Starting the season with a 5-1 record, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will enter Week 7 as the best NFC team this season. Quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has rushed for 1539 yards and 12 touchdowns, has been one of the reasons behind the Bucs’ rise this year. However, the Bucs’ QB is not taking the early success for granted before facing the Super Bowl contenders Detroit Lions, on Monday Night Football.

“Each week is extremely important…You don’t have to go above and beyond, but you have to do your job and do it at a high level,” Mayfield said on Thursday, October 16, while talking to reporters after Week 7 practice. He also said that beating elite teams definitely increases confidence.

Baker Mayfield took the Bucs to their 5th win of the season against the SF 49ers with 30-19. He completed 17 of 23 passes for 256 yards and 2 touchdowns. His offense was short on their starters with injuries to WR Mike Evans, WR Chris Godwin, and RB Bucky Irving. Rookie WR Emeka Egbuka also injured his hamstring early in the game and left. But the signal caller was in no mood to spoil his winning run.

He used the backups and relied on accuracy. The defense also rose to the occasion and sacked the Niners QB Mac Jones 6 times for 51 yards, stopped him from scoring a touchdown, and also intercepted him twice. It was a total team effort that saved the day. But knowing how brilliant the Lions’ offense has been this season, their trip to Ford Field will not be a cakewalk. And Mayfield knows it all too well.

His rookie teammate, WR Tez Johnson, openly praised him during the October 15 episode of ESPN’s SportsCenter. “He’s relentless, he’s the MVP, he’s got it hands down. The way he works at practice and the way he carries himself and how hard he pushed the team is he deserves it,” the rookie said. So, the team definitely believes in his leadership.

With the tough week 7 matchup against the Lions, they need it more than ever now.

Baker Mayfield is ready to face the Detroit Lions

The Lions were having a great run until the Kansas City Chiefs put the brakes on their winning track in a controversial game. However, Mayfield does not believe it is going to affect the Lions, who will be without defensive back Brian Branch after the NFL suspended him for a game.

“They’ve done a really good job with the turnover battle this year. Starts with Kirby Joseph. He’s just a true ball hawk all around the tape. Their linebackers do such a good job of making it hard on you,” he said while setting expectations of a good challenge.

There are 2 areas that the Bucs QB has correctly identified. The Lions have recorded only 2 interceptions in 6 games, but they have intercepted their rivals 6 times. Also, when it comes to putting pressure, they have found holes in offensive protection. The rivals have sacked their QB, Jared Goff, 9 times for 43 yards. But when it comes to the Lions, they have aggressively followed the signal callers, sacking them 19 times for 126 yards. So, the Bucs’ offensive protection needs to be top-notch. Baker Mayfield has also logged 10 sacks in 6 games.

So far, the contest between the two teams has been even. Out of 63 games, the Bucs have won 30. With the quarterback in such red-hot form, they are hoping for a victory. But the Lions are also expecting to bounce back. Can they survive Brach’s mistake and win? It will be decided on Monday, October 20, at Ford Field.