A beat-up Baker Mayfield appreciated the timing of Tampa Bay’s bye week, however he is able to kick it again into excessive gear when the Buccaneers host the New England Patriots on Sunday.
Every week with out hits was good for the physique of Mayfield, who remains to be battling knee and indirect accidents heading into the conflict in opposition to one of many NFL’s largest shock groups.
Tampa Bay gamers got seven consecutive days off by coach Todd Bowles, offering a psychological break in addition to the much-needed bodily reprieve.
“It undoubtedly helps getting relaxation,” Mayfield mentioned Wednesday, when he was a full apply participant. “(I used to be) nonetheless shifting my physique round somewhat bit, not letting your self get too sore, however then additionally simply the non-contact undoubtedly helps.”
Mayfield handed for a season-low 152 yards because the Buccaneers (6-2) recorded a 23-3 win over the host New Orleans Saints previous the bye.
Although his manufacturing dropped the previous two video games, Mayfield has thrown a number of landing passes 5 occasions this yr. He has 1,919 passing yards and 13 touchdowns in opposition to simply two interceptions.
The NFC South leaders ought to obtain a sturdy take a look at from a New England squad that has excelled beneath first-year coach Mike Vrabel.
New England (7-2) holds a half-game lead over the Payments within the AFC East. The Patriots have gained six consecutive video games, together with a formidable 23-20 win at Buffalo on Oct. 5.
Nonetheless, Vrabel is not trying too far forward.
“For us to take a seat right here, assume that something is extensive open and discuss playoffs, we’re specializing in our tenth recreation in a row,” Vrabel mentioned Wednesday. “That is what we’re centered on — how will we get our our bodies again? How will we get mentally ready, bodily ready to go on the highway to a spot that’s laborious to play?
“That is the place our focus is. It is not attempting to foretell the way forward for saying, ‘Properly, it is extensive open.’ We’re simply going to maintain specializing in what’s in entrance of us.”
Second-year quarterback Drake Maye has stood out this season, throwing for two,285 yards and 17 touchdowns in opposition to 4 interceptions.
Maye has been extremely constant, by no means reaching 300 yards and by no means falling beneath 200. He leads the NFL in completion charge at 74.1%.
The one obvious space of enchancment wanted is figuring out when to throw the ball away or scramble. Maye has been sacked 34 occasions, the second-highest determine within the league, together with six occasions in every of the previous two video games.
“I believe you simply attempt to stability getting the soccer to the blokes which might be operating the routes, as a result of they’re higher gamers than I’m with the ball of their arms,” Maye mentioned.
Maye and Mayfield may very well be firing plenty of passes as each defenses are stout in opposition to the run. New England permits a league-low 75.4 speeding yards per recreation, whereas the Buccaneers are seventh at 92.6.
Tampa Bay possible might be with out its finest operating again, Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder), for the fifth straight recreation. He has been missed, because the Bucs are twenty fourth in speeding offense (98.1 yards per recreation).
“We acquired to dam it higher,” Bowles mentioned. “On the identical time, we acquired to grasp that we’re not going to hit our head up in opposition to a brick wall. In the event that they acquired too many individuals up there, we acquired to throw it and loosen it up as properly.”
Tampa Bay receiver Chris Godwin Jr. (fibula) did not apply on Wednesday after lacking the previous three video games. Linebackers Haason Reddick (ankle/knee) and Markees Watts (hand) additionally sat out.
5 gamers missed apply on Wednesday for New England — operating again Rhamondre Stevenson (toe), receiver Kayshon Boutte (hamstring), heart Garrett Bradbury (hip), defensive deal with Joshua Farmer (ankle) and linebacker Christian Elliss (hip).
In the newest assembly, Tampa Bay recorded a 19-17 highway victory in 2021. New England leads the all-time collection 6-3.
–Discipline Degree Media
