Baker Mayfield Must Stop Giving Away Buccaneers Possessions

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have enough offensive firepower to win football games. They proved that during stretches of their Week 1 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Unfortunately, Baker Mayfield repeatedly put that offense in difficult positions.

Mayfield fumbled three times during Tampa Bay’s four-turnover loss. Those mistakes overshadowed a passing performance that otherwise showed what this offense can accomplish.

The Buccaneers cannot afford another performance like that against Cleveland.

Mayfield’s Mistakes Cannot Continue

Locked On Bucs host James Yarcho identified Mayfield’s ability to control his emotions as Tampa Bay’s defining concern.

That concern goes beyond facing his former team.

Mayfield’s biggest problem against Cincinnati was his inability to consistently protect the football. The Buccaneers moved the ball effectively when he avoided those mistakes.

He completed more than 82 percent of his passes while Tampa Bay scored or turned the ball over on every possession without punting.

That is the frustrating part of the Cincinnati loss.

The Buccaneers did not struggle because their offense could not move the football. They struggled because their quarterback repeatedly gave Cincinnati opportunities.

Cleveland Cannot Get Extra Chances

Yarcho believes Mayfield’s competitive edge could become counterproductive if he tries to make a statement against Cleveland.

That cannot happen Sunday.

Mayfield has publicly downplayed the revenge-game angle. Still, Tampa Bay needs him to prove that approach with his play.

There is nothing wrong with playing aggressively. There is something wrong with turning aggression into unnecessary turnovers.

The Buccaneers cannot give Cleveland extra possessions and expect the offense to overcome those mistakes every time.

Locked On Browns host Spencer German also identified Mayfield’s tendency to take on too much as Cleveland’s clearest route to an upset.

That should be all the motivation Tampa Bay needs to keep Mayfield disciplined.

The Buccaneers Have Opportunities

Cleveland’s defense allowed Jacksonville to move the football in the Browns’ opener.

German also pointed to Cleveland’s problems stopping the run and generating consistent pressure.

Those issues could create opportunities for Tampa Bay’s offense.

The Buccaneers should not need Mayfield to play hero ball. They can stay balanced, protect their quarterback, and allow the offense to work through its strengths.

That approach would also reduce the chances of Mayfield trying to force something that is not there.

Cleveland still has talented cornerbacks in Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell. Tampa Bay cannot assume Mayfield will have the same clean opportunities he enjoyed during portions of the Cincinnati game.

But the Buccaneers should expect their quarterback to make better decisions.

Mayfield Needs to Be the Difference

Week 1 demonstrated both the potential and the problem with Tampa Bay’s offense.

When Mayfield protected the football, the Buccaneers moved the ball. When he made mistakes, he gave away the advantages his offense had created.

That is ultimately on the quarterback.

The Browns matchup gives Mayfield an opportunity to correct that immediately.

He does not need to prove anything to Cleveland. He needs to prove he can keep Tampa Bay’s offense from beating itself.

If Mayfield protects the football, the Buccaneers have a chance to make their offensive efficiency count.

After the Cincinnati loss, that should be the expectation.

Tampa Bay needs its quarterback to stop turning productive possessions into missed opportunities.