside track. However, it won’t mean anything if they deliver another dud performance like they did in Week 16 against the Cowboys. Mayfield is intent on bouncing back, though, and Tampa Bay will have to do just that if they want to find their way into the playoffs.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Baker Mayfield makes guarantee after Buccaneers gut-wrenching loss to Cowboys

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-brutally-honest-rachaad-whites-game-losing-fumble');   ga('set', 'title', 'Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield gets brutally honest on Rachaad White’s game-losing fumble');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Baker-Mayfield-gets-brutally-honest-on-Rachaad-Whites-game-losing-fumble.jpg"></figure><h1>Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield gets brutally honest on Rachaad White’s game-losing fumble</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-23T07:29:10-08:00">December 23rd, 7:29am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-24T15:50:37-08:00">December 24th, 3:50pm</time><address><a>Rexwell Villas</a>Rexwell Villas is an experienced sports writer covering a variety of sports, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college football. He's a Communications Arts graduate from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, and he claims to have JR Smith's conscience with his shot selection. He has won a basketball, a baseball, and a football championship in fantasy all within a year.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers looked as though they were close to pulling off a stunning come-from-behind win on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, but a brutal fumble committed by running back Rachaad White off a pass from Baker Mayfield foiled that scenario from playing out.</p><p>Tampa Bay was down by nine points with less than five minutes left in regulation and that deficit was cut down to two points following Mayfield’s 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Ryan Miller and the ensuing extra-point kick from Chase McLaughlin.</p><p>The Bucs’ stop unit then stepped up and forced the Cowboys to punt with 1:52 remaining in the fourth quarter. However, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-most-blame-week-16-loss-cowboys">Buccaneers failed to capitalize on a golden opportunity</a> to go on a game-winning drive, as White lost possession of the ball that was ripped from his hands by Cowboys defensive back DaRon Bland.</p><p>Mayfield <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/401671790" rel="noopener">shared his thoughts on that turnover</a> that doomed the Buccaneers.</p><p>“He had two hands on the ball. Obviously, you’ve got to be careful,” Mayfield said after the 26-24 loss to Dallas about White’s fumble, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). “The same thing happened to me earlier in the game. They made some plays when it mattered. It’s all about the ball, and they did good taking it away.”</p><p>Mayfield also had a big blunder in the Cowboys game as he threw an interception earlier in the fourth quarter when the Bucs were down by nine points. Overall, the former Oklahoma Sooners star went 31-for-43 for 303 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception while also taking four sacks for a loss of 27 yards versus Dallas.</p><p>White, meanwhile, recorded 10 rushing yards on three carries and 50 receiving yards on seven receptions and eight targets.</p><h2><b>The Buccaneers no longer have full control of their NFL playoff destiny</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Baker-Mayfield-with-Tampa-Bay-Buccaneers-2.jpg"><figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Tampa Bay’s loss to the Cowboys came on the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/falcons-news-michael-penix-jr-instant-reaction-successful-first-start">same day that the Atlanta Falcons defeated the New York Giants</a>, which resulted in identical 8-7 records for the two NFC South division franchises.</p><p>The Falcons, however, have the tiebreaker over the Bucs, as Atlanta has two wins over Tampa Bay this season. In other words, the Buccaneers need Atlanta to lose at least one game in the next two weeks to have a chance of making the NFL playoffs as they cannot catch any teams ahead of them in the Wild Card standings.</p><p>The Bucs have the Carolina Panthers up next in a home game in Week 17.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield gets brutally honest on Rachaad White’s game-losing fumble

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-weapon-injury-snf-cowboys');   ga('set', 'title', 'Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield loses weapon to injury during SNF vs. Cowboys');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Buccaneers-news-Baker-Mayfield-loses-weapon-to-injury-during-SNF-vs.-Cowboys.jpg"></figure><h1>Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield loses weapon to injury during SNF vs. Cowboys</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-22T21:27:27-08:00">December 22nd, 9:27pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-22T21:27:27-08:00">December 22nd, 9:27pm</time><address><a>Dakota Zientek</a>Dakota Zientek graduated from the University of Iowa in 2020 and has been writing about the NFL ever since. As a die-hard NFL fan, Dakota's fandom rides with the Chicago Bears through thick and thin -- regardless of how much pain it has caused his heart throughout the years. One day, he believes he will celebrate the Bears winning a Super Bowl. Maybe even... a few?</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Dallas Cowboys</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>During Sunday Night Football, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-vs-cowboys-predictions-pick-odds-spread-for-nfl-week-16">Tampa Bay Buccaneers faced the Dallas Cowboys</a>, and receiver Sterling Shepard left the game with a hamstring injury. He was later <a href="https://x.com/JennaLaineESPN/status/1871038215928647823" rel="noopener">ruled out</a>, per ESPN’s Jenna Laine on X.</p><p>Shepard made it mostly through the first quarter, hauling in just one pass for 20 yards on Sunday night.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/bucs-news-lavonte-david-hypes-up-rookie-jalen-mcmillan#:~:text=McMillan%20is%20one%20of%20three,of%20flying%20under%20the%20radar.">Rookie Jalen McMillan</a> stepped up in Shepard’s place, scoring a touchdown late in the first half and cutting their deficit to seven points.</p><h2><b>Buccaneers WR Sterling Shepard having improved 2024 season</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Sterling-Shepard.jpg"><figcaption>Bob Donnan-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>After eight seasons with the New York Giants, Sterling Shepard signed with the Buccaneers in free agency. With a new environment and better quarterback <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-news-tampa-bay-reunites-baker-mayfield-former-oklahoma-weapon">play alongside his former college teammate</a> Baker Mayfield, Sterling is seeing a revival of his career in Tampa Bay.</p><p>In his first season in Tampa Bay, Shepard has caught 31 passes for 323 yards and a touchdown.