Bucs QB Baker Mayfield Speaks Out on Critical Interception After Saints Loss

In a stunning upset that has Buccaneers fans reeling, Tampa Bay fell 20-24 to the last-place New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, dropping their record to 7-6 and tying them atop the NFC South with the Carolina Panthers. The loss, Tampa's third in four games, was sealed by a critical fourth-quarter interception from quarterback Baker Mayfield, who otherwise threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns. With the Bucs leading 20-7 early in the third, the momentum shifted dramatically as rookie Saints QB Tyler Shough orchestrated a 17-point unanswered run. Mayfield's pick, intended for Mike Evans but snatched by Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu, set up the game-winning touchdown drive. “That was the turning point,” an ESPN analyst noted post-game. “One throw changed everything.”

Mayfield didn't shy away from the microphone in the locker room, owning the mistake that cost his team dearly. Speaking to reporters, he dissected the play with raw honesty, admitting the decision-making error in trying to force a pass under pressure. “I put that one on me,” Mayfield said, his voice steady but laced with frustration. “Can’t throw that pick in that situation. We had control of the game and let it slip. Too many mistakes in the second half, and that starts with me.” The interception was his 12th of the season, highlighting a recurring issue for a quarterback who leads the NFL with 41 touchdown passes but has struggled in clutch moments against sub-.500 teams.

The ripple effects of Mayfield's turnover were immediate and devastating. The Bucs' defense, already ranked 25th in points allowed, couldn't contain Shough's mobility or the Saints' opportunistic plays, allowing 215 passing yards and a rushing score from the rookie. Tampa's rushing attack managed just 61 yards, putting extra burden on Mayfield's arm. Head coach Todd Bowles, in his post-game presser, defended his QB but acknowledged the collective failure. “Baker’s been our MVP this year,” Bowles stated. “But we all have to execute better in those spots. One play doesn’t define a season, but it can define a game.”

Teammates rallied around Mayfield, but the undercurrent of disappointment was palpable. Wide receiver Mike Evans, who hauled in a touchdown and crossed 1,000 yards for the 11th straight season, emphasized team accountability. “This one hurts bad,” Evans admitted. “A 2-10 team came in and punked us at home. No excuses—we’ve got to look in the mirror.” Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. echoed the sentiment on social media, posting, “No way we should lose that. On to the next, but this stings.” The loss exposed deeper issues, from special teams blunders to a lack of depth on the offensive line, where guard Ben Bredeson exited early with a knee injury.

Looking ahead, the Bucs face a brutal stretch: Atlanta in Week 15, followed by two pivotal matchups against Carolina that could decide the division. Mayfield, at 30, remains the fiery leader Tampa needs, but this defeat amplifies calls for changes if they miss the playoffs. “We’re still in control of our destiny,” Mayfield insisted. “But we can’t afford more self-inflicted wounds.” For a franchise chasing its third straight division title, Sunday’s collapse wasn’t just a loss—it was a wake-up call that the margin for error is gone.