Dolphins 20, Buccaneers 17
Q. You've been in this situation too many times in the last eight weeks or so. What was different about today, if anything, in terms of the way you execute after the first drive?
BAKER MAYFIELD: The first interception really just got to give J-Mac a ball more towards the sideline. You know, he was open. That wasn't a decision-making thing by any means. Just got to get him a better ball.
Physical mistakes are going to happen, but then later on some of those penalties really hurt to us not get on some points. Then obviously the blocked field goal.
So that's just a matter of execution, of not shooting yourselves in the foot in the first half. In the second half, yeah, that second interception, 21 did a good job. He was rolling back to the middle of the field. It's cover three, but he went off my eyes and reacted and stopped and went back for it.
So for me it's don't just assume that he's going to be where he's supposed to be. You know, football players make plays, and he made a good play right there and read my eyes.
So offensively it comes back to execution. You know, we obviously gave ourselves a fighting chance right there, but yeah, didn't do enough. Yeah, those turnovers obviously crushed us, so got to come back.
Here's the thing, we still have a chance next week. We've been blessed with a chance next week, and guys need to handle it the right way. I think Lavonte spoke to the team right after the game, and hit the nail on the head. So got to respond.
Q. What was his message?
BAKER MAYFIELD: I'll keep that in-house.
Q. You have been in the same position where it's a loss, but it's not over. How can this be different when you reset this week? How can you guys make it a different outcome?
BAKER MAYFIELD: This is our last chance, and it's blatantly obvious. There is no more regular season games on the schedule. We have this one back at home, and it comes down to execution. Xs and Os, it felt like we had a good plan going into it, and players have to deliver.
Q. It seemed like you and Jalen got a lot of things done in the passing game. How did he step up?
BAKER MAYFIELD: Yeah, he made a bunch of good plays for us. It's something that we trust J-Mac. He's obviously had a lot of reps with us. Getting him back in there in the swing of things, just it's another option for us when they want to roll the coverage over the top of Mike.
J-Mac has taken advantage of opportunities. Somebody that I've had a decent amount of work with in the scramble drills, so he always responds well to that.
Q. Did they make adjustments after your first drive for a touchdown, because you couldn't have started the game much better?
BAKER MAYFIELD: A little bit. Yeah, a few adjustments here and there. We executed on third downs and the fourth down on that first drive. That was the difference to be able to sustain that drive.
Q. You just have to erase everything and just focus on you. I know we've heard some version of that in the past, but is there a key to that to how you do that this week?
BAKER MAYFIELD: Just true intent and focus on each rep in practice. You know, when you know a division opponent as well as we know the Panthers and they know us, it's truly about executing your job to the best of your ability each play. That's plain and simple.
At this point in the season, yeah, there might be a couple of wrinkles here and there with the game plan, but what you see is what you get when you play a divisional opponent. It's about executing, beating the guy across from you, and finding a way to win.
Q. Baker, do you feel like this team came with juice and energy coming into the game? Todd said he felt that was the way with you guys.
BAKER MAYFIELD: Yeah, I thought like the mindset and mentality was good coming into this one. Obviously started fast on offense. Just then got to execute after that.
Q. Do you think the last reception, the long reception from Chris Godwin, he ran out of speed? What happened with Chris Godwin?
BAKER MAYFIELD: It's the fourth quarter. Chris is a great athlete, don't get me wrong, but he's not one of our burner speed guys. The fact that he even made it that long of a play was incredible on his part this late in the game.
He got us in scoring position, and it was the difference in us being able to go for an onside kick. Nothing happened to Chris Godwin. He made a great play for us.
Q. If you guys protect the football, do you think it's a different outcome?
BAKER MAYFIELD: Absolutely. Absolutely. Especially that first one. You know, you go through the first drive, really move the ball well, they don't seem to have an answer for what we were doing schematically.
After that it's the momentum shift. When you are playing a team that they've got nothing to play for besides incentives, when you give them a little juice and momentum, that's how they're going to respond.
Yeah, got to take care of the ball. In a two-minute drill, another one that I talked about, sometimes it's going to happen, but for me that one confirming that he's not in that window to throw it to Mac.
Q. Just saw Carolina just a week ago. They're in the same position as you guys, obviously. You have to win to win it all. What's that like to play the same team twice and again at home? Any kind of advantage there?
BAKER MAYFIELD: Yeah, there's definitely an advantage having it being a home game, but it's about executing. The fact that we're still in it, that should give us the positivity we need to rebound from this, hit the reset button, like Todd said, erase it. It's about us executing.
Listen, to have a chance at home to get into the playoffs and win the division, wouldn't have it any other way. Obviously the things leading up to it, yeah, we would love to change them, but still have a chance. Playing for the division at home, and we'll get this group ready.
Q. You are literally out of bullets now, right?
BAKER MAYFIELD: Out of bullets, out of lives. That's all right with me.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports