Tork Mason-USA TODAY Sports
Baker Mayfield’s performance at Lambeau Field Sunday was nothing short of historic, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback became the first player in the stadium’s history to attain a perfect passer rating (158.3) as a visiting player in the team’s 34-20 victory over the Green Bay Packers.
Baker Mayfield, who has led Tampa Bay (7-7) to three straight wins, finished the day completing 22-of-28 passes for 381 yards and four touchdowns.
The Buccaneers, clinging to a 20-17 lead late in the third quarter, were driving when Baker Mayfield got hot.
With under a minute remaining in the third quarter, Baker Mayfield led the Buccaneers on a 75-yard drive that featured Cade Otton’s 22-yard catch setting up Ko Kieft’s two-yard touchdown catch, propelling Tampa Bay to a 27-17 lead.
Despite a Packers rally fueled by gains from Dontayvion Wicks, the Bucs’ defense, led by Lavonte David’s pivotal pass breakup and Shaq Barrett’s forceful sack, held Green Bay to just a field goal, cutting the Buccaneers lead to seven, 27-20.
That’s when Baker Mayfield found his groove again.
With 6:30 left in the fourth quarter, he then led Tampa Bay’s offense on another 75-yard drive, culminating in David Moore’s spectacular 52-yard touchdown catch as the pocket collapsed thanks to Green Bay’s blitz.
Sunday marked Mayfield’s third straight appearance at Lambeau over the past three seasons – all with different teams.
The former No. 1 overall draft pick, who’s become an NFL journeyman, last faced the Packers at Lambeau last season in 24-12 loss as a member of the Los Angeles Rams.
In 2020, Lambeau was a field of horrors for Mayfield, who threw four interceptions in a 24-22 Christmas Day loss in one of his final starts with the Cleveland Browns.
Even though Mayfield had a banner day at Green Bay, he faced pressure all day from the Packers (6-8). Mayfield was sacked five times during the game and had to create plays outside the pocket all day. His Week 15 bounce-back performance might have silenced critics who have doubted his future with the Buccaneers.
Mayfield started the day fast, throwing touchdown passes on each of Tampa Bay’s first three possessions after halftime. Mayfield’s only major miscue was when he fumbled near his goal line, resulting in Green Bay’s touchdown in the third quarter.
The Buccaneers kept pace in the NFC South with the New Orleans Saints, who beat the New York Giants. Tampa Bay closes out its season with a game next week against Jacksonville at home, and then games against division rivals New Orleans and Carolina.