The Tampa Bay Buccaneers reject the notion that a pair of lopsided losses to opponents that share the best record in the NFL are evidence there’s a huge gap between themselves and teams considered to be among the league’s best. The sputtering, but still NFC South-leading Bucs (3-2) have dropped two of three games — each by a pair of touchdowns — since starting 2-0. Tampa Bay has performed like a playoff contender in defeating Minnesota, Chicago and New Orleans, but has only scored one touchdown combined in double-digit losses to the Eagles and Lions, who at 5-1 share the best record in the league with the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins.
Like Jared Goff, Baker Mayfield is discovering how a change of scenery can make a big difference in a quarterback’s career. Goff’s stellar play is one of the reasons the Detroit Lions are aiming for their best start in more than a decade. Mayfield’s improved performance with his fourth team in just over two years has the Tampa Bay Buccaneers off to a promising start, too.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are building a new identity without Tom Brady. Brady’s three-year run as the face of the franchise ended when the seven-time Super Bowl champion retired last winter, leaving the Bucs searching for a quarterback capable of helping them remain competitive. Four games into the season, Baker Mayfield looks like a good choice after he beat out third-year pro Kyle Trask for the starting job in training camp.