November 10, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) in the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Baker Mayfield, beating his top two receivers and his All-Pro left tackle, set the offense within seconds of an upset of the 49ers. His record was modest, completing 18 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown, but those numbers belie Mayfield's impact on the game.
Mayfield orchestrated a wild final drive with the game trailing by three points with three minutes remaining. On 4th-and-7 at the Tampa Bay 37-yard line, Mayfield was nearly sacked by Nick Bosa, but the Bucs quarterback had other ideas:
Baker escaped pressure to move the ball throughout the drive, aided by early penalties from the Niners. He managed to get the offense into the red zone, but they stalled and settled for a field goal.
With the defense in disarray and the entire roster decimated by injuries, Mayfield is one of the key factors in keeping Tampa Bay competitive. While Mayfield is not without his faults, he has made himself an indispensable part of the Bucs' identity.
