Baker Mayfield saves the day in Buccaneers’ season opener

Of course he did.

Former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield on Sunday led his Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 23-20 season-opening win against the Atlanta Falcons in an early NFC South matchup thanks to a game-winning touchdown pass with less than a minute left.

Baker Mayfield connects with Emeka Egbuka for game-winner against Falcons

Down 20-17 with 2:17 left, the Bucs took over on their own 37-yard line before Mayfield marched them down. Mayfield completed three passes before hitting rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka for a 25-yard TD with 59 seconds left in Egbuka’s NFL debut.

That didn’t seal the deal, though, after the PAT was missed. The Falcons quickly got all the way down to Tampa’s 26-yard line, then Mayfield and the Bucs got some outside help when Younghoe Koo missed the 44-yard attempt that would have tied the game with six seconds left.

Mayfield finished the season opener, starting his third season with the Bucs, with 167 yards and three TDs on 17-of-32 passing. He also led the Bucs in rushing with 39 yards on just five carries.

This was a must-watch game for Sooner Nation between fan-favorite Mayfield and fellow Sooner Billy Bowman Jr. starting at nickel back in his NFL debut on the other side for the Falcons. Bowman tied for the team-high in tackles with six and was also part of sacking Mayfield.

Mayfield also connected with former OU star Sterling Shepard three times for 39 yards.

The Bucs will play the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football next week, while the Falcons travel to the Minnesota Vikings for Sunday Night Football.

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