Viewers Say This Buccaneers Player 'Lost' Them the Game Against the Commanders – Details

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' post-season came to a shocking end after a pivotal error shifted the tide in their wild-card showdown with the Washington Commanders. As emotions ran high, one player found himself at the center of the blame game.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans were left heartbroken after their team fell short in the NFC wild-card round against the Washington Commanders. The game, held at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on January 12, 2025, ended with a nail-biting score of 23-20, abruptly ending the Buccaneers' playoff hopes.

While the loss stung for the Buccaneers, social media users have directed much of the blame toward quarterback Baker Mayfield, who made a critical fourth-quarter fumble that set up the Commanders for a go-ahead touchdown. The play, which shifted the game's momentum, contributed to Tampa Bay's early playoff exit.

Mayfield's performance in the playoff game drew heavy scrutiny after his crucial error in the final quarter. The Buccaneers were leading 20-17 when Mayfield mishandled a handoff, resulting in a fumble that was recovered by the Commanders.

The turnover gave the visiting team a chance to take the lead, which they capitalized on by scoring a field goal later in the quarter to secure the win. Following the game, Mayfield was seen leaving the field dejected, knowing his mistake played a pivotal role in the team's defeat.

This loss marked the end of Tampa Bay's playoff run and raised questions about the future of their quarterback position. The frustration from Buccaneers fans was palpable online, where users took to X to share their thoughts on the game and Mayfield's performance.

One user wrote, "Baker and that botched hand off [sic] cost us the game." Another fan harshly criticized Mayfield's previous statements about legendary quarterback Tom Brady, "Baker Mayfield should never speak on Tom Brady again after that horrendous performance in the playoffs. Baker will never be clutch."

Others expressed frustration about the fumble and the missed opportunity for the Buccaneers to advance further. "Baker fumbled the game away," one user wrote.

Another comment read, "Baker you could have made yourself one of the 7 elite quarterbacks in the NFL but after your botched handoff and delayed snap count you cost the team the game. And now your status is sub/par as a decent quarterback. SHAMEFUL!!!" Another frustrated fan simply wrote, "[Get] rid of Baker…"

Some fans suggested it might be time for the Buccaneers to make a change at quarterback. One user shared, "As a honest Bucs fan it's time we move on from Baker. He's good enough to get us to the playoffs but not good enough to take us to the Super Bowl. We should trade him to the Browns for draft comp [sic]."

Others pointed out that the Buccaneers abandoned their usual passing strategy in the most important game of the season, which might have also contributed to their loss. "In the biggest game of the season, Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers abandoned what was their greatest strength, and that is throwing the ball, threw the ball for a season low 18 times in a win or go home game, feel bad for Buc fans [sic]," a fan noted.

The disappointment wasn't confined to X. Buccaneers fans on Instagram shared similar sentiments, with many pointing to Mayfield's fourth-quarter fumble as the game's turning point. One fan wrote, "Baker lost us this game with that fumble."

Another commented, "Baker killed us with that fumble. He's a tough player but we'll never get to a superbowl [sic] with him as our QB." A third user expressed mixed feelings about the quarterback, "Baker man love that dude but today he wasn't it [sic]."

While most comments criticized Mayfield's performance, a few fans came to his defense, praising his efforts throughout the season. One user penned, "Baker deserved much more than that. Played with heart as always [sic]." Another fan was optimistic about the Buccaneers' future, "Good game bucs, your future is bright with baker [sic]."

Mayfield's 2024 season was one of significant improvement. The 29-year-old quarterback put up impressive numbers, finishing the regular season with 41 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, 4,500 passing yards, and a rating of 106.76.

Those stats showcased his potential as a leader for the Buccaneers, a team still adjusting to life after Brady's retirement. Unfortunately, his fumble against the Commanders became a glaring example of this issue.

During the NFC Wild Card game, Mayfield and the Buccaneers found themselves in a tight contest. After a critical fourth-and-goal stop by Tampa Bay's defense, the Buccaneers had momentum on their side.

However, on the following offensive possession, Mayfield mishandled a handoff to rookie running back Jalen McMillan, resulting in a fumble that Washington recovered. The Commanders capitalized on the mistake, scoring a go-ahead touchdown that put them in control of the game.

NFL analysts described the fumble as the defining moment of the match. According to a league report, Mayfield, who was seen tapping his chest on the sideline as a gesture of taking responsibility, watched helplessly as the Commanders drained the final minutes off the clock.

A botched snap by center Graham Barton on the Bucs' subsequent drive didn't help either, resulting in a broken play and dashed hopes of a comeback.

Despite Mayfield's efforts to rally his team with a late-game drive that led to a tying field goal, it wasn't enough. Washington kicker Gonzalez eventually sealed the game with a field goal, ending Tampa Bay's season.

Speaking to the media after the game, Mayfield was upfront about his mistakes. "It comes back to me," he admitted when asked about the fumble. "Just timing it out correctly. First one all year that happened on. Obviously timing on it not great. Being back up [sic]."

Mayfield praised his defense for their effort in stopping Washington multiple times but acknowledged that the offensive errors, including his own, hurt the team. "Defense did just a hell of a job just getting us the ball. Another fourth-down stop and unfortunate, but that [fumble] falls on me."

Mayfield also reflected on the Buccaneers' failure to capitalize on early opportunities. "We didn't convert some of those third-downs early on," he said. "Obviously, the penalties didn't help us out, getting into long-yard situations. It felt like we were able to move the ball but we weren't capitalizing."

Despite his disappointment, Mayfield remained optimistic about the team's future, praising the young players who stepped up throughout the season. He expressed belief in their potential, "The sad part about it is, this group had the makeup to go all the way, and unfortunately, we didn't bring our best stuff tonight and Washington did."

When asked if he was being too hard on himself, Mayfield replied honestly, "Probably not. Just some dumb stuff today that cost the team, so it's going to wear on me for a while."

As the Buccaneers reflect on their playoff loss, questions linger about Mayfield's future with the team. While his regular-season performance showed he can lead an offense, his inability to deliver in clutch moments remains a concern for fans and analysts alike.

Mayfield, who has now been in the league for seven years, remains a polarizing figure. He has the talent and experience to lead a team to success, but moments like Sunday's fumble overshadow his accomplishments. His resilience and leadership are undeniable, but in a league where playoff success is paramount, questions about his reliability will persist.

For now, Mayfield's focus will be on improving his game and learning from his mistakes. As he said himself after the game, "It's never just about one person… Unfortunately, I made a few mistakes that hurt the team today."

The Buccaneers' season may be over, but for Baker Mayfield, the work continues. His ability to bounce back from this setback will define his future in Tampa Bay and potentially reshape his career narrative in the NFL.

Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see if he can overcome this adversity and prove himself as a clutch performer when it matters most.