Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield sends warning to rest of NFL

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield sent somewhat of a message to the rest of the NFL after he guided the club to an impressive 34-20 win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday that improved the Bucs to 7-7. 

"We’re improving at the right time," Mayfield told Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. "All we have to do is get into the playoffs. After that, anything can happen. I think our guys are realizing that." 

Mayfield completed 22-of-28 pass attempts for 381 yards and four touchdowns en route to becoming the first opposing signal-caller to post a perfect 158.3 passer rating at Lambeau Field. In total, he's thrown seven touchdown passes with just one interception amid Tampa Bay's three-game winning streak that currently has the club sitting above the 7-7 New Orleans Saints in the battle for first place in the NFC South standings due to tiebreaker advantage. 

"We’re really improving on offense, and we’re making the plays that we need to," Mayfield added during his chat with Breer. "That’s what you really look for. Finding a way to win these late-season games is really all it comes down to." 

Mayfield previously failed to earn a long-term job with the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams, and he's left no doubt he wants to remain with the Buccaneers beyond the ongoing campaign after he signed a one-year "prove it" contract this past offseason. 

According to ESPN stats, the 28-year-old began Monday ranked 17th in the NFL among qualified players with a 54.8 adjusted QBR, ninth with a 94.7 passer rating and tied for eighth with 24 passing touchdowns on the season. 

Meanwhile, the ESPN Football Power Index gave the Buccaneers a 71.5% chance to make the playoffs as of Monday afternoon. At that same time, oddschecker listed Tampa Bay as a one-point underdog for this coming Sunday's home game versus the 8-6 Jacksonville Jaguars.