The Buccaneers' two-game losing streak inspires some concern simply because it's two weeks without a win as the NFL heads toward late November.
Now is not the time to fall apart, and fortunately for Tampa Bay, quarterback Baker Mayfield believes the team is already headed back toward success. It all began with a talk he had with teammates following their Week 10 loss to New England.
Since the accountability-focused speech, Mayfield has seen his team turn it on. They hung with the Bills for more than three quarters this past Sunday, ran for 202 yards (thanks in large part to a big day from reserve Sean Tucker) and put 32 points on the board before Buffalo pulled away, providing Mayfield with much-needed proof of improvement.
"I think there was a difference mentally," Mayfield said, via the team's official site. "Any time you run the ball like that, guys are locked in -- they're doing their job. That takes everybody, not just the offensive line. Obviously, they played extremely well to run the ball over 200 yards, but I think the message was well-received. We just didn't make enough plays when we needed to."
The task grows in difficulty in Week 12 when the Buccaneers (6-4) head to Southern California to face the Los Angeles Rams (8-2), a top contender in the NFC that ranks sixth in points per game, eighth in yards per game and hasn't lost since Oct. 2. If Tampa Bay is going to halt its losing streak at two games, it'll have to find a way to keep pace with Matthew Stafford and the Rams offense and hope the defense does enough to give the offense a chance to win the game.
If Week 11 was any indicator, Mayfield should carry plenty of faith in his team into SoFi Stadium.
"I think, without a doubt, the fight, the passion, the energy was there," he said of their Week 11 loss to Buffalo. "I think mentally, everybody was locked in. Whether [we] lost focus during the game or just didn't make the plays -- difference there. That's the mentality we have to come out with starting fast and being physical, especially on offense. I think everybody was bought in on that one."
They'll need to buy in again in Inglewood, California. From there, it will be up to Mayfield to lead the way, just like he did in the first six weeks of their season and in the moments after their Week 10 loss.
