The Tampa Bay Buccaneers already had a tough task in Week 1, starting the season on the road against a much-improved Cincinnati Bengals team.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield's poor outing made that task go from tough to impossible.

Although the 33-27 final score indicates a close, competitive game and was very close to my prediction of a 30-27 Bucs loss, there wasn't a lot to like about Mayfield's performance.

Mayfield may have completed 23 of 28 passes for 216 yards, while adding another 30 yards and a touchdown on the ground, but that does not tell the story of his afternoon.

Mayfield lost not one, not two, but three fumbles on the day. Two were the result of a Bengals' strip-sack, one of which was returned for a touchdown. The other may have been even more brutal. With the Bucs trying to cap off a potential touchdown drive down 14-3, Mayfield fumbled into the end zone at the end of an impressive scramble inside the Cincinnati five-yard line.

On that same drive, Mayfield also threw an interception that was called back by a pass interference penalty.

The turnovers, which also included a Bucky Irving fumble, dug a hole for Tampa that proved too deep.

Simply put, the Buccaneers can't have success this season if Mayfield plays like he did on Sunday.

All offseason, everything Mayfield-related was put under a microscope as he was mired in a contract dispute with the organization. From concerns about his long-term health to his standing among NFL QBs, and whether the Bucs should commit over $50 million per year to him, the last two months provided enough debate over Mayfield to last a lifetime.

In the end, Tampa and Mayfield agreed to a three-year, $165 million contract extension. Mayfield's new $55 million-per-year salary is only surpassed by Patrick Mahomes and Dak Prescott.

More money means more scrutiny, and Sunday's abysmal 27.1 QBR isn't going to cut it.

Mayfield has always been a gunslinger who is willing to take risks on the field. When he is on, that becomes his greatest strength.

On Sunday, it was his greatest weakness.

While a Week 1 loss doesn't make or break a season, especially a non-conference road game, Mayfield's tendency to fumble is a problem. 

He came into Sunday with 32 fumbles since 2023, most in the league. He padded his lead by three in a category nobody wants to be number one in.

Mayfield is too good, and has too much talent around him, to fumble games away.

You can argue that the Bucs' offensive line, expected to be possibly the NFL's best, didn't do him any favors by allowing four sacks. However, Mayfield must do a better job of protecting the football if Tampa is to return to the playoffs.

With the other three NFC South teams losing on Sunday, Tampa lost an opportunity to jump out to an early lead in the division.

To his credit, Mayfield took ownership of his poor play and the loss in his post-game remarks.

Look for Mayfield and the Bucs to rebound in the quarterback's revenge game next week against the Cleveland Browns, who looked as bad as advertised in their Week 1 dismantling at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars.