Baker Mayfield makes Saints U-turn with Bucs’ – Sports News
Baker Mayfield has by no means held back when expressing his emotions concerning the New Orleans Saints, making his postgame confession Saturday evening significantly awkward given their shared historical past.
Following the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 16-14 victory over the Carolina Panthers that ended a four-game skid, the quarterback discovered himself within the uncomfortable place of admitting he needed help from the very group he is repeatedly slammed to keep his season hopes alive.
Tampa Bay’s triumph, highlighted by one Panthers’ participant’s significant gesture with $1 million on the road, pushed the Buccaneers to 8-9 and set up a winner-take-all situation for Sunday’s conflict between the Saints and Atlanta Falcons.
Should New Orleans secure a win or tie, the Bucs would seize their fifth consecutive division championship. Should Atlanta prevail, Carolina, additionally sitting at 8-9, would declare the title through tiebreaker.
This scenario compelled Mayfield to state the plain during his ESPN interview following the sport: “I am [a Saints fan] tomorrow.”
The remark felt significantly unusual contemplating his harsh phrases concerning the group all through the previous yr.
His animosity towards the franchise turned public information in October, when Mayfield brazenly declared that he “hates” the Saints.
Even earlier than the reporter might end the query, Mayfield jumped in with an emphatic “Yep,” then highlighted what he perceives as a constant strategy in how New Orleans handles their defensive strategy towards Tampa Bay. “It hasn’t exactly been ‘clean play’ from their part when we play them,” he stated. “Physical game, it is what it is, you expect it from a division rival. Not much else to say besides the fact I don’t like them.”
Now, circumstances have compelled him to brazenly help that very same adversary, no less than for one afternoon. Tampa Bay completed what was obligatory on the sector Saturday, counting on its protection and the chemistry between Mayfield and tight finish Cade Otton to secure a victory in moist situations.
Otton hauled in seven receptions for 94 yards and an 18-yard landing, together with a essential late 20-yard catch that helped the Bucs eat treasured time.
Mayfield accomplished 12-of-17 passes for 146 yards with one interception and contributed 31 dashing yards, using his scrambling means to maintain drives when the offense faltered.
Nevertheless, Tampa Bay’s season now is dependent upon a contest it can not affect. Within the locker room, gamers acknowledged the peculiar scenario they face.
Veteran linebacker Lavonte David admitted he “never thought” he could be supporting the Saints, whereas head coach Todd Bowles talked about he intends to watch the sport from home.
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