Baker Mayfield's Late Interception Seals Buccaneers' Fate

Baker Mayfield's crucial interception in the final moments of the Buccaneers' 23-20 loss to the Carolina Panthers has intensified scrutiny on both his performance and the team's struggles. Mayfield was attempting to lead a late comeback when he threw a game-sealing interception intended for Mike Evans, who miscommunicated and peeled off in the opposite direction, allowing Lathan Ransom to make the catch.

This miscommunication has been attributed to the ongoing issues the Buccaneers have faced throughout the season, with their performance declining significantly since a promising 6-2 start. The loss marks their sixth in seven games, dropping them to 7-8 and out of playoff contention for the moment.

According to Outkick, the Buccaneers can still clinch the NFC South by winning their remaining games against the Miami Dolphins and the Panthers, but the recent performances raise doubts about their ability to do so.

The Pewter Plank highlighted that mistakes from players like Luke Goedeke and coaching decisions by offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard contributed to the defeat, suggesting that the Buccaneers need to address both execution and strategy as they head into the critical final weeks of the season.