A Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback in a white uniform runs with the football, successfully evading a low tackle attempt by a San Francisco 49ers defender.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (R) at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Oct. 12, 2025. Credit: Photo via Buccaneers

It’s too early to be talking about this. And yet, Sunday afternoon’s game for the Buccaneers was a statement performance from quarterback Baker Mayfield as Tampa Bay proceeded to take down the San Francisco 49ers 30-19. 

So far, the 30-year-old former Heisman Trophy-winner and journeyman has been one of the best players in football—and emerged as the way-too-early MVP favorite. 

If you want to point to a single play that signifies Mayfield’s value to this team look no further than the miraculous 15-yard run on third and 14 early in the fourth quarter. 

It looked like the Bucs playcaller was going to be brought down for a massive sack and kill the solid momentum the Bucs had built up. 

Instead, as he’s done so many times throughout this impressive start, Mayfield was able to not only escape, but pick up a massive gain. 

Later in the drive, the Cleveland Browns’ No. 1 pick from the 2018 Draft threw an absolute laser down the field to rookie wide receiver Tez Johnson, who managed to break open and make a miraculous catch for a touchdown. 

Obviously, Baker’s success is not a solo accomplishment, as rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka has been off to a historic start.

Egbuka left the game with a hamstring injury—joining star receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin on the bench—but the Bucs are still in perfect position to maintain their dominance in the NFC South. 

And unlike the last four games, this one wasn’t a nailbiter thanks to a Tampa Bay defense that took advantage of San Francisco backup quarterback Mac Jones, who threw for over 300 yards—and a couple of backbreaking interceptions. 

The Buccaneers pass rush also managed to show up in a big way, especially in the second half, with its excellent performance punctuated by a game-sealing sack from Hassan Reddick. The group had six sacks for the day, and the pressure is a big reason why Jones threw those two interceptions. 

Around the division, the Carolina Panthers managed to sneak out a win against the Dallas Cowboys, bringing the team’s record to 3-3 for the year. The Falcons take on the tough Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. 

Unfortunately, things don’t get any easier for Tampa Bay because after this tough matchup with the now 4-2 49ers, they head to the Motor City next week to battle with the very talented Detroit Lions—now 4-2 after last night’s loss to the Chiefs. 

Even if the Bucs can’t  beat Detroit, a 5-2 start would be one heck of a thing, especially considering all of the injuries and the tough teams they’ve had to play. 

But we can’t rule anything out with a team that could very well be going into a bye week at 6-1. 

Fire those cannons the Buccaneers are absolutely cooking, or should we say baking?

Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.

Follow us: Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | BlueSky

This article appears in Oct. 9-15, 2025.