The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are riding high after two defensively dominant weeks.
One week after knocking out the NFC South-leading Carolina Panthers 43-13, the Buccaneers delivered another dominant showing, shutting out the Atlanta Falcons 16-0. Tampa Bay forced four interceptions from Michael Penix Jr. while rushing for a franchise-high 324 rushing yards. Baker Mayfield didn't complete a single pass as the Buccaneers became the first team since 1974 to win an NFL game without a completion.
The Buccaneers are now 3-5 and just a half-game behind the Panthers for the NFC South division lead. As Tampa Bay shifts its attention to next week's game against the Chicago Bears, reporters asked Mayfield what his message is to the team as they prepare for a big
NFC matchup on Sunday Night Football.
"Just got to continue to do the things that we've been getting better at the last couple weeks," said Mayfield. "Continue to do that, lean on that, and just like I said, it's about taking care of the football. When we do that, we play well, we feed off each other. So just got to continue to do that. Doesn't matter the stage, the setting, the conditions, just plays as a unit."
The Buccaneers' passing attack hasn't been asked to do much since Mayfield returned from a three-game absence with a thumb injury. Mayfield completed just 7 of 11 passes for 64 yards in last week's win over the Panthers.
As the Buccaneers look ahead to next week, they'll need to get the passing game going if they want to knock off one of the top teams in the NFC. The Bears have the seventh-best offense in the NFL and the ninth-best defense.
Mayfield is confident the Buccaneers will get the passing game going when they need it, likely as soon as next week against the 5-2 Bears.
"I'm very confident," said Mayfield. "Obviously, last two weeks we haven't needed it, and today was more condition-based. But I'm very confident in the fact that we'll be just fine. We've had two really good weeks of practice when it comes to the pass game stuff. We've been prepared. Whenever whenever we need it, we'll have it."
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Baker Mayfield on his message to Buccaneers entering Week 9 matchup against Bears