</p><p>Upon signing with the team, there were reasons to believe he wouldn’t have much of an impact. Sterling joined the Buccaneers following consecutive seasons with fewer than 200 receiving yards, and the bar wasn’t incredibly high.</p><p>However, he’s been a consistent player for Mayfield and the Buccaneers to count on, especially with the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-news-mike-evans-suffers-concerning-injury-vs-ravens">injuries to Mike Evans</a> and Chris Godwin.</p><p>Once Godwin got placed on the IR after suffering a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-chris-godwin-suffers-apparent-gruesome-injury-in-loss-to-ravens">season-ending ankle injury</a> against the Baltimore Ravens, Shepard’s role expanded.</p><p>From Week 8 on, Shepard finished just two games with fewer than five targets— not including Week 16, after exiting in the first quarter.</p><p>Now, as the Buccaneers rely on the Atlanta Falcons to lose for a chance at making the playoffs, they don’t control their own postseason destiny.</p><p>And after losing Shepard, McMillan’s role could expand, as the rookie has strung together a few strong performances heading into Week 16.</p><p>Tampa Bay has a chance of making the playoffs, but it’s a much lower chance following their loss.</p><p>Shepard’s return time is unclear, but with their playoff door closing, the hope is that he’ll be back soon.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield loses weapon to injury during SNF vs. Cowboys

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl-rumors-steelers-eyeing-baker-mayfield-contract-extension-russell-wilson');   ga('set', 'title', 'NFL rumors: Steelers eyeing Baker Mayfield-like contract extension for Russell Wilson');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/NFL-rumors-Steelers-eyeing-Baker-Mayfield-like-contract-extension-for-Russell-Wilson.jpg"></figure><h1>NFL rumors: Steelers eyeing Baker Mayfield-like contract extension for Russell Wilson</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-20T12:36:29-08:00">December 20th, 12:36pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-20T12:36:29-08:00">December 20th, 12:36pm</time><address><a href="https://haydencilley.wixsite.com/hayden-cilley-s-port">Hayden Cilley</a>Hayden Cilley joined ClutchPoints in August 2024 as a Phoenix Suns and Mercury reporter, as well as an Associate Editor. Hayden graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University while covering events like the 2023 NCAA Men's Final Four, the 2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl and the Arizona State men's swim and dive team. He recently covered the Phoenix Mercury for The Next Hoops and PHNX Sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Through a 10-4 start, the Pittsburgh Steelers have the opportunity to give a Baker Mayfield-like contract extension to quarterback Russell Wilson. On The Herd with Colin Cowherd, his guest Jordan Schultz detailed <a href="https://x.com/TheHerd/status/1870190728598712581" rel="noopener">what the amount would be</a>.</p><p>“There is a very good chance Steelers extend Russell Wilson similarly to what Tampa did with Baker Mayfield,” Schultz said. “Three years, $100 million.”</p><p>Mayfield has had the best season of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He’s thrown for 3,612 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. He’s eclipsed his most passing touchdowns per season (28) through 14 games. On the flip side, the Steelers quarterback has been performing well for his team. Although <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/steelers-russell-wilson-made-calf-injury-worse-in-preseason">Wilson dealt with a lingering calf injury</a> to start the season, he’s been on a roll since.</p><p>In eight games, Wilson has thrown for 1,912 yards, 13 touchdowns, and only three interceptions. Not to mention, he’s leading the Steelers to a 6-2 record in those starts. After signing a one-year deal, it’s clear that he’s proved his value. A brutal season with the Denver Broncos put question marks around if he had the skill and talent. Luckily for Steelers fans, Wilson still has it.</p><h2><b>Steelers could give Russell Wilson a Baker Mayfield-like extension</b></h2><p>A three-year, $100 million extension wouldn’t be the worst case for Pittsburgh. However, backup quarterback Justin Fields showed some promise in Wilson’s absence. In six starts, he went 4-2 and posted <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WilsRu00.htm" rel="noopener">1,106 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception</a>. While the statistics weren’t the most impressive, he played efficient football. Fast forward to Wilson’s return, and the offense unlocked another dimension.</p><p>His play this season has sparked compliments from his head coach, Mike Tomlin. The Steelers coach gave an ‘inspiring’ take on Wilson’s resurgence. That can help him land a lucrative contract, much like it did for Mayfield. The Buccaneers quarterback threw for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in the 2023-24 season. One year after his contract extension, he’s elevated his game.</p><p>Furthermore, Mayfield is younger than Wilson. It might <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/why-steelers-must-must-not-hand-russell-wilson-big-contract-extension-this-offseason">not be as wise to give Wilson an extension</a> because of his age. Luckily, he’s in the AFC North, a defensive division. They’ll need Wilson to be a game manager and make big plays when he needs to. It won’t be like Seattle, where he’s consistently asked to carry the team to victory. Even if $100 million is a lot to some, it might be worth it to Pittsburgh.</p><p>They haven’t had a franchise quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger. The former Seahawks quarterback may not play for a long time, but he can supplement the Steelers with consistency at the signal-caller position.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NFL rumors: Steelers eyeing Baker Mayfield-like contract extension for Russell Wilson

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-misses-practice-ahead-cowboys-knee-injury');   ga('set', 'title', 'Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield misses practice ahead of Cowboys clash with knee injury');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Baker-Mayfield-misses-practice-ahead-of-Cowboys-clash-with-knee-injury.jpg"></figure><h1>Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield misses practice ahead of Cowboys clash with knee injury</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-18T16:19:13-08:00">December 18th, 4:19pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-18T20:46:22-08:00">December 18th, 8:46pm</time><address><a>Derek Hryn</a>Derek Hryn is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints specializing in NFL and NCAA Football coverage. Derek was previously a fantasy football expert at DK and SB Nation, and he has been featured at FanSided, USA Today, NBC Sports, The New York Post, and others.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfc-playoff-picture-after-rams-take-control-of-nfc-west-in-week-15">pushing to remain in NFC playoff contention</a>, but there could be a huge blemish on the injury report leading up to a Week 16 matchup with the Dallas Cowboys.