Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield. By Rock Riley TAMPA, Fla - The Bucs were beaten in all phases of the game Monday Night by the defending NFC
TAMPA, Fla – The Bucs were beaten in all phases of the game Monday Night by the defending NFC Champion Eagles 25-11.
Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield says the Eagles are a good team, but the Bucs didn’t come out sharp and didn’t play their game.
“We just need to start faster,” Mayfield said. “Monday Night game, we should be pumped and ready to go. We’re damn good when we do our job, so we just need to take advantage of it.”
The Eagles were able to move the ball consistently early on but couldn’t convert into touchdowns. The Eagles scored 22 points, and the Bucs were never able to come close to catching up. Eagles QB Jalen Hurts threw for 277 yards and a touchdown but did throw two picks. Mayfield only threw for 146 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles put it bluntly.
“As a team, we didn’t play well,” Bowles said. “It just wasn’t the offense. We’re going to win as a team, and we’re going to lose as a team. Offense didn’t play well, defense didn’t play well, and special teams gave up field position.”
The Bucs offense just couldn’t get in rhythm partly because the Eagles were so good on defense.
“We knew they had a good team going in,” Bowles said. “They had a tough front. They played well. They got us out of a lot of things, kept us behind the sticks, and we couldn’t capitalize.”
Mayfield agreed with Bowles on how good the Eagles defense was but said there were some opportunities that he just couldn’t connect on.
“I got to be better,” Mayfield said. “Taking advantage of just different outlets and things I have early on. They;re a great defensive front.”
The only bright spot for Bucs fans who endured rain on and off during the game was Bucs legendary cornerback Ronde Barber getting his Pro Football Hall of Fame Ring in a brief ceremony at halftime.
Mayfield actually wore a Barber number 20 Bucs jersey to the game and had mentioned how excited he was for Barber on his special night.
Unfortunately for the Bucs that was the only thing special Monday Night in Raymond James Stadium.
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