The Bucs ran the ball over 30 times on Sunday in their 23-20 divisional loss to the Panthers. But when they had to start throwing with a chance to tie the game up or even go ahead, it was one errant throw by quarterback Baker Mayfield that ended any hopes the Bucs had, giving them another loss in six of their last seven games.

Tampa Bay was over midfield with under a minute to go and getting closer to field goal range. Looking to make a play, Mayfield stepped up in the pocket and fired a pass intended for Evans. The problem was that Mayfield’s movement led Evans to believe that Mayfield was getting ready to scramble.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and RT Luke Goedeke – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Bob Donnan

After all, Mayfield had 49 rushing yards on four scrambles. So Evans began to start blocking, but it was too late. Mayfield had already fired a pass as Evans went in another direction. Panthers defensive back Lathan Ransom still had his eyes on the throw and picked it off to end the game.

Baker Mayfield Discusses INT In Bucs’ Loss

It not very often that Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans aren’t on the same page. But unfortunately that was the case for them on the final play. Mayfield explained what transpired.

“Unfortunately, it was [a miscommunication],” Mayfield said. “I was trying to find a lane to step through and make the throw to him. He thought I was going to scramble, which, based on some of the scrambles earlier to that, you can’t blame him for that. Honestly, just a sucky situation.”

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and RT Luke Goedeke – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Bob Donnan

“Stepping up in the pocket, the guy was going to be over the top of him. It was going be a bang bang play. But (I) trust Mike in those situations, it would’ve put us in field goal range at that point. Still had a timeout, so at that point you’re really evaluating time on the clock, let’s go score to win the game, no negative plays to knock us out of field goal position, so that’s what was going through my head, get one to our best player.”

Evans had the most targets out of any Tampa Bay with receiver with nine and finished with five catches for 31 yards and a touchdown. The Bucs planned to run the ball more often throughout the whole game, which was an odd strategy considering it was the second game back for Evans and Jalen McMillan to give the Bucs all four of their starting receivers.

The future Hall of Famer has done plenty to help his team, even in a year where he’s had several different injuries. It not his fault or Mayfield’s on that interception, just bad timing of it all.

“I’m never going to question his (Evans’) instincts,” Mayfield said. “And that’s a thing where you can look and say we should’ve done this, we should’ve done that, but its just the timing of the play. It happens in a millisecond and unfortunately today it wasn’t on the right side for us.”

Can Bucs Salvage The Season?

Nobody wants to get in a routine of losing, but its really all the Bucs have known as of late. The team is 1-6 since coming out of the bye and have two separate three-game long streaks sandwiched in between one win over the Cardinals.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Jim Dedmon

And yet if Tampa Bay finds a way beat the Dolphins and the Panthers in their Week 18 rematch, they’ll be division champs. The Bucs can even lose the Dolphins and beat the Panthers if Carolina falls to the Seahawks next week. That isn’t lost on the team.

“We’ve got to win out to win the division and get into the playoffs,” Mayfield said. “It’s as clear as it can be. Wish we would could’ve taken care of business today, but situation doesn’t change. It sucks. Too many penalties, kept shooting ourselves in the foot, and got to finish with seven in the red zone instead of three.”

And what Mayfield said to end his comment has been apparent over their last seven matchups.

“Same story, different day.”