</p><p>Baker Mayfield <a href="https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/1869515798022349224" rel="noopener">did not practice</a> on Wednesday because of a knee injury, per Tom Pelissero on X, formerly Twitter. It’s uncertain how serious the ailment is, but it’s certainly <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/why-buccaneers-are-a-clear-super-bowl-contender-after-blowout-win-over-chargers">not what the Buccaneers need</a>, riding a four-game win streak.</p><p>Mayfield has thrown for 3,617 yards and 32 touchdowns in his seventh campaign, and has been locked in with star wide receiver Mike Evans as the tandem attempts to lead their squad to a playoff appearance. On a side note, Mayfield gives Evans the best opportunity to reach his incredible 1,000-yard milestone. He is currently sitting on 749 yards, and has three more games left to hit 1,000 yards for his 11th consecutive NFL season.</p><p>At 8-6, the Tampa Bay is looking like one of the league’s strongest offenses with Mayfield under center. It would certainly make things difficult if the 29-year-old gunslinger finds himself on the injury report going into the weekend.</p><h2><b>Buccaneers’ Week 16 outlook if Baker Mayfield doesn’t play</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Baker-Mayfield-1.jpg"><figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Buccaneers are very balanced offensively. As high-powered they are in the passing game, the backfield has been just as explosive with Rachaad White and Bucky Irving operating in a timeshare.</p><p>Each game is being treated <a href="https://www.buccaneers.com/news/baker-mayfield-fast-starts-bucs-have-keep-foot-gas" rel="noopener">like a must-win</a>.</p><p>“We’ve done an exceptional job of starting fast,” said Mayfield, per Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com. “Now it’s about not taking your foot off the gas and still being consistent. Why have we started fast? Guys are executing the plan. Whatever is being called, we’re executing at a high level. It’s just got to stay that way. There needs to be no drop-off. You have to hit the reset button. It goes back to good or bad, the next play is the most important one.”</p><p>As the team continues to try and fend off the 7-7 Atlanta Falcons for the NFC South, it’s doesn’t go unnoticed that any potential Mayfield absence could spell trouble down the stretch.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield misses practice ahead of Cowboys clash with knee injury

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/vikings-news-sam-darnold-baker-mayfield-comparisons-questions');   ga('set', 'title', 'Vikings’ Sam Darnold draws Baker Mayfield comparisons, but there are questions');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Vikings-news-sam-Darnold-draws-Baker-Mayfield-comparisons-but-there-are-questions.jpg"></figure><h1>Vikings’ Sam Darnold draws Baker Mayfield comparisons, but there are questions</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-16T11:54:32-08:00">December 16th, 11:54am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-16T11:57:01-08:00">December 16th, 11:57am</time><address><a href="https://matthew516sports.substack.com/">Douglas Fritz</a>Douglas Fritz has been writing about sports for almost four decades and publishes a Christian sports newsletter and podcast on Substack at Matthew516Sports. He started as a reporter for the student newspaper at East Tennessee State University, worked his way up to Editor-In-Chief, and began his sports writing career at the Johnson City Press daily newspaper while still in college. During 30-plus years at the Press, he covered University of Tennessee football, men's and women's basketball, ETSU athletics, and high school athletics. Among the people he has interviewed are Dale Murphy, Bobby Cox, John Smoltz, and Bruce Smith. He is also a Christian-based screenwriter (five feature-length and one short), book writer (three completed manuscripts and one novel), and songwriter.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Sam Darnold finds himself in an interesting situation with the Minnesota Vikings, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/vikings-news-kevin-oconnell-fun-daniel-jones-truth-bomb">who have Daniel Jones on the practice squad</a> along with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl-rumors-vikings-more-open-minded-sam-darnold-future">J.J. McCarthy on the injured list</a>. Darnold has drawn Baker Mayfield comparisons, but there are questions about his future with the Vikings.</p><p>Darnold’s situation is similar to that of Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield, who signed a one-year, $4 million contract to compete for the Buccaneers’ starting job in 2023. Mayfield threw for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns that season and led the Buccaneers to the divisional round of the playoffs. Earlier this year, he re-signed for three years and $100 million. Will Darnold get that kind of deal?</p><p>Mayfield has turned in another strong season, tied — with Darnold — for third in the NFL with 28 touchdown passes. Mayfield is fourth with 3,329 yards for a Bucs team that appears headed for the playoffs again.</p><h2><b>Vikings QB Sam Darnold having impressive season</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Minnesota-Vikings-QB-Sam-Darnold.jpg"><figcaption>Matt Krohn-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Darnold has likely changed opinions across the NFL, giving him a wide variety of options across the league if he becomes a free agent. However, there is a big question. Is Darnold excelling because of head coach Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings’ talented receivers? One NFL executive brought <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/42982044/nfl-vikings-sam-darnold-free-agent-jj-mccarthy-daniel-jones" rel="noopener">that question to light</a>, according to espn.com.</p><p>“What’s Darnold doing versus what’s the product of the (Vikings’ system)?” the executive said. “The first half of the season he’s playing with a lead every game. Now their games have gotten stickier and he’s doing more. That could be a trend.”</p><h2><b>Darnold’s numbers hard to ignore</b></h2><p>Darnold has thrown for 3,299 yards this season with a serious 28-to-10 TD-to-interception ratio. However, first and foremost, his record of 11-2 heading into Monday night’s game against the Bears stood out the most. Darnold bounced back strongly from a recent poor game against Jacksonville. But he <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/matthew-coller-sam-darnold-s-rise-starts-with-the-simple-things-01jf7yqky0jq" rel="noopener">proved his worth</a>, according to O’Connell’s comments via Sports Illustrated.</p><p>“I think there can be incredible growth in moments where, maybe on the outside, it seemed leaving Jacksonville like there’s something really wrong,” O’Connell said. “Sam’s going back in Monday morning and, based upon a lot of things that Josh (McCown), Grant (Udinski), and myself talked to him about, almost self-coaching. ‘If I just have better feet there or I don’t know why my eyes were there.’ (It) was an incredible growth moment for him to just come back the next week and start stacking some things.”</p><p>Furthermore, Darnold said he’s comfortable in O’Connell’s offense.</p><p>“The thing that I talk about all the time is the amount of time we’ve put into this offense since April, we’ve been running very similar concepts even during the season that we’ve been running since then,” Darnold said. “So just the comfort level that I have with those play-action passes to be able to go run them in games very seamlessly and go find completions no matter where they are, whether they’re 5 yards down the field or 50 yards down the field.”</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Vikings’ Sam Darnold draws Baker Mayfield comparisons, but there are questions

