Connect with us

Sports

Buccaneers’ Playoff Hopes Dashed: Baker Mayfield Takes Responsibility for Costly Errors

Published

on

TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – In a critical playoff matchup, quarterback Baker Mayfield took center stage both on the field and at the postgame press conference. Despite flashes of brilliance this season, the Buccaneers’ season ended in disappointment after a loss to the Washington Commanders. Mayfield, known for his grit and accountability, didn’t shy away from taking ownership of the team’s missed opportunities.

“It comes back to me just timing it up correctly,” said Mayfield, referring to a fumble on a jet sweep play deep in their own territory. “The timing of it, not great. Being backed up, defense had just done a hell of a job getting us the ball. Another fourth-down stop, and, yeah, unfortunate, but that falls on me.”

The Buccaneers struggled offensively, managing only seven possessions during the game. Penalties and missed third-down conversions plagued the first half, limiting the team’s ability to establish a rhythm. “In the second quarter, the penalties didn’t help us out, getting into longer yardage situations. We weren’t helping ourselves out,” Mayfield added.

Despite these challenges, the Bucs’ defense kept the team in the game with several key stops, including a crucial fourth-down stand. Offensively, the team capitalized briefly with a two-minute drill to tie the game at halftime, but inconsistency returned in the second half.

Mayfield admitted that the offense’s inability to capitalize on defensive efforts proved costly: “Not doing all the little things right will always come back to beat you in playoff mode because you’re always playing a good team in the playoffs, and they’re going to capitalize. They did that.”

One of the game’s turning points came late when a mistimed snap on second-and-one at the goal line resulted in another missed opportunity. “We were trying to get them to jump offsides. I think Graham [Barton] thought they did or were in the neutral zone,” explained Mayfield. The miscommunication underscored the team’s lack of execution in high-pressure moments.

Reflecting on the season as a whole, Mayfield acknowledged both the disappointment and the growth the team experienced. “It’s disappointing overall because I believe in this team,” he said. “But looking back, you try to take a step back and see the big picture. This group fought. A lot of young guys stepped up into huge roles. That should build confidence for them moving forward.”

As the Buccaneers look ahead, the team faces significant decisions in the offseason, including roster adjustments and potential coaching changes. Mayfield, known for his competitive fire, will likely use this season as fuel for improvement.


What’s Next for Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers?

  1. Rebuilding Offensive Cohesion: Improving execution in critical moments will be a primary focus.
  2. Roster Changes: Key players stepping into larger roles signal a potential shift in team dynamics.
  3. Coaching Adjustments: Evaluations will determine how the team can maximize talent moving forward.
  4. Mayfield’s Leadership: As a veteran, Baker Mayfield’s offseason preparation will set the tone for 2025.
  5. Redemption Ahead: With playoff lessons learned, the Buccaneers aim to come back stronger next season.

Sports

Super Bowl Opening Night Kicks Off in New Orleans as Chiefs & Eagles Gear Up for the Big Game

Published

on

NEW ORLEANS, La. (FNN SPORTS) – Super Bowl week officially kicked off Monday night as the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles took center stage at Super Bowl Opening Night in New Orleans. Florida National News sports team was on-site at the Superdome, capturing all the excitement and exclusive player insights.

A standout moment from the night featured Jimmy Kimmel Live! sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez, who had Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes sign a pillow with Mahomes’ own face on it, adding a fun twist to the media frenzy.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts answers media questions during Super Bowl Opening Night on Monday, February 3, 2025, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. (Photo: Florida National News / J. Willie David III)

FloridaNationalNews.com conducted interviews with players and coaches from both teams, with quarterbacks sharing their thoughts on the highly anticipated Super Bowl 59 matchup.

With Opening Night wrapped up, teams have returned to their bases to continue preparation. The next major media event arrives Thursday with the Super Bowl pregame and halftime show press conference. Fans can expect appearances from headliner Kendrick Lamar, along with Jon Batiste, Trombone Shorty, Lauren Daigle, and Ledisi, as they gear up for an electrifying halftime performance.

________________________________________________________________

J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
sports@FloridaNationalNews.com

Continue Reading

Sports

A Lim Kim Wins 2025 LPGA Season Opener Over Nelly Korda; Joe Pavelski Takes Celebrity Title

Published

on

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The 2024 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions brought together 32 of the LPGA’s top players and a star-studded lineup of celebrities at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club. The event featured two prize purses: a $2 million purse for LPGA professionals and a $500,000 purse for celebrities.

