By Adeniyi Precious 
Baker Mayfield’s standout season came to a heartbreaking end as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were knocked out of the NFL Playoffs in the Wild Card Round by the Washington Commanders, losing 23-20. The game ended with a tense 37-yard field goal that barely made it through as time expired.
The Bucs got off to a solid start with a field goal, but Washington quickly answered with 10 unanswered points. Before halftime, Mayfield threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Mike Evans, tying things up. After the break, both teams exchanged leads, with Mayfield putting the Bucs ahead briefly after a 4-yard TD to running back Bucky Irving. But in the end, it was a field goal that clanged off the upright but still found its way through for Washington to win.
Mayfield’s only real mistake came early in the fourth when he fumbled a handoff, giving Washington a touchdown and a 20-17 lead. Despite this, Mayfield played well, throwing for 185 yards and 2 touchdowns, completing 15 of 18 passes, and rushing for 23 yards.
This season was a major comeback for Mayfield, who not only led the Bucs to the playoffs for the second straight year but also had his best statistical season ever, with 4,500 passing yards, 41 TDs, and a 71.4% completion rate. He became one of only four quarterbacks in NFL history to pass for over 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns while completing 70% of passes.
Although he didn’t make the Pro Bowl, Bucs coach Todd Bowles praised Mayfield, saying, “We wouldn’t even be here without Baker Mayfield.”