The quarterback for the first time Mayfield Baker played at SoFi Stadium, he started for the Rams with just two days of practice.
On December 6, 2022, the Rams claimed Mayfield off waivers from the Carolina Panthers for replace injured Matthew Stafford. A few days later, he headed the Rams take victory over Las Vegas Raiders on “Thursday Night Football.”
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That performance, one of five games Mayfield started to end this historic Super Bowl hangover season for the Rams, revived Mayfield’s then-stalled career.
In 2023, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed him to a one-year contract and he led them to the divisional round of the NFC playoffs. In 2024, he signed a three-year contract that included $55 million in guarantees and could reach $100 million, according to Overthecap.com.
And on Sunday, he returns to SoFi Stadium to face a Rams team that is 8-2 and looks very much like a Super Bowl contender.
“There’s no way I can sugarcoat it. … It’s been pivotal in my career and my journey,” Mayfield, speaking about his time with the Rams, said to Tampa Bay reporters this week, adding, “It’s helped me get back to enjoying football. … It’s been instrumental in my career, something I’ll be forever grateful for, and it’ll be fun to go back and see familiar faces again.”
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During his short time with the Rams, Mayfield brought “a spark” and demonstrated “pretty impressive mental toughness” to process and implement so much information, the Rams coach said. Sean McVay said.
“It’s one thing to absorb it, it’s a totally different thing to be able to bring it to life when the enemy has a say,” McVay said. “It was impressive. I think when you look at what he’s done and who he is, I think it’s probably more on par with what we expect from Baker than the outlier when you look at the totality of everything he’s done.”
Mayfield, 30, has thrown 17 touchdowns with three interceptions this season for the Buccaneers (6-4), who lead the NFC South.
The matchup pits Mayfield, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft, against Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, the No. 1 pick in 2009.
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“His ability to come in and play really well in a shortened time frame was really impressive,” Stafford said, adding, “He went through a lot and came out the other side playing as well as anyone.”
The Rams are coming off a 21-19 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, a win that extended their winning streak to five games and gave them sole possession of first place in the NFC West.
Stafford has thrown for a league-leading 27 touchdowns, with just two interceptions. Davante Adams has the 10 best touchdowns in the league.
The Rams will be without three veteran starters – tight end Tyler Higbee, right tackle Rob Havenstein and safety Quentin Lake – who were placed on injured reserve this week.
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Key injuries
Rams: WR Xavier Smith (concussion, questionable).
Buccaneers: RB Bucky Irving (shoulder/foot, outside); G Ben Bredeson (hamstring, out); CB Jamel Dean (plugged in, out); OLB Hassan Reddick (ankle/knee, out); WR Chris Godwin Jr. (questionable).
How to watch the Rams vs. Buccaneers
The Rams (8-2) and Buccaneers (6-4) will play Sunday at 5:20 p.m. PST at SoFi Stadium. The game will be broadcast nationally on NBC and Universo and will be broadcast on Peacock. In Southern California, fans can tune in to the game at 7:10 AM, 93.1 FM and 1:30 PM (Spanish).
Betting Lines and Odds for Rams vs. Buccaneers
Who will the Rams win against the Buccaneers?
Gary Klein’s choice: Mayfield will be relentless and the Rams will feel the absences of Higbee, Havenstein and Lake. But the Rams’ firepower on offense and defense will help them extend their winning streak to six games. Rams 27, buccaneers 20
This story was originally published in Los Angeles Times.
