Bucs' Baker Mayfield Shares Emotion On Heart Rate in Falcons Rivalry

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Jan 2, 2025 11:35 AM ET

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were one of the most interested onlookers of the Washington Commanders' clash against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17.

With the Buccaneers taking care of the Carolina Panthers to put the pressure back on Atlanta to win the game to keep first place in the division, Tampa Bay was hoping for a Falcons loss to re-take the division lead - and they got it.

But it didn't happen until overtime, with the game in the balance for most of the contest. However, Tampa Bay got the right result, and quarterback Baker Mayfield has spoken of how he fared watching the game on Sunday night.

“A lot of ups and downs watching from a fan's perspective, not always the easiest one on your heart rate,” Mayfield said, sharing the emotion of the moment. “But obviously results were good for us but still goes back to if we don't take care of business nothing else matters, so that's the mentality we have now.”

The Falcons' loss was good for the Buccaneers as Todd Bowles' team is now back in first place in the NFC South and is in a playoff spot.

But the hard work isn't done. Tampa Bay must now handle business against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium to secure its playoff berth.

The Buccaneers' playoff destiny is in their own hands, and while the Falcons' loss was good, it won't mean much if Tampa Bay loses to the Saints and Atlanta beats the Panthers.

So the team knows what's at stake, and there will be no scoreboard watching in Week 18 for Mayfield and Co. they control their destiny. Win, and they're in the playoffs.

It's really as simple as that.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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