Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are rolling at 5-1, but the veteran quarterback knows the real test comes Monday night when they face the Detroit Lions. Mayfield, who’s been one of the season’s most surprising success stories, isn’t shying away from the challenge. In fact, he’s embracing it.
Speaking to reporters, Mayfield said he’s eager to see how the Bucs measure up against one of the NFC’s toughest, most physical teams. “We’ve handled business so far,” he said, “but Detroit’s a different kind of fight. This is where we find out who we really are.”
The Lions, sitting near the top of the NFC standings, have been dominant on both sides of the ball — led by Jared Goff’s precision passing and Aidan Hutchinson’s relentless defense. For Mayfield, this matchup isn’t just another regular-season game; it’s a chance to show that Tampa Bay’s hot start is no fluke.
As both teams gear up for a primetime showdown, all eyes will be on whether Mayfield’s leadership and the Bucs’ balanced offense can crack Dan Campbell’s hard-nosed Detroit defense. One thing’s for sure — Baker’s ready for the fight.