The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still hoping to make the playoffs. Ahead of Saturday’s showdown, there is a clear message for quarterback Baker Mayfield.

The playoffs are no longer solely in the hands of Baker Mayfield. Of course, the quarterback will be crucial when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers face the Carolina Panthers in a must-win showdown on Saturday. At the same time, the Bucs also need the New Orleans Saints to beat the Atlanta Falcons to clinch the NFC South title and a spot in the postseason. But one thing is clear: In the season finale, the Buccaneers need a playmaker who can finally deliver again. Four consecutive losses were also down to Mayfield, who threw at least one interception in every game. When that happened this season, it always resulted in a loss – eight times.

That’s why head coach Todd Bowles made a clear statement about turnovers.

“Those are mistakes,” Bowles said. “We have to get better at the quarterback position, we have to get better at play calling, and we have to block better overall.”

NFL: What is the mood like among the Buccaneers?

Despite the team’s slump this season after a strong start, the mood among the Buccaneers is positive, according to Bowles. “Winning in this league is hard. In the locker room, in the entire building, there is no negativity from our perspective,” he said. “There are mistakes and things we need to clean up. There is confidence, there is belief. We need to play harder, we need to play significantly better – and we also need to coach significantly better.”