Buccaneers

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield talked about RB Kenneth Gainwell and RB Bucky Irving, saying he trusts both in the running game.

“I think both those guys, him and Kenny, were extremely patient today,” Mayfield said, via Bucs Wire. “Seeing and trusting their tracks, being where they’re supposed to be at, but then if it’s not there, being patient and not trying to cut it back every single time. Trusting these guys to continue to move the line of scrimmage and move those guys up front. So they did an incredible job today. They’re continuing to see the fruits of the labor.“

Falcons

Falcons players S Jessie Bates, RB Bijan Robinson, and QB Michael Penix commented on the weather in their loss to Tampa Bay but weren’t willing to blame those conditions.

“We knew what type of game it was going to be. It’s probably the craziest game I have ever been a part of in the first half,” Bates said, via AtlantaFalcons.com. “But hey, anywhere, any place, any time, any type of weather, you have to be ready to play.” Bates also reflected on the team’s inability to mount a comeback: “It was a 9-0 game, up until the third quarter, so I never thought we were going to be out of it. Even with maybe four minutes left, I think we had a big play with Jahan. [It’s] still a two-possession game with the playmakers we have in this locker room. I really thought we were going to at least put some points on the board and give it a run towards the end. We didn’t. It’s a divisional game; it really hurts to come out like that.”

“We do pride ourselves on running the football, and they did a good job on their side, but now it is on us to go back to the drawing board,” Robinson noted. “Our identity, it takes all 11 of us to run the ball successfully. It puts pain on the defense, and it helps your whole team, so it’s our job to figure out how we can get back on track with it.” Robinson also addressed the team’s mistakes: “I think it was our own mistakes. The mistakes that we created. We can’t turn the ball over. We have to continue to limit mistakes. … They’re a really good defense, but it shouldn’t matter who runs up across from us, we have to get the job done.”

“The conditions are what the conditions are,” Penix added. “Both teams had to play in it. So, for us, knowing that the conditions are like that, as a quarterback [and] the leader, I’ve got to protect the ball. That’s the only way we’re going to be able to win these games, and I did a poor job of that today. I [have] never thrown four picks in a game. I am going to shake back. I promise you, I will.”

Panthers

Panthers QB Bryce Young said he was feeling fine after dealing with a knee issue against the Packers.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Young said, via ESPN. “Everyone’s dealing with something at this point in the year. It’s football. Nothing like that is an excuse; go out there and play the game. I’m blessed to be able to do that. That’s all that matters.”

“We’ve just got to finish better,” Young continued. “That’s what we hang our hat on. That’s our calling card, and we didn’t get that done today. That’s not acceptable. We fought. It was very ugly, and the defense stepped up and gave us a shot. Special teams in the same way. Again, we have to finish; that’s all it’s about.”

“I would say that he certainly doesn’t look like he’s got that quick, make-you-miss-type of deal, but he was able to create some space for himself,” HC Dave Canales added. “But the rush got after us, and that’s the bottom line. We’ve got to take care of that first part of it, so we have an element of time to be able to execute the play.”