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-new-career-high-with-td-explosion-vs-chargers');   ga('set', 'title', 'Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield sets new career high with TD explosion vs. Chargers');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Buccaneers-news-Baker-Mayfield-sets-new-career-high-with-TD-explosion-vs-Chargers.jpg"></figure><h1>Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield sets new career high with TD explosion vs. Chargers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-16T07:06:59-08:00">December 16th, 7:06am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-16T07:06:59-08:00">December 16th, 7:06am</time><address><a>Rexwell Villas</a>Rexwell Villas is an experienced sports writer covering a variety of sports, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college football. He's a Communications Arts graduate from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, and he claims to have JR Smith's conscience with his shot selection. He has won a basketball, a baseball, and a football championship in fantasy all within a year.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/tampa-bay-buccaneers-bold-predictions-for-week-15-vs-chargers">Tampa Bay Buccaneers are taking control of the NFC South</a>. They continue to tighten their grip on the top spot of the division following a huge 40-17 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday. That win against the Bolts also served as another reminder about how far quarterback Baker Mayfield has gone since his “second chance” in the league.</p><p>Against the Chargers, the former Heisman Trophy winner passed for 288 yards and four touchdowns with just an interception while completing 22 of his 27 throws. That was quite an accomplishment for Mayfield, especially when considering the fact that the Chargers have one of the stoutest defenses in the entire NFL. Even after the loss to the Bucs, the Chargers are still tied for first in the league <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/stats/team/_/view/defense/table/passing/sort/totalPointsPerGame/dir/asc" rel="noopener">with just 17.6 points allowed per contest</a>.</p><p>And by tossing four touchdowns in the Los Angeles game, Mayfield managed to break the NFL career high he set in his first season with the Buccaneers. In 2023, the former Oklahoma Sooners star signal-caller had 28 touchdowns to go along with 4,044 passing yards and 10 interceptions on a 64.3 percent completion rate. He’s been much better in 2024. Through 15 weeks of football this season, Mayfield has passed for 3,617 yards and 32 touchdowns against 14 interceptions while completing 70.8 percent of his passes.</p><h2><b>Baker Mayfield shines anew for the Buccaneers in important win against the Chargers</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Tampa-Bay-Buccaneers-quarterback-Baker-Mayfield-6-celebrates-the-victory.jpg"><figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Mayfield broke his career-high with his 29th touchdown pass of the 2024 season early in the opening quarter of the Chargers game when he found wide receiver Jalen McMillan for the contest’s first score. Mayfield would strike twice in the third quarter with two touchdowns tosses to the ever-reliable wideout Mike Evans. His fourth TD game came with under seven minutes remaining in regulation, as he fired a pass to running back Rachaad White for an 11-yard score.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/how-baker-mayfield-managed-save-nfl-career-traded-from-browns">Mayfield once looked like he was done in the NFL</a> when he split ways with the Carolina Panthers in 2022 but a stint with the Los Angeles Rams in the 2023 campaign <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/401671762" rel="noopener">revived his pro career</a>, leading to a signing with the Buccaneers.</p><p>“I have always had self confidence,” Mayfield said on Sunday, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). “There were ups and downs, but that’s just the journey of the NFL career. I just wanted to get in the right spot and Tampa Bay has been that for me from the jump.”</p><p>The 8-6 Buccaneers can further boost their chances to make the NFL playoffs in Week 16 when they pay the Dallas Cowboys a visit in Arlington.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield sets new career high with TD explosion vs. Chargers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-warning-opponents-40-chargers');   ga('set', 'title', 'Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield sends opponents a warning after putting 40 on Chargers');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Baker-Mayfield-send-warning-to-opponents-after-dropping-40-on-Chargers.jpg"></figure><h1>Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield sends opponents a warning after putting 40 on Chargers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-16T07:03:26-08:00">December 16th, 7:03am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-16T07:03:26-08:00">December 16th, 7:03am</time><address><a>Christopher Hennessy</a>Christopher Hennessy graduated with a journalism degree from Fordham University in 2022. He has also worked at Spectrum News One in Albany, New York and with The Hockey Writers as a New York Islanders writer. Chris is originally from Connecticut and is a lifelong New York Yankees, Islanders, and Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/tampa-bay-buccaneers-bold-predictions-for-week-15-vs-chargers"> beat the Los Angeles Chargers 40-17 on Sunday</a>. Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans hooked up for 159 yards and two touchdowns. The veteran receiver and journeyman quarterback crushed the Bolts for their fourth straight win and kept the NFC South lead. Mayfield knows defensive coordinators <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/401671762" rel="noopener">took notice</a>.</p><p>“I can only imagine for a defensive coordinator what it is like to scheme against us with the personnel changes and we have a lot of plays off plays in the same formation. It’s tough to defend that,” Mayfield said, per ESPN.</p><p>This season has been a complete rollercoaster for Mayfield and the Buccaneers. They started hot, with a 3-1 record in September with wins over the Eagles and Lions. They lost a shootout to the Falcons, an overtime heartbreaker to the Chiefs, and another one to Atlanta while losing Chris Godwin and Evans to injury. But the last four weeks have turned the tide in Tampa.</p><p>The Buccaneers have won four games in a row, while <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/falcons-most-to-blame-week-14-loss-vikings">the Falcons have lost four in a row</a> heading into Monday Night Football. Their previous three wins were over the Giants, Panthers, and Saints, so not as impressive as this victory. Smoking a solid Chargers defense should put the Bucs on everyone’s radars.