 

A Lim Kim Claims Victory with Dominant Performance

A Lim Kim, the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open champion, secured a two-stroke victory over World No. 1 Nelly Korda, earning her second career LPGA title and taking home a $300,000 winner’s prize.

  • Kim shot a final-round 67 (-5), sinking a nearly 20-foot birdie putt on No. 18 to seal the win.
  • She led the field in birdies (24) and was the only player to shoot all four rounds in the 60s (65-69-67-67).
  • Kim also excelled in par-5 scoring, a key factor in both this victory and her 2024 LOTTE Championship win.
  • Her 72-hole score of 268 tied her career-low, matching her performance at the 2022 CPKC Women’s Open.
  • This marks Kim’s second wire-to-wire win, making her the first player since Hyo Joo Kim (2023) to win wire-to-wire without ties.
  • She also secured victory in her first tournament with new caddie Bruce Lowe.

Nelly Korda Finishes Runner-Up

World No. 1 Nelly Korda mounted a strong challenge with a final-round 65 (-7), but ultimately fell two strokes short.

  • Korda recorded nine birdies and two bogeys on Sunday.
  • She tied Kim for most birdies in the tournament (24).
  • With this result, she notched her best career finish at the HGVTOC and fifth top-4 finish at the event.

Other Notable Finishes

  • Linn Grant (-3, 69) finished in solo third, her best LPGA finish since the 2024 Dana Open.
  • Minjee Lee shot a career-low 10-under 62 on Sunday, moving from T12 to T4.
  • Defending champion Lydia Ko (-13) finished solo sixth after recovering from three early bogeys.

Joe Pavelski Wins Celebrity Division

Recently retired NHL All-Star and Olympian Joe Pavelski made a statement in his HGVTOC debut, winning the celebrity division with 145 points under the Modified Stableford format.

  • Pavelski edged out 2024 champion Jeff McNeil by five points to claim the $100,000 first-place prize.
  • Asterisk Talley, 15, won the amateur field with 149 points, playing from the same tees as LPGA professionals.

Looking Ahead

With a commanding wire-to-wire performance, A Lim Kim has established herself as a force to watch in 2024. Nelly Korda, Linn Grant, and Minjee Lee will look to build on their performances as the LPGA season continues.


J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
sports@FloridaNationalNews.com

 

Continue Reading

Sports

Osceola Magic Extend Winning Streak to Four with 113-104 Victory Over Delaware Blue Coats

Published

on

WILMINGTON, Del. (FNN SPORTS) – The Osceola Magic (7-6) powered past the Delaware Blue Coats (6-10) with a 113-104 victory on Sunday afternoon, extending their winning streak to four games. A dominant Colin Castleton led the charge with 22 points and 13 rebounds, delivering an ultra-efficient performance by shooting 10-of-12 from the field.

Magic’s Defense Stifles Delaware’s Offense

Despite Jeff Dowtin Jr. leading the Blue Coats in scoring with 21 points, the Magic’s relentless defense held him to an inefficient 7-of-24 shooting from the field. Jarron Cumberland added 19 points for Delaware, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Osceola’s second-half surge.

Balanced Scoring Fuels Magic’s Win

Alongside Castleton’s stellar performance, Mac McClung stepped up in the starting lineup, contributing 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-6 from three-point range.

The Magic’s bench played a pivotal role in the victory, with Jarrett Culver delivering 17 points on an impressive 70% shooting. The Texas Tech standout also recorded six rebounds and three steals, providing a crucial spark off the bench.

What’s Next for Osceola Magic?

The Magic will face the Blue Coats again on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at Chase Fieldhouse. Tipoff is set for 11 a.m. ET and will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Osceola will then return to Kissimmee on Sunday, Feb. 9, for a home game against the Grand Rapids Gold at 3 p.m. ET, airing on FanDuel Sports Network Florida and NBA TV.

Black History Month Celebration

The Magic will host a special Black History Month Celebration, presented by Publix, on Monday, Feb. 10, against the Grand Rapids Gold. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET, with the game airing on FanDuel Sports Network Sun and NBAGLeague.com. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a replica Black History Month Magic jersey.

 

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement Ticket Time Machine ad
Advertisement Orlando Regional REALTOR Association logo
Advertisement Parts Pass App
Advertisement Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando
Advertisement
Advertisement African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida
Advertisement FNN News en Español
Advertisement Indian American Chamber of Commerce logo
Advertisement Florida Sports Channel

FNN Newsletter

Trending