ARLINGTON, Texas — Baker Mayfield isn’t new to leading an NFL team in Texas, but aiding his squad’s playoff aspirations while playing near his hometown is a fresh experience for the Tampa Bay quarterback.
The Buccaneers, currently riding a four-game winning streak, hold the top position in the NFC South with an 8-6 record. They are set to face the Dallas Cowboys, who sit at 6-8 and are on the brink of playoff elimination—an outcome that would cut short their three-year postseason run. This dramatic turn follows the loss of star quarterback Dak Prescott to a season-ending hamstring injury after just eight games.
Mayfield will be making his second appearance at AT&T Stadium. His previous outing there resulted in a high-scoring 49-38 win for the Cleveland Browns amidst pandemic restrictions four years ago. “I have a lot of memories from this place,” Mayfield shared. “I played in both a state championship game and a Big 12 championship here. It’s close enough to Oklahoma that Sooner jerseys are a common sight. It holds special significance for me.”
Previously in his career, Mayfield faced setbacks, including two losses in Houston—one during his rookie season when the Browns were not in serious contention for the playoffs. Last year, the Bucs struggled early with a 3-5 record following a defeat against the Texans but rallied to claim the division title and secure a wild-card victory. Presently, Tampa Bay is coming off a dominant 40-17 win against the Los Angeles Chargers, who are also vying for a playoff spot.
“We ignored the noise when we were losing, and we’re still not paying attention to it now that we’re winning,” said head coach Todd Bowles. “We have enough humor and sarcasm within our coaching staff and players to keep everyone grounded and ready to work.”
For the Cowboys, playoff dreams have faded in recent weeks, yet they have managed to win three of their last four games despite challenges including Prescott’s absence. Notably, they will enter the game without four key starters: Prescott, seven-time All-Pro guard Zack Martin due to an ankle injury, 2021 All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs with a knee injury, and Pro Bowl defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence.
“Living, learning, and applying these lessons to the future is crucial,” coach Mike McCarthy remarked, maintaining a serious tone. “We need to beat Tampa. Creating the right culture, ensuring proper training, and helping our players prepare to win games is our top priority.”
In Prescott’s place, Cooper Rush is poised for his seventh start and comes off an impressive outing where he tossed three touchdown passes in a 30-14 victory against Carolina. Remarkably, six of his 13 career starts have taken place during prime time. “I’ve been around for a while, so I’m used to the late-night game schedule,” Rush stated. “It’s amusing to think about my high number of prime-time starts compared to my overall games.”
Tampa Bay’s recent success follows a rough stretch of losing five out of six games. Interestingly, last season, the Buccaneers finished strongly with a 5-1 record to clinch their third consecutive NFC South title, similar to their current trajectory. The team boasts an impressive December/January record, winning 8 out of 9 in that timeframe since 2023, and an overall 20-5 record in such games since 2020, coinciding with Tom Brady’s arrival.
On the Cowboys’ side, standout edge rusher Micah Parsons continues to impress, aiming to secure double-digit sacks for the fourth time in his four seasons, despite missing four games due to a high ankle sprain. With 8.5 sacks to date, he is in pursuit of joining an elite group of players, all of whom are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. “Resilience and proving people wrong keep me motivated,” Parsons expressed, acknowledging he still feels he has much to prove in the league.
Bucks running back Bucky Irving is also making waves; he leads all NFL rookies with 852 rushing yards while sharing responsibilities with starter Rachaad White. Other 2024 draft recruits making significant contributions include center Graham Barton, wide receiver Jalen McMillan, and safety Tykee Smith, while linebacker Chris Braswell has appeared throughout the season.
Head coach Todd Bowles emphasized the changing tempo of the league, stating, “These days, you can’t expect rookies to spend a year or two on the bench. If you draft seven players, at least four need to step up as impactful contributors right away, while the remaining ones should show potential for the future.”