Baker Mayfield opens up about "fear of failure" after Buccaneers' 28-23 loss to Drake Maye's Patriots

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New England Patriots v Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Source: Getty
New England Patriots v Tampa Bay Buccaneers (image credit: getty)

Baker Mayfield's Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered their second loss in three games, falling to Drake Maye's New England Patriots on Sunday. Mayfield threw three touchdowns, but it all went in vain as Mike Vrabel's team ran away with a 28-23 win at Raymond James Stadium.

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Mayfield didn't mince words about what went wrong and what needs to change moving forward.

"You know, that's what I told the team, told the offense after the game," Mayfield told reporters during the postgame presser. "And at some point, when the stuff comes up during the week and whether it's mistakes or things we talk about, and then it shows up on Sundays, you have to have some pride about you."
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Mayfield called on Bucs players to take accountability and develop a fear of failure when it comes to letting their teammates down in critical moments. The quarterback shouldered the blame for his performance.

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"In tight ball games like this, when you play a good team like the Patriots, little things will get you beat," Mayfield said. "And that was the case for us on offense today. Case in point, I mean, it starts with me. Some throws there that we like to have back, some more completions.
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"The low ball that I gave (Bucs tight end) Cade (Otton) towards the end there, if I would have stuck it on his chest, he probably would have gotten the first down instead of having to get into a short yardage situation. So starts with me, but everybody's got to have pride about it too."
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He completed 28 of 43 passes for 273 yards, three touchdowns and zero turnovers. However, Tampa Bay failed to capitalize on opportunities, and its defensive breakdowns on explosive plays doomed its chances.

Buccaneers' defense spoils Baker Mayfield's season best performance

Baker Mayfield and Co. never led after the opening drive. They went 5 of 13 on third downs and allowed 435 total yards despite winning the time of possession battle. The Patriots scored three touchdowns of 50-plus yards, exposing defensive errors that Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles called "inexcusable."

Tampa Bay (6-3) is still atop the NFC South but is facing a tough upcoming schedule. The team will travel to Buffalo next week to face Josh Allen and the Bills (6-3). The Bucs will then head to Los Angeles on Nov. 23 to take on the Rams (7-2).

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Edited by Victor Ramon Galvez
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