</p><h2><b>Buccaneers bearing down on another division title</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Mayfield-with-TB-Buccaneers.jpg"><figcaption>Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>If the Buccaneers win the NFC South, which is likely after this win, it will be their fourth straight division title and fifth straight playoff appearance. From Tom Brady to Baker Mayfield, it has been a dominant half-decade for Tampa in a sub-par division. They are in the driver’s seat after they dominated a game many expected them to lose.</p><p>The Buccaneers have a very easy schedule for the remainder of the regular season. Their final matchups with the Cowboys, Panthers, and Saints open up the possibility of an 11-win season. If they win out and finish on a seven-game winning streak, no one will want to face them in the playoffs.</p><p>Last year, the Buccaneers won the NFC South at 9-8 and beat the Eagles in the Wild Card Round. This year, they could be hosting the Packers or Commanders in a high-flying battle. That is why the defensive performance on Sunday was as important. They picked off Justin Herbert for the first time since September and held them to just 17 points.</p><p>Don’t rule out the Buccaneers from playing spoiler in the NFC playoffs after their dominant performance in Week 15.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield sends opponents a warning after putting 40 on Chargers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-love-latest-injury-updates-key-playmakers');   ga('set', 'title', 'Baker Mayfield will love latest injury updates for key Buccaneers playmakers');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Buccaneers-news-Baker-Mayfield-will-love-latest-injury-updates-for-pair-of-key-offensive-playmakers.jpg"></figure><h1>Baker Mayfield will love latest injury updates for key Buccaneers playmakers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-15T07:11:56-08:00">December 15th, 7:11am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-15T07:13:59-08:00">December 15th, 7:13am</time><address><a>Ben Strauss</a>Ben Strauss is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He is a die-hard NFL fan who cheers for the Detroit Lions. He has previously written fantasy football content for IDPGuys and ImportantNonsense.com.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are fighting for their lives during the final four weeks of the 2024 season. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl-power-rankings-week-15-vikings-roll-as-steelers-get-revenge">Tampa Bay is 7-6 heading into Week 15</a> and is <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfc-playoff-picture-buccaneers-nfc-south-from-falcons-week-14">barely in control as the NFC South division leader</a>. The only path where Tampa can make the playoffs is by winning the division, which makes the next four games incredibly important. Thankfully, the Buccaneers got some positive injury updates on Sunday.</p><p>Tampa Bay is set to get a couple of players back from injury for Sunday’s game against the Chargers.</p><p>Both Sterling Shepard and Bucky Irving are expected to play on Sunday, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Shepard is <a href="https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1868191622791634968" rel="noopener">questionable on the injury report with a foot injury</a>. Irving is also <a href="https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1868191676856258639" rel="noopener">questionable with both back and hip injuries</a>.</p><p>These are both huge injury updates for the Buccaneers.</p><p>Getting Shepard back into the lineup is critical with Chris Godwin on injured reserve. He helps round out the offense with Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan.</p><p>Meanwhile, Irving has emerged as the lead back in Tampa this season. It is hard to overstate his importance down the stretch, so it is great that Irving is able to play despite being banged up.</p><p>The Buccaneers will need to be at full strength to take on a tough Chargers squad.</p><h2><b>Buccaneers’ Todd Bowles reveals biggest challenge in defending against Justin Herbert</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Bucs-head-coach-Todd-Bowles-.jpg"><figcaption>Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>One of the toughest challenges in playing the Chargers is stopping QB Justin Herbert.</p><p>Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles opened up on Thursday about <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-news-todd-bowles-biggest-challenge-defending-justin-herbert">how difficult it is to slow down Herbert</a>.</p><p>“He does a great job taking care of the football and understanding the offense,” Bowles said. “If it’s not there, he can use his legs; if it’s there, he’s got a cannon of an arm. He can zip it in. He trusts his receivers – they do a good job of mixing it up.”</p><p>Herbert is having one of his most efficient seasons of his career despite a poor supporting cast. He has thrown for 2,764 yards with 14 touchdowns and only one interception. Those may not be eye-popping stats, but they are enough to win games when paired with a strong defense and running game.</p><p>Sunday’s game is hugely important for both teams as they fight for seeding in the postseason. This could end up being one of the best games of the weekend.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Baker Mayfield will love latest injury updates for key Buccaneers playmakers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/chargers-news-baker-mayfield-gives-props-to-derwin-james-ahead-of-week-15-clash');   ga('set', 'title', 'Baker Mayfield gives props to Chargers’ Derwin James ahead of Week 15 clash');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Baker-Mayfield-gives-props-to-Derwin-James-ahead-of-Week-15-clash.jpg"></figure><h1>Baker Mayfield gives props to Chargers’ Derwin James ahead of Week 15 clash</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-11T22:47:28-08:00">December 11th, 10:47pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-11T22:47:28-08:00">December 11th, 10:47pm</time><address><a>Matty Breisch</a>Matty Breisch is a multifaceted writer who specializes in NFL and WWE content at ClutchPoints. He can be read at Heavy, FanSided, Philadelphia Sports Network, and right here at ClutchPoints. Are you ready to read about football and wrestling? Well, you've come to the right place.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Chargers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfc-playoff-picture-buccaneers-nfc-south-from-falcons-week-14" rel="noopener">fully taking first place in the NFC South</a> in Week 14, Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers don’t exactly get to take things easy in Week 15, as they have a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-vs-chargers-predictions-pick-odds-spread-for-nfl-week-15-2024" rel="noopener">one-way ticket to Los Angeles</a> to face off against the Chargers.</p><p>A tough task for any team? You bet, but especially for said team’s quarterback, as Mayfield will be throwing to a defense headlined by Derwin James, who is having himself a season for LA this year.</p><p>Asked about that challenge, Mayfield noted that the Chargers play very, very hard, and<a href="https://www.buccaneers.com/news/tampa-bay-buccaneers-quote-sheet-12-11-24" rel="noopener"> they will have to plan accordingly</a>.</p><h2><b>Baker Mayfield is impressed by the Chargers’ entire secondary</b></h2><p>Expanding out his gaze, Mayfield had kind words to say about the entire Chargers’ secondary, as they can catch up on a team quickly if they aren’t playing A+ football.</p><p>Sitting pretty with the <a href="https://steelersdepot.com/2024/12/2024-nfl-turnover-differentials-through-week-14/" rel="noopener">third-best turnover differential in the NFL at 11</a>, the Chargers have been stealing possessions from opposing teams all season. Considering Mayfield has already thrown 13 picks in 13 games so far this season, that fact does deserve special attention from the Heisman winner.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Baker Mayfield gives props to Chargers’ Derwin James ahead of Week 15 clash

