With a dinged-up knee and some lingering soreness, Baker Mayfield is gearing up for a critical Thursday night showdown. However, the real question marks hover over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they prepare for their Week 8 matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
The Buccaneers are experiencing a rough patch, having lost three of their last four games, with each defeat accompanied by a struggle to score more than 13 points. Mayfield, no stranger to adversity in his NFL journey, remains optimistic about the Buccaneers’ ability to navigate these choppy waters.
Mayfield’s Perspective
Baker Mayfield’s journey in the NFL has been a tumultuous one. The quarterback finds himself starting for his fourth team in just three seasons, which has equipped him with valuable experience in navigating adversity. Despite the recent struggles, Mayfield maintains an optimistic outlook for the Buccaneers. “I think with any of those experiences you learn how to weather some of these storms and you learn how to grow through them and handle them when certain situations come,” Mayfield said on Tuesday. “For right now – like we keep mentioning – just get our stuff fixed, be more detailed, fundamentally sound, and good things will happen.”
Mayfield’s Knee Injury
While the Buccaneers aim to overcome their offensive struggles, Mayfield’s physical condition has been a concern. Mayfield was limited in practice on Tuesday due to a knee injury, following a day when he was listed as not practicing during a walk-through. Mayfield acknowledged the soreness, stating, “Yesterday I was pretty sore. Less than 24 hours after the game, that’s kind of how it always goes. I just kind of re-aggravated what I did against the Saints. Nothing too bad, just pain tolerance and move on.”
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Mayfield’s knee soreness wasn’t considered a major issue, offering some relief to the Buccaneers and their fans who look to him as a beacon of hope for a resurgence. This positive news also resonated within the gambling community, as it potentially impacts betting odds and strategies. Websites like GamblingSites.org have been closely monitoring the situation, recognizing the significance of Mayfield’s health on wagering dynamics and the broader landscape of NFL betting.
Tampa Bay’s Offensive Struggles
While Mayfield’s knee injury is on the mend, the Buccaneers’ offensive issues continue to linger. Tampa Bay currently ranks 23rd in the NFL in offense, struggling to find balance between its passing game (ranked 15th) and its running game (ranked 29th). Additionally, the Buccaneers’ red zone scoring percentage is a dismal 28th in the league, highlighting the urgency to address their offensive struggles.
Cunningham’s Release from the Patriots
In a related NFL development, the New England Patriots made the surprising decision to waive undrafted free-agent quarterback DeShaun Cunningham. This move comes just two weeks after Cunningham was thrust into the backup QB role for the Patriots in a Week 6 game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Although he saw limited action, lining up at QB twice and in various positions on two snaps apiece, it created quite a buzz. However, in Week 7, Cunningham was inactive as the Patriots secured a win against the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots remain ranked 31st in the league in points scored.
This release isn’t unfamiliar territory for Cunningham or the Patriots, as both he and Bailey Zappe, the team’s backup, were waived during the cutdown day back in August, only to be welcomed back shortly thereafter. Cunningham may not remain unemployed for long, as another team could claim him, or he might find himself back with the Patriots once again.
Trey Flowers’ Release
In another notable move, the New England Patriots announced the release of veteran defensive lineman Trey Flowers from the physically unable to perform list. Flowers, a key figure in the Patriots’ defense, had been dealing with health issues that led to his placement on the PUP list. His release signifies a change in the Patriots’ defensive roster and could have implications for the team’s performance in the upcoming games.
