The Tampa Bay Buccaneers managed to exorcise some demons with a win in Detroit in Week Two, avenging their playoff loss to the Lions. However, their success did not carry over to their home turf on Sunday. The Denver Broncos dominated the Bucs from start to finish, walking away with a convincing 27-6 victory, marking Denver’s first win of the season.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield did not mince words after the game, acknowledging the team’s lackluster performance. Mayfield emphasized the importance of treating every opponent with the same level of intensity, whether they are winless or a playoff contender. In a post-game interview with the team’s website, Mayfield stated, “You have to prepare like you’re playing in a playoff game every week, or else this can happen… We got our asses kicked, physicality-wise, execution-wise, all over the board for us.”
The humbling loss served as a wake-up call for the Buccaneers, especially the younger players who may not have experienced such a defeat before. Mayfield viewed the defeat as a learning opportunity, stressing the need for attention to detail and preparation. Despite the disappointment, Mayfield remained optimistic, focusing on the positives and using the defeat as motivation moving forward.
With a matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles looming next weekend, the Bucs have a chance to prove that they have absorbed the lessons from their defeat to the Broncos. Mayfield will be looking to rally his teammates and ensure that they approach the game with the same intensity and focus that they would against a playoff-caliber opponent. Another lackluster performance could undo the progress made during their 2-0 start, making it crucial for the Buccaneers to learn from their mistakes and demonstrate growth in their upcoming game.
