Mayfield: Bucs in 'playoff mode' with 2 games remaining

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield understands there's little room for error as the team attempts to earn a berth in the postseason for a fifth straight year.

The Buccaneers suffered a 26-24 defeat to the Dallas Cowboys last weekend and missed out on an opportunity to control their playoff fate. The result also saw their four-game win streak come to an end.

"We're in playoff mode," Mayfield said Tuesday, according to Pewter Report's Adam Silvon. "We got to take care of business or else we have no shot. This one, you got to take it on the chin. Short week, Christmas week, and we got to focus on Carolina and figure out a way to win."

Mayfield added: "Leaders got to step up. Young guys got to move on, learn from this, and it's on to Carolina."

Tampa Bay enters this week with an identical 8-7 mark as the Atlanta Falcons. With two games left in the regular season, Atlanta controls its destiny, owning a tiebreaker after winning both matchups against the Bucs.

Mayfield passed for 303 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception against the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football while completing 72% of his passes. The Bucs had an opportunity to drive the field for the game-winning score, but a fumble by Rachaad White with under two minutes remaining sealed their fate.

"I didn't learn anything new about the fight that we have," Mayfield said. "It's never been a question. For me, it's a next-man-up mentality. Overall, it's about the ball. Everybody needs to learn that. It's obvious, I know. Even when you have two hands on it, got to be overprotective with it, and it starts with me, too."

Tampa Bay will host the Carolina Panthers in a rematch that comes just a few weeks after defeating them 26-23 in overtime. The Bucs close out the regular season with a home matchup against the New Orleans Saints on Jan. 5.