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-ties-career-high-tampa-bay-moves-into-first');   ga('set', 'title', 'Baker Mayfield ties career high as Buccaneers move into first');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Buccaneers-news-Baker-Mayfield-ties-career-high-as-Tampa-Bay-moves-into-first.jpg"></figure><h1>Baker Mayfield ties career high as Buccaneers move into first</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-08T14:54:47-08:00">December 8th, 2:54pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-09T15:57:58-08:00">December 9th, 3:57pm</time><address><a>Jackson Stone</a>Jackson Stone is a Mercer University senior from Atlanta on track to graduate with a BA in communications. A lifelong sports lover, Jackson is a die-hard fan of all Atlanta teams. He joined ClutchPoints in 2023.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>On Sunday afternoon, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Las Vegas Raiders in a back-and-forth contest at home to pick up their third straight victory and move back into first place in the NFC South. That is in part thanks to a four-game losing streak from the Atlanta Falcons. While the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/falcons-news-raheem-morris-kirk-cousins-statement-vikings-debacle">Falcons were busy getting smacked by the Minnesota Vikings</a>, the Buccaneers took care of business at home against Las Vegas, led by a strong performance from quarterback Baker Mayfield.</p><p>During the game, Mayfield completed 18 of his 29 pass attempts for 295 yards and three touchdowns against two interceptions. With his third touchdown pass of the game, Mayfield <a href="https://x.com/ScottSBucs/status/1865862857755136151" rel="noopener">tied his career high</a> of 28 such passes on the season, a benchmark he set last year in his first season with the Buccaneers and seems more than likely to surpass over the next few games (per Scott Smith on X).</p><p>Mayfield has been up and down at times so far this year but remains one of the better quarterbacks in the league overall, validating the large contract the team handed him this past offseason.</p><h2><b>Will the Buccaneers win the NFC South?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Baker-Mayfield-makes-a-throw-against-the-Carolina-Panthers.jpg"><figcaption>© Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>A few weeks ago, the Buccaneers looked dead in the water in their quest to repeat as NFC South champions, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-news-chris-godwin-surgery-could-mean-he-has-played-last-game">dealing with significant injuries</a> to many of their skill positional weapons and losing games while the Falcons were busy taking control of the division.</p><p>However, the Falcons are now in a freefall thanks to some significant regression from Kirk Cousins, and now that the Buccaneers’ schedule has lightened up, they have taken advantage of the opportunity and moved back into first place.</p><p>Still, head coach Todd Bowles knows that there is nothing to celebrate just yet.</p><p>“Todd Bowles says he told the team after the win that BEING in first is one thing, STAYING in first is a whole other thing,” reported Smith.</p><p>Tampa Bay has made the playoffs in four consecutive seasons, having won the Super Bowl in 2020-21 with Tom Brady at the helm and having an impressive showing a season ago, making it to the divisional round and nearly knocking off the Detroit Lions on the road.</p><p>This year hasn’t been as smooth of sailing for the team, as the Buccaneers have dealt with major injuries and inconsistent play, but if Tampa Bay has proven one thing over the years, it’s that they should never be counted out.</p><p>Up next for the Buccaneers is a road game against the Los Angeles Chargers.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Baker Mayfield ties career high as Buccaneers move into first

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-gets-injury-update-after-achilles-scare');   ga('set', 'title', 'Baker Mayfield gets injury update after Achilles scare');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Baker-Mayfield-gets-injury-update-after-Achilles-scare.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>Baker Mayfield gets injury update after Achilles scare</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-04T14:40:32-08:00">December 4th, 2:40pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-04T14:40:32-08:00">December 4th, 2:40pm</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Las Vegas Raiders</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield was <a href="https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/1864421562838864003" rel="noopener">listed</a> as a full participant in Wednesday’s practice, according to NFL Insider Tom Pelissero, after being cleated during the team’s Week 13 overtime win against the Carolina Panthers. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-thought-he-popped-achilles-panthers">Despite initial concerns about a potential Achilles injury</a>, Mayfield returned to action and helped secure a 26-23 victory.</p><p>Mayfield completed 21 of 33 passes for 235 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. He finished the game with a 63.6% completion rate, a passer rating of 69.6, and a QBR of 9.5, marking one of his least efficient performances of the season. While the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-bryce-young-played-his-balls-off">Buccaneers emerged with a critical win</a>, Mayfield’s struggles against Carolina highlighted areas for improvement as the team heads into the final stretch of the season.</p><h2><b>Baker Mayfield practices as Mike Evans, Bucky Irving sit out ahead of Week 14 matchup vs. Raiders</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Baker-Mayfield-6-drops-back-to-pass-during-the-second-half-.jpg"><figcaption>© Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Despite the challenging game, Mayfield has been a steady presence for Tampa Bay this year. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfc-playoff-picture-after-buccaneers-win-falcons-lose-in-week-13">Buccaneers hold a 6-6 record, tying the Atlanta Falcons</a> for first place in the NFC South. Across 12 games, Mayfield has amassed 3,034 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He is enjoying a career-best season with a 70.8% completion rate and a 101.3 passer rating, underlining his importance to the team’s offensive success.</p><p>The Buccaneers are dealing with additional injury concerns as they prepare for their Week 14 home game against the Las Vegas Raiders (2-10). Specifically, running back Bucky Irving (hip/back) and wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring/calf) did not participate in Wednesday’s practice, leaving their statuses uncertain. The team will need its key players healthy as it looks to extend a two-game winning streak and maintain its grip on the division race.</p><p>Tampa Bay’s matchup against the Raiders presents a chance to build momentum as the playoffs approach. With Mayfield leading the offense and the defense stepping up in critical moments, the Buccaneers aim to solidify their position atop the NFC South and make a strong push for the postseason.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Baker Mayfield gets injury update after Achilles scare

