The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are rolling, and Baker Mayfield has a authentic case to be thought-about a frontrunner for the NFL MVP trophy.
The Buccaneers improved to 4-1 after an exhilarating shootout with the Seattle Seahawks in Week 5. Mayfield outdueled Sam Darnold in a conflict of 2018 NFL Draft high 5 quarterbacks.
Mayfield completed with a profession day passing the soccer. He had 379 passing yards and two touchdowns on 29-of-33 passing. He additionally rushed the soccer 5 occasions for 15 yards.
Since arriving in Tampa Bay, Mayfield has utterly turned his profession round. The Buccaneers wanted a quarterback to pivot off of Tom Brady retiring. Just some seasons later, it’s Mayfield that has the Buccaneers wanting like a severe contender within the NFC.
Earlier than the season, Mayfield was +2500 to win MVP on FanDuel Sportsbook. In simply 5 video games, his odds have already surged to +1300. He’s surpassed quarterbacks like Matthew Stafford, Jalen Hurts, Justin Herbert and Jared Goff.
Whereas Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes and Jordan Love stand in entrance of Mayfield to win MVP this season, the Buccaneers quarterback must be price an actual look.
He has 4 game-winning drives this season already in video games the place Tampa Bay was tied or trailing. He has 1,283 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and one interception.
Comparatively, Love has 1,000 passing yards, eight touchdowns and one interception. Mahomes has 939 yards and 7 touchdowns with one interception.
Earlier this season, Mayfield handled the lack of future Corridor of Fame receiver Mike Evans like a franchise quarterback would. First-round rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka has become a dependable choice, already outpacing expectations for his first season. The younger wideout has caught 18 passes for 282 yards and 4 touchdowns to begin his NFL profession.
There’s no denying that Mayfield’s journey was rather more distinctive than Allen, Mahomes and Love. The No. 1 general choose flamed out with the Cleveland Browns and was traded to the Carolina Panthers the place his profession was on life help. Sean McVay’s Los Angeles Rams gave Mayfield yet another shot at life within the NFL, the place he was capable of present a spark and land in Tampa Bay.
Mayfield suits Tampa Bay’s group like a glove. He’s skilled sufficient to enchantment to the veterans on the roster and make them really feel snug that he can cause them to the promised land. At 30 years outdated, Mayfield can even relate to the youthful gamers and assist them develop.
There’s nonetheless loads of soccer left to play. Mayfield’s heroics might want to proceed. Or arguably extra importantly, the Buccaneers might want to play complimentary soccer so he’s not at all times pressured to play Superman on the finish.
So long as his manufacturing continues and interceptions keep down, Mayfield can have a severe case to take dwelling the MVP.