Analyst Says 1 NFC Contender Is Trending In ‘Wrong Direction’

When it rains, it pours for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They have now lost three consecutive games and four of their last five, dropping their record to 6-5. And while they’re still sitting at the top spot in the NFC South, things aren’t looking good for Todd Bowles’ team right now.

To add insult to injury – literally – Baker Mayfield left the 34-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams with a left shoulder injury. He hasn’t been ruled out of next week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, but it’s clearly not looking good.

With that in mind, NFL analyst John Middlekauff expressed his concerns about this club. Talking on his “3 & Out” podcast, Middlekauff pointed out that this team was trending in the right direction. More than that, they simply won’t stand a chance to win many more games if Mayfield is seriously injured:

“They are not only not fully healthy, they are trending in the wrong direction. If Baker is injured, they are just completely fuc***. They would have no chance to compete. You could convince me Tampa’s not going to win many game moving forward. They can’t stop a soul on defense. Their offense without Mayfield is going to be in shambles. It’s not looking pretty at all,” Middlekauff said.

"The Buccaneers are trending in the WRONG direction." @HardRockBet @JohnMiddlekauff reacts to the Bucs SNF loss to the Rams and what Baker Mayfield's injury means for the team moving forward. pic.twitter.com/2T5B9vvbZT

— 3 & OUT with John Middlekauff (@3andout_pod) November 24, 2025

Mayfield completed 9 of 19 passes for just 41 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions before leaving the game. Teddy Bridgewater took the reins of the offense in his absence, and he would be in line to make his first start since Week 17 of the 2022 season if Mayfield has to miss time. He completed 8 of 15 passes for 62 yards in the loss.

The Bucs got off to a strong start to the season, but all the injuries on both sides of the field have taken a big toll on their ability to compete at the highest level lately. And with a banged-up quarterback and an ailing defense, it might get worse before it gets any better.

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