Mayfield’s Turnovers Fuel Bengals’ 33-27 Win
Mayfield’s Turnovers Fuel Bengals’ 33-27 Win
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Key Points
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One of Mayfield’s fumbles came on a third-down strip sack by Bengals linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr., who returned it 27 yards for Cincinnati’s first touchdown. A second fumble occurred when Mayfield was hit while scrambling toward the end zone and the ball rolled out through the end zone for a turnover.
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Mayfield also had an interception overturned by a Bengals penalty, meaning he narrowly avoided a fourth turnover in the game.
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Despite his passing struggles, Mayfield contributed 30 rushing yards and a touchdown on five carries against Cincinnati.
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Cleveland also opened the season 0-1 after a 34-10 loss to Jacksonville, setting up a matchup between two teams trying to rebound in Tampa Bay.
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Before the season, Mayfield described Tampa Bay as his home and said of facing Cleveland: “It’s time to show them which home is better.” His first career matchup with the Browns came in 2022 while he was with Carolina, when he passed for 235 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Baker Mayfield's first game after signing a four-year, $192 million contract extension with Tampa Bay ended in disaster. The Buccaneers lost to Cincinnati 33-27 after Mayfield fumbled three times, with his turnovers directly producing 17 Bengals points ESPN. Tampa Bay committed four turnovers overall in the loss.
Mayfield completed 23 of 28 passes for 216 yards without a touchdown or interception. But his giveaways proved costly. One fumble was returned 27 yards for a defensive touchdown. Another bounced through the end zone for a turnover ESPN. The 0-1 Buccaneers face Cleveland next week—Mayfield's second career matchup against the team that drafted him first overall in 2018.
How Mayfield's Fumbles Turned the Game
Mayfield's first major mistake came on a third-down strip sack. Bengals linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. punched the ball loose and returned it 27 yards for Cincinnati's opening touchdown ESPN. Later, Mayfield was hit while scrambling toward the end zone and fumbled—the ball rolled out of bounds for another turnover.
On one play, an interception was overturned by a Bengals penalty, sparing Mayfield from a fourth giveaway ESPN. Despite the fumbles, Mayfield added 30 rushing yards and one touchdown on five carries. His passing accuracy was sharp, but the turnovers overwhelmed any positives.
Cleveland Enters Week 2 Also Searching for Answers
The Browns opened their season 0-1 after a 34-10 loss to Jacksonville ESPN. Now they travel to Tampa Bay for a matchup between two teams desperate to right the ship. Both Mayfield and Cleveland have plenty to prove in Week 2.
Mayfield Returns to Face the Team That Drafted Him
Before the season, Mayfield said of returning to Cleveland: "It's time to show them which home is better." He called Tampa Bay his true home ESPN. His first game against the Browns came in 2022 with Carolina, when he threw for 235 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Mayfield's new contract averages $48 million per year, placing him among the NFL's highest-paid quarterbacks ESPN. After Sunday's performance, he'll need to prove that investment was worth it when Cleveland arrives in Florida next week.
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