Baker Mayfield and the Bucs are in the playoffs. It took another gritty game by the quarterback to secure a victory and a playoff spot, but Tampa Bay did so by beating the Saints 27-19, securing the NFC’s No. 3 seed in the process.

Bucs WR Mike History – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

It was a slow start for the offense as they headed into halftime down 16-6 in front of their home crowd. After a disappointing start, the team responded with an electric finish, really starting when wide receiver Jalen McMillan converted a crucial fourth down with a big catch then followed by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

McMillan went on to cap the drive with a 32-yard touchdown that saw the Bucs take a 20-19 lead. Mayfield then directed the offense on a 12-play, 94-yard drive where he showed off his wheels with a 28-yard scramble. Running back Bucky Irving punched it in to seal the deal, but there was still one problem.

Wide receiver Mike Evans needed his 1,000 yards.

To close the game off properly, Mayfield found Evans for nine yards to ensure everyone left the stadium happy.

Here is what Mayfield had to say following the Bucs’ regular-season finale:

Baker Mayfield’s Full Post-Game Transcript

Baker Mayfield On The Sideline Mood Leading Up To The Last Throw To Wide Receiver Mike Evans:

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

“The conversation was like ‘alright, well, obviously we can’t turn the ball over, can’t give them another chance, but how do we want to [format] this play to get Mike [Evans] the ball to where he can’t get double covered?’.

“That was what we came up with and Mike [Evans] did the rest. And he deserves that because this guy means so much to the community, this team, this organization, for years. For him to be able to reach that feat 11 years in a row and tie Jerry Rice is – it’s unbelievable.”

Baker Mayfield On The Fourth Down Conversion In The Fourth Quarter To Wide Receiver Jalen McMillan:

“They were running one of their third down coverages, bringing a safety down. They were running man. They were showing two-high, bring a safety in to kind of rob some crossing routes over the middle. I knew I was going to have a one-on-one with Jalen [McMillan] running a corner route and just buying time trying to hold the safety in the middle and he made a great play.”

Baker Mayfield On The Touchdown Throw To Wide Receiver Jalen McMillan In The Fourth Quarter:

Bucs WR Jalen McMillan – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“Overall today we, offensively, just too many penalties. Too many long distances. Second-and-longs, third-and-longs, so we were in a situation right there where scramble drill took over. They were dropping out of their coverage and Jalen [McMillan] recognized it quickly and just turned out right and fundamentally sound, toe-tapping on the sideline in the endzone and making a great play.”

Baker Mayfield On Wanting To Get Mike Evans Over 1,000 Yards:

“He always has [put the team first]. That’s why you love him. That’s why we appreciate having him. We’re lucky to have him and he’s underappreciated throughout the media, the league and he’s one of one. He deserves that. Obviously, you saw the stadium erupt, the sideline erupt. You can tell how much people care about him and what that means for everybody around him.”

Baker Mayfield On His Thoughts When Running Back Bucky Irving Scored Late In The Fourth Quarter:

“Shit. We won the game, great. But now I’m going to be the guy that didn’t get the 1,000 yards so now [Mike Evans] is going to have play 11 more years after that if we’re going to get him that. No, but obviously the important thing is winning. All jokes aside the most important thing is winning. But you have a little second on the sideline there to realize you’re that close to it and God is great, got us the ball back, defense got us a stop and so we were able to get one more play to him.”

Baker Mayfield On The Motivation Today:

“It’s a win or – win or you’re going on vacation and nobody in this locker room wants to go on vacation yet so this is a tough group. We knew it was going to be a scrappy ball game. It’s a division rival and the Saints came here last year when we had a chance to clinch in Week 17 as well and they beat the brakes off us so we had to realize what type of game it’s going to be – physical game, win at any cost and not matter what it looks like.”

Baker Mayfield On How He Feels Clinching A Playoff Birth in his second year with the Bucs:

“It feels good, but our goal wasn’t just getting into the playoffs. We want to go all the way. Like I said, this is a tough, resilient group that’s been tested throughout the year and so we’re built for the playoffs.”

Baker Mayfield On S Jordan Whitehead’s Accident On Saturday Being Another Struggle The Team Had To Face And What They Can Say About Their Resiliency:

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

“First and foremost, you want the health and safety of everybody involved, especially when it’s one of your teammates. Somebody else was involved in it too and they’re in the hospital so [my] thoughts and prayers are with everybody involved in that. It’s just continuing to have to face whatever adversity or test, whatever comes up and guys handling it and finding a way. That’s what it’s all about.”

Baker Mayfield On Having A Career-High 68 Rushing Yards In Sunday’s Game:

“68 [yards]? Wow. They were dropping it in coverage. Like I said, we were in a lot of those longer yardage situations so they were dropping eight, dropping out in coverage, sinking underneath that, not trying to let us convert it through the air so [I was] trying to take advantage of that with my legs and just make the most of the opportunity.”

Baker Mayfield On If He Knew This Was The Buccaneers’ First Win This Season After Being Down By 10 Points In A Game:

“No, I did not know that.”

Baker Mayfield On If He Plans To Celebrate Tonight By Watching Some Football With His Teammates:

“Yeah, we’ll watch and see who we’re going to play. Was the Rams-Seahawks game at the same time? Oh yeah, afternoon game, West Coast. I guess we’ll watch and see who we’re going to play.”

Baker Mayfield On His Reaction To Missing WR Mike Evans On The Go Route Earlier In The Game:

“Like I said earlier, shit.”