The Bucs may play in the NFC South, but lately their biggest battles have come outside of it. After taking down the Eagles and 49ers, Tampa Bay’s toughest non-division gauntlet ends Monday night in Detroit — the site of 2023’s playoff heartbreak.

Both squads have gotten to know each other quite well, with this matchup being the fourth time in three seasons. That 31-23 loss certainly stings quarterback Baker Mayfield. As someone who uses just about anything as a chip on his shoulder, this chip is a notable one, leaving Mayfield extra focused on the looming test ahead.

Baker Mayfield: Facing The Lions “Is Important As A Measuring Stick For Confidence”

As it stands going into Week 7, the Bucs are sitting at 5-1 and atop the NFC. To stay that way, Tampa Bay once again has to tame the Lions at Ford Field. They will be looking to repeat last season, when they beat Detroit 20-16 in Week 2 in what was a huge upset win at the time.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

Baker Mayfield is looking forward to heading up there and do the same thing.

“It is another opportunity each week, but obviously, with it being Detroit and how they have been in recent years, at the top of the NFC, it is a great matchup,” Mayfield said. “When it comes to their mentality and how they play, you have to match that intensity and try and set the precedent early on. I think our guys are up to that challenge. I think that is what we are trying to embody as well, so it is just another good opportunity. [It] happens to be on the road on a Monday night.”

Much has been made of injuries on both sides, as the Bucs’ offense and Lions’ defense are thinned out and will be relying on backups. Still, this opportunity is a test against a team that remains a Super Bowl contender for the pieces that they do have.

Of note, quarterback Jared Goff, running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, and defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, to name a few.

Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson – Photo by: USA Today

“I mean, each week is extremely important, do not get me wrong, but anytime you are playing the teams that are always considered as playoff teams — the teams that are at the top of your conference — that is important as a measuring stick for confidence [and] how good we can execute and do the little things right against great teams,” Mayfield said.

“You do not have to go above and beyond, but you have to do your job and do it at a high level. Had a home test last week, got a really good away test this week, and especially with all the noise that we are expecting.”

To Win, Baker Mayfield Has To Keep Preventing Turnovers

What has drastically helped the Bucs’ cause in recent weeks has been winning the turnover battle. Against the Seahawks and 49ers, Tampa Bay forced two turnovers in each game with the offense not giving the ball away once. On the season, Baker Mayfield has thrown just one interception and limited the turnover plays he has had.

That is something at the top of his mind, knowing the level of competition on the other side will capitalize on any mistakes.

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

“I am not an analytics guy by any means, but when you look at turning the ball over on the road, especially in an environment like that, you just cannot have it,” Mayfield said. “It just gives them so much momentum, the crowd gets more involved. First and foremost, ball security is always the most important thing and especially on the road against a good opponent.

“That just means everybody is doing their job, whether it is pass protection, holding onto the ball as a running back, quarterback getting out on time at the right place and tucking it when I need to.”

What has led to Mayfield’s decrease in turnovers?

He remains the same gunslinger, one who is not shy of making a gutsy throw or, as he said, “tucking it.” He has been arguably the best at making things happen, even when they seem improbable.

As Pewter Report’s Josh Queipo recently outlined, this has resulted in Mayfield playing at an MVP level.

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

“Mentally, you can put more of an emphasis on it,” Mayfield said about limiting turnovers this season. “There are times where I am taking chances and I think there [are] some throws early on, especially you look at Week 1 Atlanta, some turnover-worthy plays, for sure that just did not happen to go that way. It is a balance of understanding where we are at in the game, needing to take shots, certain things like that and just being on the good side of things this year. Hopefully, [we] keep that rolling.”

Keeping it rolling means doing so against the Jared Goff-led Lions. It is hard to foresee a shootout because of the injuries, but efficiency will be the main point of emphasis as Goff has been the best quarterback this season when it comes to completion percentage, all while putting himself in the MVP conversation.

“I love Jared [Goff], great guy,” Mayfield said about the quarterback he will be dueling this time around. “Like I have told you guys before from somebody that can relate to needing a fresh start somewhere else, it is good to see that story. Everybody loves a good underdog story or whatever it is, go through adversity, come out the other side stronger. That is life and that is what football can teach you.”

Baker Mayfield and Jared Goff have gone from underdogs to top dogs, and now it is time to see who really has the best bite.