Todd Bowles challenges Buccaneers after Baker Mayfield accepts blame for 'TNF' loss to Falcons

Shortly after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell to 7-7 via a 29-28 home loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night, Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield put the defeat on his shoulders. 

During a Friday morning videoconference, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles spoke with reporters and reacted to Mayfield's comments. 

Todd Bowles praises Baker Mayfield for being a leader

"He's taking responsibility as one of our leaders," Bowles said about Mayfield, per the Buccaneers' website. "Obviously, you don't want the turnover, but he can look himself in the mirror and be honest with himself and, you know, coaches and players have to do that alike. That's what makes him who he is."

Specifically, Mayfield said the costly interception he threw with under 8:30 to play in the fourth quarter of Thursday's game will "haunt" him. He also blamed himself for failing to connect with rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka for what could have been a first down with under 2:30 left in regulation. 

Meanwhile, Bowles went viral when he surprisingly blamed his players for what he called an "inexcusable" performance against a Falcons team that had already been eliminated from postseason contention. Mayfield later said that Bowles "hit the nail on the head" with those comments. 

Todd Bowles challenges Buccaneers to follow in Baker Mayfield's footsteps

"If everybody did that, we would figure out our problems [really] quick," Bowles added about Mayfield accepting responsibility for the loss. "So, I think it's an eye-opener for a lot of guys and a lot of coaches on this team. So, if we can come back Monday and look in the mirror and everybody can work on the little things, I think that'll carry us the rest of the way. What he said was very honest and very true."

Thursday's result gifted the 7-6 Carolina Panthers first place in the NFC South standings. The Buccaneers will be able to watch when the Panthers play at the 3-10 New Orleans Saints this coming Sunday. 

The Buccaneers will then play at Carolina on Dec. 21. Those two teams will meet again at Tampa Bay's Raymond James Stadium in Week 18.