Baker Mayfield has hot hand, throws 4 TDs as Bucs top Packers Baker Mayfield had just thrown his fourth touchdown pass to seal the Bucs' win over the Packers Sunday. As David Moore ran to the end zone with the 52-yard scoring strike, the receiver spread his arms wide and dropped the ball the instant he reached the goal line. Green Bay used review challenge, but instant replay showed Moore had scored, giving Tampa Bay a 34-20 victory. "Oh God," Todd Bowles said. "He was about one millimeter or second away from missing that and getting cussed out." Not only had the Bucs (7-7) won their third straight game to maintain their lead in the NFC South, they did it at storied Lambeau Field. But Mayfield could reference Moore's touchdown as a cautious tale for his teammates: Don't celebrate early. "I'll be honest with you, December games are all important," Mayfield said. "This one was very important. But this one won't matter unless we hit the reset button and go onto next week. It isn't more special than any of the others. It's the most important now, but enjoy it and we'll move onto next week." Off the field, Mayfield often is the life of the party. But he's struck a serious tone with his Bucs teammates the past three games. His play Sunday at Lambeau, where he was 0-2 and the Bucs were 1-14 in the regular season since 1990, was spectacular. Growing up a fan of Brett Favre, Mayfield made the stadium on Lombardi Avenue a personal playground while completing 22 of 28 passes for a season-high 381 yards and four touchdowns to as many different receivers. What's more, he carved out of piece of history to take home from the fabled ballpark by becoming the first visiting quarterback to post a perfect passer rating of 158.3. "He's meant everything from a mental standpoint to a quarterback standpoint making plays," Bowles said. "From a toughness standpoint to a leadership standpoint, he's done everything. He checks all the boxes. He's doing all the right things now, and I can't say enough about him." Mayfield's only mistake was holding onto the ball too long and allowing Kingsley Enagbare to strip him of the football and recover the fumble at the Tampa Bay 4-yard line. It set up a TD pass from Packers quarterback Jordan Love to tight end Tucker Kraft, giving Green Bay an early 7-3 lead. Mayfield responded after that, spreading the football around with precision. Five Bucs had 44 or more receiving yards. Of course, none of them dominated the game as much as receiver Chris Godwin. After going without a reception two weeks ago in a win against Carolina, Godwin led the Bucs with 10 receptions for 155 yards. He didn't get into the end zone, but Mike Evans did on a 19-yard strike to help the Bucs retake the lead, 10-7. Tampa Bay also ran the football for 99 yards, and running back Rachaad White scored his eighth total touchdown of the season on a 26-yard pass from Mayfield to expand the lead to 20-10. "Everybody just doing their job, nothing special," Mayfield said. "It wasn't like we were running brand new plays. It wasn't like we were scheming up or reinventing the wheel. Guys just did their jobs. A couple huge third-and-long conversions. Everybody doing things right, and that's what it come down to. When you play on the road, take care of the ball and go from there." But make no mistake, this was a big step for Mayfield and the Bucs offense. Over the past two games, he had struggled to complete only 48.3% of his passes. But at times Sunday, it felt like offensive coordinator Dave Canales was playing with 12 or 14 players. "It's huge for us," Bowles said of the versatility in the offense. "Not putting all the pressure on two guys (Evans and Godwin) and opening up things for other guys, and they're starting to come through and we're starting to play great team football in December. Bowles called it a "big game" for Godwin. "When Chris and Mike get off at the same time," he said, "we're a very dangerous team." He didn't say it, but nobody was feeling more dangerous than Mayfield. Playing for his fourth team in 17 months, Mayfield is resurrecting his career and has thrown 3,315 yards with 24 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. He also has his team poised to win its third straight NFC South championship. "I love playing football," Mayfield said. "I wouldn't say I'm satisfied by any means. I've still got ball left. Still have the playoffs in mind. Still hungry." Rick Stroud, Tampa Bay Times, published 18 December 2023