Mayfield, Buccaneers Off to 0-2 After Late Miss Against Browns

Tampa Bay opened 0-2 for the first time since 2014 as Baker Mayfield's late throw to Emeka Egbuka sailed incomplete in a 23-19 loss to Cleveland.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell to 0-2 for the first time since 2014 with a 23-19 home loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Late in the game, Emeka Egbuka had beaten his coverage in the end zone on a potential go-ahead play, but Baker Mayfield's throw went beyond his grasp and the chance slipped away.

The defeat came shortly after Mayfield signed a three-year, $165 million extension this month, a deal that made him the highest-paid player in franchise history. Mayfield acknowledged he needed to trust Egbuka to come out of his break more slowly given the wet conditions and leave room to run under the ball. Earlier on that final drive, rookie Ted Hurst could not secure a fade pass thrown into heavy rain, a play Mayfield called difficult while affirming his trust in the first-year receiver.

Mayfield completed 21 of 34 passes for 182 yards with a touchdown and an interception, took three sacks, and forced a first-half throw that Cleveland turned into three points. He also lost three fumbles in Week 1 against Cincinnati, and since 2024 he has accumulated 28 interceptions and 27 fumbles. The quarterback said the team is hurting itself with fixable mistakes and must review the film, correct the issues, and move forward.

On the positive side, Tampa Bay's ground attack produced 137 yards at 5.5 per attempt, with Bucky Irving gaining 89 yards on 17 carries, including a 38-yard run. The offensive line had a rough afternoon, allowing three sacks and committing costly holding penalties, two of which wiped out third-down conversions and another that pushed the ball from the Cleveland 13 to the 23 on the final drive.

Next up is a home date with the Minnesota Vikings, who improved to 2-0 by holding Chicago to a field goal in a 9-3 win. The Buccaneers are 2-9 since opening last season 6-2, and only 16 percent of teams over the past five seasons have reached the playoffs after starting 0-2.