Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: USA Today It started at Lambeau Field last week when Baker Mayfield threw for 381 yards and four touchdowns in a 34-20 win and a performance that won him NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. But while that was the highlight reel game, he has been winning all month. It has been a tale of two Mayfield’s over the past four games, as it was his gritty play that helped guide Tampa Bay to wins over the Panthers and Falcons. They were not his best games as he failed to complete 50% of his passes in either contest, but he did enough to lead the team to close victories. “By any means necessary, we are trying to find a way to win,” Mayfield said after Sunday’s game. “Anybody can help us out. We have a lot of guys that we trust, that we count on. And however it plays out, it’s good for us. So, we know that anybody and everybody can step up for us.” Now the Bucs have begun to step up and separate themselves within the NFC South led by the veteran quarterback. On Sunday against the Jaguars, Baker Mayfield was again efficient, completing 26 of 35 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns to Mike Evans. He has looked comfortable in the pocket and the offense as a whole appears to have reached the vision offensive coordinator Dave Canales foresaw before the season. Baker Mayfield Is Starting To Let It Rip As he is starting to show mastery of Dave Canales’ offense and connecting with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin at the same time, Baker Mayfield is having no problem directing the Bucs’ offense like a point guard and putting points up. One thing that sticks out to me when looking at the level of production on offense this season is consistency. 
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today Last year, it was a bumpy road navigating to the playoffs as just about every win was a struggle. This year, Canales is starting to click the right buttons. In seven of the past eight games, the offense has scored 20 points or more and the team is 5-3 during that span. “We’re just more on the same page,” Mayfield said. “I think we’ve improved that much.” It’s hard to argue with that assessment based on everyone’s play on offense starting to improve. A lot of it comes down to trust with his wide receivers. “Absolutely, and that comes with each game rep in this new system as we are learning each other – learning body language in and out of routes and understanding that,” Mayfield added. He isn’t the only one trusting the process. Dave Canales has reiterated that results would not be immediate, but the fruits of his plan have started to blossom. It’s truly starting to look like “It’s a Wonderful Bucs Life.” Process! “seasons, not seconds”! https://t.co/siNY2STw1F — Dave Canales (@DcoachCanales) December 25, 2023 Bucs’ Offense Is Led by Dave Canales And A Fiery “Little Guy” 
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today Left tackle Tristan Wirfs discussed what he thinks of the first-year play-caller after the game. After some early-season struggles, Canales stuck with his guns and it is paying off in a big way in the second half. “I love Coach Canales,” Wirfs said. “I think we kind of showed that – I was saying it for weeks, we’re putting emphasis on the run game, we’re doing our best to get it fixed. “It wasn’t going there for a while, but we stuck with it and we came out the other side kind of rolling. We just got to keep it rolling and do what works. I got complete trust in coach Canales and I love him to death.” It has taken resolve and resiliency to change the story of this team, and while some may have jumped off the Baker Mayfield bandwagon when the Bucs were struggling, Wirfs has been in full support of his quarterback from the beginning. “I bought in from day one,” Wirfs added. “The first time I met him was in the weight room, he just said ‘What’s up?’ to me and I was like, ‘I like this guy.’ I don’t know, he’s just fun to be around, he’s fun to compete with. Fun to play with. Incredible person and an incredible player. I don’t know, I was on the – I jumped on the bandwagon right off the bat so, it didn’t take much for me.” With Baker Mayfield and the rest of the team playing with their backs against the wall, they have responded. Led by a gritty quarterback, that trait is something that has resonated with the rest of the roster. #Bucs WR Chris Godwin says that the team’s recent winning streak is a testament to their grittiness. pic.twitter.com/We5vTZAU8T — PewterReport 
(@PewterReport) December 25, 2023 Wirfs agrees: “Just fight, I think that’s a good identity for us. Of course, with 6 [Baker Mayfield] over there, he’s a little guy, but he’s fiery.” The post Led By An “Outstanding” Baker Mayfield, Bucs Have Life appeared first on Pewter Report. Source: https://www.pewterreport.com/led-outsta ... have-life/
