TAMPA, Fla. – The Buccaneers can clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Saints Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. The Bucs aren’t trying to make any more out of it than just attention to detail. Bucs QB Baker Mayfield said the offense was on the same page in their win over the Panthers, and they need to do the same this Sunday.
“It goes back to the little things,” Mayfield said. “Guys were detailed, knew their jobs, knew exactly what we were trying to do to attack them. We were dialed in.”
Mayfield was 27-32 passing for 359 yards and five touchdowns in the 48-15 win over the Panthers.
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Mayfield knows it’s all there for them. The Saints (5-11) have lost three in a row and four of their last five games. The Bucs can win their fourth consecutive NFC title with a win Sunday at home. “You always want to have the mentality of protecting your home turf, and I know that hasn’t exactly gone that way this year,” Mayfield said. “You always want to be able to play in front of your crowd. Just the energy, get them involved early.”
This season, getting off to a fast start has been key for the Bucs. Tampa Bay is 9-1 when they score first. The Bucs are 0-6 when they don’t.”
Bucs left tackle Tristan Wirfs said their motto all season has been to jump on their opponents early.
“We just knew we wanted to start fast,” Wirfs said. “That’s been a big thing for us this year. We’ve had some success when we come out and score first.”
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Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans believes they’ve got enough experience on the team to send the message to the younger guys for Sunday.
“Everybody’s professionals, and we’ve got a lot of guys with a lot of experience,” Evans said. “Keep playing hard for one another. I told the guys before the game. The most physical team will win it. We knew we were more talented than them; we just had to play harder and be more physical, and we did that.”
Mayfield was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in the blowout win over Carolina. Tampa Bay has won five of their last six. For Mayfield, the win is the only thing for him that matters.
“I’m able to have those numbers,” Mayfield said. “The guys I have around me, the o-line up front protecting me is a huge reason why,” Mayfield said. “I would like to have a lot more wins and not be in this scenario where we’re playing the last game of the regular season to get in. That truly is what matters to me.”
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