The Monday Night Football showdown between the Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers brought plenty of excitement in Week 7 of the 2024 NFL season. However, it also delivered moments of frustration, particularly for Baker Mayfield. After starting the game strong with an early touchdown pass, things quickly went south for the Buccaneers’ quarterback, and Peyton Manning’s reaction during the live ManningCast broadcast summed up what many were feeling.
A Strong Start That Quickly Derailed
Coming into the game, Baker Mayfield was leading the league in touchdown passes, and he continued that momentum early on by tossing yet another touchdown in the Buccaneers’ first drive. It was the kind of start that had Tampa Bay fans feeling hopeful about the rest of the game.
But football has a way of flipping the script fast. On Tampa Bay’s second drive, a holding penalty negated what would have been another touchdown. The Buccaneers settled for a field goal, and that was when Mayfield’s night took a turn for the worse.
On the team’s third possession, Mayfield tried to force a throw into the end zone, and Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey was ready. Peyton Manning, watching the game on the ManningCast, could barely contain himself, pleading with Mayfield to get rid of the ball. As if trying to will a better outcome, Peyton was heard saying, “Throw it away. Throw it away. Throw it away,” just moments before Mayfield threw the ill-advised pass.
And just like that, the Ravens had their first interception of the night.
Peyton and Eli Manning React to the Chaos
The Manning brothers’ Monday Night Football broadcast has become a fan favorite, and for good reason. Their unfiltered commentary, filled with humor and insights, often captures the emotions fans are experiencing at home. This time, as Baker Mayfield unraveled in real time, Peyton Manning’s frustration was palpable.
The former Colts and Broncos quarterback is known for his high football IQ, and seeing Mayfield make a decision that could have been avoided was tough for him. His repeated “Throw it away” chant was followed by an exasperated, “Oh no, Baker!” from Eli Manning after the interception was made. It was a moment that quickly went viral, as many fans shared in the disappointment of watching Mayfield’s promising start slip away.
But that wasn’t the end of Mayfield’s troubles. After Baltimore took a 14-10 lead, he threw another interception—again to Marlon Humphrey. This time, the Ravens’ cornerback picked off Mayfield in what looked like a near triple-coverage situation. The momentum had firmly shifted in favor of Baltimore, and Mayfield’s decision-making was now in serious question.
Mayfield’s Rollercoaster Season
Despite leading the league in touchdown passes, Mayfield has struggled with consistency, and Monday night was another example of that. Coming into the game, he had already thrown five interceptions. By the time the final whistle blew against the Ravens, that number had ballooned to seven, putting him just behind Patrick Mahomes, Jordan Love, and Gardner Minshew for the most in the league.
Here’s a quick breakdown of Mayfield’s stats before and after the game:
| Category | Before Week 7 | After Week 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Touchdown Passes | League Leader | Still Leading |
| Interceptions | 5 | 7 |
| Notable QB Comparison | Mahomes: 6 INTs | Mayfield: 7 INTs |
While Mayfield remains one of the league’s top touchdown throwers, his turnover problem has raised concerns. The two interceptions he threw against the Ravens were not just costly in terms of points, but they also highlighted an ongoing issue with forcing the ball into dangerous situations. The Buccaneers have relied on Mayfield’s big-play ability this season, but turnovers like these are making it harder for the team to stay competitive in key games.
What’s Next for Mayfield and the Buccaneers?
Mayfield’s inconsistency has left the Buccaneers in a tough spot. At his best, he can sling the ball with the best of them, as his touchdown totals prove. But when he makes decisions like the ones that led to Monday night’s interceptions, it puts Tampa Bay’s playoff hopes at risk.
The team will be looking to regroup after this tough loss. Head coach Todd Bowles will no doubt address Mayfield’s turnover issues in practice this week, especially with critical matchups ahead. If Mayfield can clean up the mental mistakes and reduce the interceptions, the Buccaneers can still make a playoff push. However, if he continues to struggle with ball security, the season could quickly slip away.
The ManningCast captured the highs and lows of this game perfectly. Peyton Manning’s frustration echoed what many NFL fans feel watching Baker Mayfield: there’s undeniable talent, but it’s overshadowed by questionable decision-making in high-pressure moments.
