‘Subtle’ Baker Mayfield criticizes NFL’s overtime rules following Bucs’ marginal loss to Chiefs at Arrowhead

Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City Chiefs beat Baker Mayfield and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in overtime after winning OT coin toss.

‘Subtle’ Baker Mayfield criticizes NFL’s overtime rules following Bucs’ marginal loss to Chiefs at Arrowhead

Baker Mayfield not happy with overtime rules that did not give him a fair shot against Patrick Mahomes (Image via Imago/X)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were in prime position in the fourth quarter to hand the Kansas City Chiefs their first loss of the season. All they needed was to attempt—and complete—a two-point conversion. But instead, they fell in overtime, largely because the ball ended up in Patrick Mahomes‘ hands, not Baker Mayfield‘s.

The Buccaneers star’s reaction at the overtime coin toss said it all. He knew, like everyone else in the football world, that when it comes to clutch moments, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are as good as it gets.

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Moreover, most teams that receive the ball in overtime end up winning the game, as the rules state that the first touchdown decides the outcome. There have been instances, however, where defenses manage to stop the receiving team and hold them to a field goal, giving their own offense a chance to win once they get the ball back.

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But when considering the fact that the kicking team do not get a fair shot to win, it makes the odds favor the receiving team. At their press conference, when asked about his reaction to this loss, Baker Mayfield echoed those notions.

You’re hoping to win the coin toss. Not a fan of the NFL’s overtime rules, obviously it’s gotten us twice now. Overtime rules are not the best.

Baker Mayfield said

The eight-year veteran knows that towards the end of the game, the momentum was with them. His game tying touchdown drive almost put the Kansas City Chiefs in a difficult position. He suggested that they had a better shot at winning against a ‘gassed’ Chiefs defense.

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Baker Mayfield and Buccaneers losing close games again

Last season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers went through heartbreak after heartbreak as they lost a few close games. However, they managed to rally towards the end of the season to book their playoff berth. They had an easier last few games to thank for that run.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers losing close games to playoff contenders does not bode well for Super Bowl hopes
Tampa Bay Buccaneers losing close games to playoff contenders does not bode well for Super Bowl hopes (Image via Tampa Bay Buccaneers/X)

The same can be said of this season, as after their next week’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, they have an easier set of games. But any team worth their value would want to win games against the benchmark of the league.

The now 8-0 Patrick Mahomes-led team are the side to beat as they look to win a third-straight Super Bowl. Losing against them generally takes a toll on the mindset of elite players, more than winning against average or below average teams.

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What will hurt them more is that all their recent three losses were close games, which could give an indication that they are not yet good enough to go over the hump. Surely, not a good feeling for a team looking to try and win a Super Bowl.