Coming up short in Week 4 is not the result Bucs center Graham Barton and the team wanted. Tampa Bay displayed enough resolve to make it a closer game than it was in the first half, but the first loss of the season still stung; there is no getting around that.

After Sunday's 31-25 loss to the Eagles, Barton spoke to a handful of reporters about his immediate thoughts on the game and how the team can get back on track and find its footing against the Seahawks in Week 5.

Graham Barton: "We Just Came Out Slow"

The Bucs got the ball to start the game this past Sunday, looking to score and take a lead against a star-studded Eagles team. Instead, they went down 7-0 without the defense ever seeing the field after Riley Dixon had his punt blocked and returned for a touchdown. A three-and-out by the offense led to a 14-0 deficit after Philadelphia quickly made its way down the field.

Bucs P Riley Dixon – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Graham Barton pointed to the offense spinning its wheels at the start for being their downfall. Tampa Bay did not score a touchdown until the third quarter, which is unacceptable when facing a team likely to make another deep postseason run come January.

"I mean, we just came out slow," Barton said. "You blink and you're down 14-0. Proud of the way that we crawled back and fought, we had a chance there at the end. We just have to play better. Thought we had some successful runs at times, had a couple of big plays there in the second half. [The Eagles have] a good defense, a good team. They came in here and punched early and got the win, credit to them. We have to be better to start the game."

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

After being down 24-6 at one point, the Bucs made it a 31-23 contest and were within striking distance of potentially tying things up. Although that did not come to pass after quarterback Baker Mayfield's pass was intercepted in the end zone, Barton still appreciated they did not quit when it looked bleak.

"Never a doubt with this group," Barton said. "We had a chance there at the end. This week, we came up short. We have to be better down the stretch, have to limit mental mistakes."

Graham Barton On Protecting Baker Mayfield: "I Live And Die With That Guy"

As the Bucs look to move on from their first defeat this season, there is reason to be optimistic the rest of the way. The Bucs' offense is trending in a healthier direction after welcoming back wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. and left tackle Tristan Wirfs. Wirfs' return also bumped Graham Barton back to his normal center spot after he filled in to protect Baker Mayfield's blind spot.

As Barton prepares for the next game, he sees what occurred at Raymond James Stadium being a valuable learning lesson. Taking in the loss, even being pissed off by it, and then using it as an opportunity to build.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles and ST coordinator Thomas McGaughey – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

"I was really proud of this group," Barton said. "We fought… just have to move on to the next one. Take it in stride, see what we can learn, and continue to grow. [Philadelphia] is a great team; chances are we could see them again."

After getting off to a 3-1 start, the goal is once again making the playoffs. The way things are lining up, winning the NFC South for a fifth straight season appears likely with how the Falcons, Panthers, and Saints are collectively struggling. That would mean another postseason appearance for the Bucs, and it would also make it a possibility of seeing the Eagles yet again.

For now, the team is taking it one game at a time as they have their toughest stretch of games upcoming. After facing the 3-1 Seahawks, they will return home from the west coast to battle the 3-1 49ers and then travel to Detroit and play the 3-1 Lions. Nothing is easy, and nothing is guaranteed.

Barton realizes the looming tests ahead.

"We got a good stretch of games coming up here, we had some good challenges," Barton said. "We had that teeth of the schedule last year when we went Baltimore, Kansas City, etc. To me, this is kind of that same stretch coming up. We have to be great in these next couple of games. When you start slow against good teams like that, you can't win. It's something to learn from, something to work on for next week going up to Seattle. They're also a really good team."

Fortunately, the Bucs have a warrior within their ranks.

Bucs C Graham Barton and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

Baker Mayfield has helped turn potential losses into signature victories so far and how he steers the ship over the next month will say a lot about their trajectory. While Mayfield fell short of pulling off late-game heroics in Week 4, he is someone Graham Barton is always ready to play alongside and will enjoy the ride.

"What I will say is he is a warrior," Barton said. "I live and die with that guy, no matter what happens. We need to be able to give him more time on some of those crucial throws. We'll fight until the end with Baker. Never worried about him or his performance."