Baker Mayfield started Monday night’s game against the Baltimore Ravens with promise, but things quickly took a turn for the worse as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered a 41-31 home loss. The defeat was compounded by injuries to two of Mayfield’s top targets, wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, who both exited the game due to injuries, leaving Mayfield with fewer options on offense.
Despite his resurgence this season in Tampa Bay, where he’s shown flashes of his former self, Mayfield appeared visibly stressed as the game slipped away from the Bucs.
With his team trailing 17-10 at the start of the third quarter, Mayfield was caught on the sidelines engaging in a surprising ritual. ESPN’s cameras zoomed in on the quarterback as he reached for a tin of ZYN nicotine pouches, popped one in his mouth, and settled back in, seemingly trying to calm his nerves.
The moment didn’t go unnoticed by fans and commentators alike, with many taking to social media to discuss the sight of Mayfield turning to nicotine during such a high-stakes game. While it’s not uncommon for athletes to have routines or habits to manage stress, the public nature of Mayfield’s choice added an unusual twist to the night.
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On the field, things continued to spiral for Tampa Bay. Despite their efforts to mount a comeback, the Buccaneers couldn’t overcome the deficit. After falling behind, Mayfield and the Bucs rallied with 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, giving fans a glimmer of hope.
However, it ultimately wasn’t enough to close the gap, and the Ravens walked away with the win.
The loss dropped Tampa Bay to a tough position in the standings, and with Evans and Godwin potentially sidelined, the road ahead could get even more difficult for Mayfield and the Bucs.
While his on-field performance has been up and down, it’s clear Mayfield is feeling the weight of expectations in his new role as Tampa’s starting quarterback.
As the team looks ahead to future matchups, Mayfield will need to find a way to steady the ship, especially with his top offensive weapons dealing with injuries.
Whether his sideline habits continue to garner attention or not, the focus will be on how he handles the pressure moving forward and whether he can lead the Buccaneers back to their winning ways.
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