Tampa, Florida Baker Mayfield is learning how a change of environment can significantly impact a quarterback’s career, just like Jared Goff did.
The Detroit Lions want to have their greatest start in more than ten years thanks in part to Goff’s outstanding performance.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are off to a bright start as well thanks to Mayfield’s better play on his fourth team in less than two years.
The first-place teams square off on Sunday, with the Buccaneers (3-1) attempting to start a season with four straight victories for just the sixth time in franchise history against the Lions (4-1) who are aiming for their fourth straight victory.
The Los Angeles Rams selected Goff with the first overall choice in the 2016 NFL Draft. He is in his third season with the Lions, who are aiming for their first 5-1 start since 2011 and have won six of their previous seven road games dating back to last fall.
With a team-record streak of 14 straight games with 20 or more points, the Lions are one of the league’s best scoring teams, averaging 29.6 through Week 5.
Todd Bowles, the coach of the Buccaneers, praised Goff’s development over the course of the quarterback’s career, calling him “the engine that makes it go over there” for not turning the ball over, completing touchdown passes, and controlling the offense. He was consistently quite accurate. He is an opponent. He is doing a fantastic job for them.
Sounds a lot like how the Bucs have been praising Mayfield ever since the 2018 first-round pick made Tampa Bay his new home, the most recent stop on a trip that has also seen stops in Cleveland, Carolina, and the Rams.
With help from a defense that has resumed playing stingily and Bowles’ dedication to a stronger rushing approach, Mayfield has reduced costly errors and proven incredibly effective in leading the offense.
I believe what they are asking him to do and the plan work very well for him. They are genuinely committing to the run. Dan Campbell, the coach of the Lions, said, “There’s a lot of boots that are involved, play-action throw, and when you’re playing strong defense, too, man it’s right in his wheelhouse. He is extremely competitive, as he always has been, and he finds ways to make plays even when the opportunity is not present.
Since losing to Seattle in extra time last month, Detroit has won three straight games. Goff has the most 20+ yard completions in the NFL with 23.
“Jared is a stud, coming from someone who needed a new beginning as well. He’s playing pretty well, in my opinion,” Mayfield said.
“I believe you can tell his leadership and all of the factors that went into his selection at such a high level. Now, he’s really demonstrating it,” the Bucs quarterback continued. “Not all fits are ideal. For him, I believe that his self-assurance grew with time, and he has all the necessary tools: he is a tall man with a good arm and is extremely intelligent. I adore his sport. He is a decent man as well.
For the first time since 2012, the Buccaneers will sport throwback creamsicle jerseys. From 1976 until 1996, they wore Florida orange jerseys and white pants before switching to the team’s primary colors of red and pewter. From 2009 to 2012, the team wore creamsicle throwbacks once per season.
Despite losing key players every week, Detroit has won four of its first five games because to depth built by general manager Brad Holmes through the draft, free agency, and trades.
The Lions were able to rely on Josh Reynolds last week when star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown missed practice due to an abdominal issue. He caught four passes for 76 yards and a touchdown as Carolina was defeated 42–24.
The 28-year-old Reynolds acknowledged that for much of his career, he has been a “back-burner guy” and expressed gratitude for the additional opportunities to showcase his abilities. Reynolds ranks fifth in the NFL with 16 receptions for first downs and an average of 18.2 yards per grab.
It’s good to come back because I understand how it must feel to be the guy, he said.
Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator for the Lions, confuses opponents with plays in the air, on the ground, and with trickery.
Goff stated that “99% of our offense is obviously very focused and detailed.” But occasionally, he’ll include something that’s simply for fun and doesn’t necessarily have a clear rhyme or purpose.
In their victory over Carolina the previous week, Detroit scored on a reverse flea-flicker. When center Frank Ragnow shotgun snapped to running back David Montgomery between Goff’s legs, the Lions also gained a first down.
Detroit’s offensive line is focused only on 6-foot-4, 347-pound nose tackle Vita Vea of Tampa Bay.
Ragnow said of the offensive lineman, “He’s just a gigantic human being and is making a lot of offensive linemen look like kids.