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/buccaneers-news-todd-bowles-update-baker-mayfield-knee-injury');   ga('set', 'title', 'Buccaneers’ Todd Bowles provides update on Baker Mayfield leg injury');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Todd-Bowles-provides-update-on-Baker-Mayfield-knee-injury.jpg"></figure><h1>Buccaneers’ Todd Bowles provides update on Baker Mayfield leg injury</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-02T10:27:12-08:00">December 2nd, 10:27am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-02T10:27:12-08:00">December 2nd, 10:27am</time><address><a>Troy Finnegan</a>Troy Finnegan is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2023 with a degree in journalism and minors in communications and sports media, as well as a critical sports studies certificate. He has had a passion for sports his entire life, and enjoys covering and writing about all sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>There was plenty of reason to panic for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday when <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-thought-he-popped-achilles-panthers">Baker Mayfield left the game with an apparent leg injury</a>. Kyle Trask came into the game for Mayfield, but the Buccaneers starter quickly returned to the game and threw an interception on his first snap back in the game before leading Tampa Bay to a 26-23 victory over the Carolina Panthers in overtime.</p><p>On Monday, head coach Todd Bowles <a href="https://x.com/ScottSBucs/status/1863636426304196731" rel="noopener">provided an optimistic update</a> on Mayfield’s injury, according to Buccaneers senior writer Scott Smith.</p><p>“Todd Bowles says QB Baker Mayfield has a sore leg,” Smith reported on X, formerly Twitter. “He thinks Mayfield will be comfortable by Sunday’s game but isn’t yet sure about his practice status this week.”</p><p>Mayfield led the Buccaneers down the field three times in the fourth quarter and overtime to secure a critical victory for his team, which is now in a tie for first place in the NFC South. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-injury-scare-vs-panthers">Mayfield drove Tampa Bay into field goal range</a> at the end of regulation for a game-tying field goal to force overtime and did it again on the first possession of the extra period, but the field goal was missed. After a Chuba Hubbard fumble, Mayfield got the Buccaneers a third opportunity and they took advantage to come away with a miraculous win.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/baker-mayfield-joins-tom-brady-in-buccaneers-franchise-history-with-latest-feat">Mayfield has found a home in Tampa Bay</a> and is having a career resurgence in his second season with the Buccaneers. After tumultuous stops with the Cleveland Browns, the Los Angeles Rams and the Panthers, Mayfield has cemented himself as a consistent starter in the league.</p><p>Mayfield is having an excellent season despite dealing with multiple injuries to his top pass catchers. Through 12 games, the former Oklahoma star is completing nearly 71% of his passes for 3,034 yards and 25 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. Mayfield has also rushed for three scores.</p><p>He is doing all of that despite a season-ending injury to star wide receiver Chris Godwin that he suffered on Oct. 21 and a hamstring injury that kept Mike Evans out for nearly a month. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen has done a masterful job of keeping the passing game afloat no matter who is catching passes and rebuilding what was one of the worst rushing attacks in the NFL last season. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-bryce-young-played-his-balls-off">Mayfield has consistently executed</a> at quarterback, and the Buccaneers have a real chance to win the NFC South as a result.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Buccaneers’ Todd Bowles provides update on Baker Mayfield leg injury

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-bryce-young-played-his-balls-off');   ga('set', 'title', 'Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield claims Bryce Young ‘played his balls off’');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Buccaneers-news-Baker-Mayfield-claims-Bryce-Young-played-his-balls-off.jpg"></figure><h1>Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield claims Bryce Young ‘played his balls off’</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-02T09:08:45-08:00">December 2nd, 9:08am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-02T09:08:45-08:00">December 2nd, 9:08am</time><address><a href="https://medium.com/bingeable">Sonny Giuliano</a>Sonny Giuliano is an experienced sports writer for ClutchPoints who has been covering the NFL, NCAA Football, NBA, and NCAA Basketball for well over a decade. Originally from the small town of Elba, New York, Sonny received his degree from Florida Gulf Coast University and currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Carolina Panthers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>There may be a certain degree of kinship between Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and second-year Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young. After all, Mayfield was the 1st overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, but fell out of favor with the franchise that selected him, the Cleveland Browns, and didn’t last beyond his rookie contract. It looked like Young was heading quickly down that same path, but the last month has proven that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl-rumors-panthers-2025-nfl-draft-qb-plan-into-focus-amid-bryce-young-resurgence">the 2023 1st overall pick still may have some untapped potential. </a></p><p>On Sunday afternoon, this pair of former #1 picks — and Heisman Trophy winners — went head to head in a surprisingly entertaining overtime thriller, with the Buccaneers eventually prevailing 26-23 to keep pace with the Atlanta Falcons atop the NFC South division. But after the game, Mayfield’s most telling sound-byte wasn’t related to his own team. It was <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5962069/2024/12/01/panthers-loss-adam-thielen-catch-overtime-bucs/?source=emp_shared_article" rel="noopener">about the 23-year-old quarterback</a> on the opposite sideline who played his best game of the season against the superior Bucs.