The Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the San Francisco 49ers in Week 10, and with a three-game losing streak, they’re in desperate need of a win in order to resurrect their chances of making the playoffs.
Last season, the Buccaners won the NFC South, made the playoffs and upset the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card round, and it was mainly due to the play of Baker Mayfield, the quarterback who had been consistently criticized and doubted in his previous five seasons.
Mayfield made the Pro Bowl and seemed to finally become the player people saw in him when he was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns.
Niners middle linebacker Fred Warner recently paid Mayfield some serious respect by praising him in multiple categories.
“I’ve always respected his game, his mindset, the way that his teammates talk about him, the leadership, the competitiveness, man. He’s just a dog, so he’s gonna fight.” Warner said, via G.O.A.T. Farm Sports.
#49ers Fred Warner on Baker Mayfield:
“I’ve always respected his game, his mindset, the way that his teammates talk about him, the leadership, the competitiveness man. He’s just a dog, so he’s gonna fight.” #Rearview pic.twitter.com/w4711vXnxK
— G.O.A.T. Farm Sports (@GOATfarmmedia) November 7, 2024
Mayfield has thrown for 2,389 yards and an NFL-high 23 touchdowns while completing 71.4 percent of his pass attempts through nine games.
However, he has been facing a serious challenge with wide receiver Chris Godwin out for the season with an ankle injury and wideout Mike Evans dealing with a hamstring injury.
As for the 49ers, they could welcome back star running back Christian McCaffrey, as well as wide receiver Jauan Jennings.
Tampa Bay is 4-5 and two games behind the Atlanta Falcons for first place in the NFC South, and given the injury situation, another division title seems extremely unlikely right now.
NEXT: Baker Mayfield Is On Pace To Break Franchise Record This Season
