Mayfield Shocked as Buccaneers Fall to 0-2 After Loss to Browns

A Shocking Start

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is feeling the sting of a rough start to the season. Following a 23-19 home loss to his former team, the Cleveland Browns, the Buccaneers are now 0-2. This marks the first time Tampa Bay has started a season with two losses since 2014, and the first time since Mayfield joined the team.

"Pretty shocked. But it's where we're at. So we've gotta fight our way out," Mayfield said after the game. The loss was especially frustrating for the quarterback, who has now gone 0-2 against the team that drafted him first overall in 2018 and traded him away in 2022.

Weathering the Storm

The game featured a dramatic two-hour and 12-minute lightning delay right at the two-minute mark of the fourth quarter. Before the delay, the Browns took a 23-19 lead when Deshaun Watson threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Blake Whiteheart.

When play finally resumed, the Buccaneers had a chance to win. Running back Bucky Irving ran for six yards on third down to get Tampa Bay to the Cleveland 13-yard line. However, a holding penalty on center Graham Barton pushed the offense back.

On the next play, Mayfield threw a deep pass to rookie receiver Ted Hurst III, who dropped the ball in the end zone. Hurst later noted that the wet field from the heavy rain was not an excuse, saying he simply had to make that play. The drive ended when Mayfield overthrew Emeka Egbuka on fourth-and-11.

Mistakes and Missteps

The Buccaneers struggled with consistency throughout the game. Mayfield completed just six of his 17 passes thrown 10 or more yards in the air, and went three-of-eight on third downs. He also threw a first-quarter interception, marking his fourth turnover of the season.

This slow start comes just 12 days after Mayfield signed a three-year contract worth $165 million. Fans at the stadium made their frustration clear, booing the offense when drives stalled.

Left tackle Tristan Wirfs expressed the team's disappointment, saying the result was "not a fun feeling" and calling it frustrating. Head coach Todd Bowles made it clear that everyone shares the blame, pointing to too many offensive penalties and missed tackles in the second half. Bowles warned that the team must fix its issues quickly.