The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ two-game win streak crashed to a halt in a 24-9 loss to the Detroit Lions on Monday night, but it wasn’t the Lions’ dominant running game that stole the postgame spotlight—it was a series of controversial calls that left quarterback Baker Mayfield visibly and verbally frustrated.
Mayfield, who was seen confronting a referee in the fourth quarter, did not hold back when asked about the officiating after the game, calling out multiple “questionable” decisions.
“A third-down defensive holding call that wasn’t called, and also still pretty damn confused about the double review,” Mayfield said. “A lot of things in that game that were a little questionable… I work my ass off, and I put a lot into this game, so when [calls are made] that I don’t think are deemed fair, I’m going to let somebody know.”
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The most perplexing sequence came in the second half. On a crucial fourth down, Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton appeared to complete a short pass for a first down.
Following a challenge from the Lions, officials initially upheld the ruling.
Yet, in an unusual turn of events, a referee returned to the video monitor for a second look and ultimately announced the call had been reversed, stripping the Buccaneers of the first down and giving possession back to Detroit, even restoring the Lions’ timeout.
An earlier overturned play, which ruled a short pass to Otton an interception, also added to the Buccaneers’ frustration.
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Adding insult to injury, Bucs star wide receiver Mike Evans was carted off the field and has since been diagnosed with a broken clavicle, a potentially season-ending blow.
The Buccaneers now host NFC South rival New Orleans Saints on Sunday, looking to rebound from the loss and the resulting controversy.
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