Things couldn't have gone much worse for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offense on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.

The Bucs dropped their third straight game to start the season, but the team falling to 0-3 wasn't even the worst thing to come out of the defeat.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield, who spent the majority of the game running for his life, suffered a dislocated right thumb with less than two minutes to go.

With 1:54 left in the game, the Bucs made the curious call to go for it on fourth-and-13 from their own 39-yard-line. Tampa still had all three timeouts, and the defense had held Minnesota's offense in check for most of the game. It was surprising to see the Bucs go for it instead of punting it away and trusting their defense to get a quick three-and-out.

To add injury to insult, the Bucs' offensive line failed to hold up and give Mayfield any time to make a play. Mayfield, as he was forced to do all game, had to evade several Vikings defenders as he spun around and retreated from the relentless pressure. Finally, he had a split second to let go of a prayer, which was intercepted by Andrew Van Ginkel.

Mayfield was hit by linebacker Blake Cashman as he threw it and remained on the ground well after the play was over, screaming in agony.

After the game, Bucs' head coach Todd Bowles told reporters that Mayfield had dislocated his thumb. Bowles said Mayfield received an X-ray that thankfully showed no fracture, but also said the quarterback will get an MRI on Monday.

Tampa's offensive line was unable to handle Minnesota's aggressive front throughout the game. Mayfield was sacked six times on Sunday and hit on several more occasions, either right after he got off a throw or while scrambling after the pocket collapsed.

The Bucs' line being able to keep Mayfield upright and give him time to throw was the first of my five keys to a Tampa victory.

Needless to say, the offensive line failed miserably. Its performance was probably the main factor in the team being unable to get a desperately needed win.

To make matters even worse for the Bucs (if that is somehow possible), now their franchise quarterback is injured.

Watching and hearing Mayfield scream in pain as he lay on the field was a perfect summary of the Bucs' season so far. Tampa's offense couldn't get much going against the tough Vikings defense. Aside from a busted coverage touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Ted Hurst, the Bucs offense could only generate three field goals. The run game was a non-factor, and Mayfield only completed 50% of his passes.

Hopefully, the MRI shows no additional damage to Mayfield's thumb, and he can return to the field very quickly. At 0-3, Tampa's chances of a successful season are already slim to none, but Mayfield being forced to miss any time could be the final nail in the coffin.