</p><p>“I thought Bryce played his balls off,” Mayfield said after the game, per Joseph Person of The Athletic. “Speaking from experience of the ups and downs of the league, see it through, come out on the other side and it makes you stronger in the end. So I’m proud of him. And obviously, knowing who he’s working with now is a big part of that with the positivity and confidence aspect of it. So he’ll be all right.”</p><p>Who Young is working with is <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/panthers-news-close-hiring-buccaneers-oc-dave-canales-next-head-coach">Panthers head coach Dave Canales, who spent last season as Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator</a> working with Baker Mayfield. Mayfield, in his first season with the Bucs last year, had the best campaign of his young career under Canales, but is on pace to one-up that performance this year.</p><h2><b>Banged-up Baker Mayfield brushes off injury, leads Buccaneers comeback</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Baker-Mayfield-injured-on-the-field.jpg?w=1024"><figcaption>© Bob Donnan-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>After going down with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-thought-he-popped-achilles-panthers">what he thought in the moment was an achilles tear</a>, it looked like Baker Mayfield — and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ — 2024 season was going down in flames in Carolina on Sunday afternoon. But Mayfield was able to return to the field and lead the Bucs to a 13-point 4th quarter comeback to send the game to overtime, where eventually, Mayfield led Tampa Bay on a five-play, 59-yard drive that ended with a game-winning field goal.</p><p>Following a disappointing four-game losing streak that extended from Week 7 to Week 10, the Buccaneers bounced back during a Week 11 bye and have won two games. Now, Tampa Bay is 6-6 and tied with the Atlanta Falcons atop the NFC South. Atlanta does have two wins over Tampa Bay already this season, so the Bucs will need to finish a full game ahead of the Falcons in the standings in order to clinch a fourth straight division title.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield claims Bryce Young ‘played his balls off’

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfields-4-word-plea-flag-planting-controversy');   ga('set', 'title', 'Baker Mayfield’s 4-word plea after flag-planting controversy across college football');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Buccaneers-news-Baker-Mayfields-4-word-plea-after-flag-planting-controversy-across-college-football.jpg"></figure><h1>Baker Mayfield’s 4-word plea after flag-planting controversy across college football</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-02T08:29:40-08:00">December 2nd, 8:29am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-02T08:30:08-08:00">December 2nd, 8:30am</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NCAA Football</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The animosity that is always present during college football’s rivalry week <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/ohio-state-football-news-university-police-officer-suffers-injury-michigan-altercation">escalated to dangerous levels</a> on Saturday, as multiple postgame brawls broke out on the field. There was one common theme that ignited these unfortunate altercations– flag planting. Debates about sportsmanship are now sweeping the nation, with many calling for the end of the celebratory practice. Baker Mayfield staunchly disagrees with that viewpoint.</p><p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback famously engaged in flag planting himself after his Oklahoma Sooners defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus back in 2017, so it is no surprise that he sees little problem with the ritual. Mayfield <a href="https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/baker-mayfield-doesnt-think-ncaa-should-ban-flag-planting-says-let-the-boys-play" rel="noopener">believes the real issue</a> is players’ reaction to the flag planting, which some perceive to be both excessive and bitter.</p><p>“I’ll say this: OU-Texas does it every time they play,” he said, via Fox Sports. “It’s not anything special. You take your ‘L’ and you move on. I’ll leave it at that.”</p><h2><b>Tensions reached a boiling point in Saturday’s rivalry games</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Ohio-State-Michigan-Brawl.jpg"><figcaption>Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The 2023 Pro Bowl selection’s simplification of postgame rivalry antics neglects the innate pride that players feel when it comes to protecting the dignity of their home turf. Yes, the obvious way to prevent needless boasting is by winning the game, but when the clock strikes zero, emotionally-charged athletes are not typically keen on letting their sworn nemesis land another blow.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/michigan-football-news-davis-warren-puts-ohio-state-on-blast-after-postgame-fight">Michigan football sought to celebrate</a> its huge road victory versus No. 2 Ohio State by leaving its mark on its foe’s field, but the Buckeyes responded with steadfast resistance. Bedlam ensued, punches were thrown, police sprung into action and pepper spray was used during this ugly conflict. The two schools are being fined $100,000 thousand each for creating the wild scene.</p><p>Skirmishes also occurred in the aftermath of Florida-Florida State and North Carolina-NC State, both of which were triggered by the act of flag planting. Is it time for the NCAA to step in?</p><h2><b>Baker Mayfield wants rivalries to be preserved</b></h2><p>Promoting passion while simultaneously curtailing violence in football can be trickier than one wants to admit. Self-respect, school spirit, adrenaline and testosterone could combine to form a volatile environment. The emotion that hovers above stadiums when two enemy programs clash, along with the pageantry and various customs that accompany the annual battle, is what enables the college game to uniquely and effectively stand out.</p><p>Baker Mayfield, who achieved <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/baker-mayfield-joins-tom-brady-in-buccaneers-franchise-history-with-latest-feat">some notable franchise history</a> en route to the Buccaneers’ 26-23 overtime win versus the Carolina Panthers on Sunday night, cares deeply about keeping tradition intact. He does not want to see any sort of ban placed on flag planting.</p><p>“College football’s meant to have rivalries,” the former Heisman Trophy winner said, per Fox Sports, after <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-thought-he-popped-achilles-panthers">fighting through injury</a> to throw for 235 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. “It’s like the Big 12 banning the ‘Horns down’ signal… Let the boys play.”</p><p>Many fans share Mayfield’s stance about flag planting, but they also just saw enough evidence to know that “taking an L” is easier said than done.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2024 SEASON STATS
PASSING YDS	PASSING TDS	INTERCEPTIONS	POSITION RANK
6691.4	58	25.6	5

2024 SEASON STATS
PASSING YDS	PASSING TDS	INTERCEPTIONS	POSITION RANK
6691.4	58	25.6	5

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