Baker Mayfield And The Bucs Fight To The End In Playoff Loss To Lions

DETROIT – At the time of the snap, there were 99 seconds left in Sunday's NFC divisional round game against the Lions. The Bucs had one more timeout and trailed by a touchdown and a two-point conversion.

Baker Mayfield had the football in his hands and continued to instill belief in his teammates.

“We had every belief that we were going to drive downfield, score a touchdown and get a two-point conversion to take it into overtime,” receiver Chris Godwin said, even though his team was 85 yards from the end zone . “We had a chance and honestly that’s all you can ask for. Through all the ups and downs, we were right there. It depended.”

However, Mayfield's pass to tight end Cade Otton was intercepted by linebacker Derrick Barnes, sealing the Lions' 31-23 victory and galvanizing Ford Field, sending Detroit to the conference title game next Sunday against the 49ers in Santa Clara, California .

After that, everywhere you looked you saw proud players from an above-average Bucs team whose future is uncertain.

Start with Mayfield, on his fourth team in less than two years and a starting play-caller who rushed for 349 yards and three touchdowns. Although he and the Bucs have expressed interest in a long-term extension, he will become a free agent.

“I love this group. I’ve said that all year and it’s authentic,” Mayfield said. “It would mean a lot to me to bring back a lot of the pieces to put the whole thing back together and get to year two in the system and make a lot of progress. I would love it. Honestly, who knows how it will turn out? We will see. But I can't say enough about this organization and the opportunity it gave me this year. I’m just grateful and hope it works out.”

Mike Evans had his back to his locker. He had just caught eight passes for 147 yards and a touchdown, but doesn't know if his next reception will come in a Tampa Bay jersey, even though it's the only NFL team he knows.

“This franchise has been incredible for me and my family and I love this place,” Evans said quietly. “Well, we’ll see.”

Linebacker Devin White quickly dressed and filled a Styrofoam plate with chicken on the way to the team bus. He played sparingly in the game behind KJ Britt, who had 12 tackles, including one for a loss.

Britt gave the pregame speech at midfield, while there wasn't much to say about White's only tackle of the game.

White will be a free agent and assuming he doesn't play, he will wear a different jersey next season.

Linebacker Lavonte David, who led the team with 13 tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss, will also be a free agent. He then addressed the team in the locker room but gave no hints about his future.

Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield (left) speaks with Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff after the game. [ CARLOS OSORIO | AP ]

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Even coordinator Dave Canales, who grew up as a first-team play-caller and whose offense outscored the Lions 408-391, is a candidate for the Panthers' head coaching job.

Not many gave the Bucs a chance to post a winning record this season, let alone win a third straight NFC South title, upset the reigning NFC champion Eagles and hang on to the finals with the Lions. They had one score and less than 13 minutes left to advance to the Super Bowl.

When asked what he would take away from the Bucs in 2023, head coach Todd Bowles said, “A lot of toughness.”

“It's great that they bought into each other and we mostly brought our own narrative. We didn't listen to the outside noise. We refused to be the worst team in football because we didn't want to be. Still had a chance to get to the championship game.”

It turned out to be one of the most incredibly entertaining Bucs teams in years. They started 3-1, lost six of seven games, improved with six wins in the next seven and found themselves on another roller coaster ride against the Lions.

They trailed 10-3 before Mayfield capped a 92-yard drive with a 2-yard TD pass to Otton just before halftime. They trailed 17-10 before Mayfield caught Rachaad White on a 12-yard TD pass late in the third quarter.

But the defense couldn't contain Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who passed for 287 yards and two touchdowns, and Jahmyr Gibbs gave Detroit the lead with 13:13 left to stay.

Aside from a possible emotional breakup with Evans, there is just as much uncertainty with Mayfield. Bowles said he has earned the right to be the Bucs' quarterback going forward.

“He definitely (deserves) it,” Bowles said. “Of course it is still too early to talk about it. Business is business, but Baker had one hell of a year. We love him. The boys love him. We’ll see what his future holds.”

Although Mayfield succeeded Tom Brady, Bowles said the quarterback was put in a completely different situation with a new coordinator and a new system.

“We can’t compare Baker to Tom,” Bowles said. “Tom is Mount Rushmore. Tom is traveling alone. We started with a new man, a new system and new energy. Baker created his own line. I’m proud of him for that.”

Mayfield hated how the season ended. Belief never left the Bucs sideline this year. It stood there with the shaky head coach, the washed-up quarterback, the future Hall of Fame receiver and the mercurial linebacker.

“It sucks because I know what kind of group we had all year,” Mayfield said. “… We shouldn't be in this game by any means. But we believed in each other and fought for it. Yes, this will bother me for a while.”

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