As Joe pointed out earlier, Baker Mayfield has had two clutch late-game performances where he led the Bucs down the field to score touchdowns.
One was Sunday at Atlanta. Another was two weeks ago at Indianapolis (which the defense gagged away). Yesterday, Bucs coach Todd Bowles was asked why the offense, often in a long slumber in games, awakes late.
Bowles thought it was because the offense has learned from previous mistakes.“Again, we learned from the middle of the season,” Bowles said.
“There were some things we had in the middle of the season [that] we didn’t cash in on that we are playing better [at] now. We are executing now because of certain guys being in those situations quite a few times.
“The urgency at the end of the game is always at a high level. I think the confidence in which we can complete them now, offensively, and try to stop them, defensively, is there.
The confidence is there from that aspect in December, [whereas] I don’t think it was as much in the middle of the season. We have a lot of guys playing – a lot of different guys playing – a lot of new guys playing.
“I think this time of the year, it’s time for them to settle down and just play comfortable football, as far as mentally, and I think they are doing that.”
That’s great that the Bucs feel comfortable and wise late in games. But come Sunday in Green Bay, while the Packers are not world beaters, they surely aren’t the Dixie Chicks or the Stinking Panthers.
And given the fact the Packers are now playing for their playoff lives, the Bucs surely are going to get their A-Game from Green Bay.
It might behoove the Bucs to score some touchdowns in the first three quarters. You know, just a hunch.
Bundle up and fire up the brats.
