Baker Mayfield dissects critical interceptions, revealing the precise moments offensive execution faltered and how they haunt the Bucs' playoff hopes.
Once again, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost, and once again, mistakes made by QB Baker Mayfield made a difference.
Mayfield was one of, if not the biggest, reasons Tampa Bay was a Super Bowl contender for the first half of the season.
Through the first nine games, Mayfield had a TD/INT ratio of 16/2, and the Bucs had a 6-3 record.
In the seven games since, Mayfield has thrown only one more touchdown (nine) than interception (eight), and the Bucs have lost six of seven.
The latest setback came Sunday in Miami, where the Bucs lost 20-17 to the Dolphins, who now have the same 7-9 record.
Mayfield threw two picks-- one of them in the first half, which led to a Bucs score, and another late in the game, with the Bucs trying to rally. He also suffered a strip sack which put an end to another Bucs rally.
He broke down each pick in his postgame press conference.
"The first interception, really just have to give (Jalen McMillan) a ball more toward the sideline," Mayfield said. "He was open. That wasn't a decision-making thing by any means. Just have to give him a better ball. Physical mistakes are going to happen."
Mayfield then discussed his second, and perhaps most costly pick of the afternoon.
"In the second half, that second interception, (Miami safety Ashtyn Davis) did a good job of he's rolling back to the middle of the field, it's cover three, but he went off my eyes and reacted and stopped and went for it.
So, for me, don't just assume that he's going to be where he's supposed to be. Football players make plays, and he made a good play right there and read my eyes."
For Mayfield, everything "comes back to execution" on offense.
"We obviously gave ourselves a fighting chance right there," he said. "But, yeah, didn't do enough, and yeah, those turnovers obviously crushed us, so we have to come back.
Somehow, the Buccaneers are still alive for a Playoff spot.
If the Bucs beat the Carolina Panthers at home Saturday (kickoff scheduled for 4:30), they will win the NFC South at 8-9.
"Here's the thing, we still have a chance next week," Mayfield said. "We've been blessed with a chance next week, and guys need to handle it the right way."
Mayfield also pointed out that veteran linebacker Lavonte David gave a postgame speech that "hit the nail on the head," but declined to go into further detail about what David said.