In Sunday’s 20-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins, Mayfield turned the ball over three times, including two interceptions. It was his fourth straight game with at least one INT, tied for longest active streak with rookies Shedeur Sanders and Brady Cook.
The Bucs fell to 0-8 this season when Mayfield throws at least one shot (7-1 when he doesn’t).
In a Week 16 loss to Carolina, the Bucs QB threw a seal when Tampa had a shot to tie or win the game late.
Losing seven of their last eight games, the Bucs’ postseason hopes, which seemed secure early this season, hang in the balance. Bowles, however, insisted that his club had not split.
“Working in this league is tough. There’s no negativity inside the locker room, inside the building, as far as we’re concerned,” he said. “There are mistakes and things we have to clean up… It’s trust, it’s belief. We have to play harder, we have to play a lot better, we have to train a lot better.”
A loss on Saturday will make it all irrelevant. A win and the Bucs will be looking hard at Tyler Shough and the Saints to end their hot streak with a win over the rival Falcons.