The mind games are already underway at Ford Field after Detroit Lions safety CJ Gardner-Johnson intercepted Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield on Sunday.
In the first quarter, Mayfield tried to throw the ball to top target Mike Evans, but the ball left the veteran receiver's hands and a chip drill ensued with the Lions defender behind him.
Gardner-Johnson eventually picked up the slanted ball and began running it back, looking for better field position for the Lions' offense. But when he went out of bounds, he saw Mayfield right next to him.
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Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drops to make a pass against the Lions during an NFC divisional playoff game at Ford Field in Detroit, Jan. 21, 2024. (Gregory Shams/Getty Images)
So Gardner-Johnson decided to give the ball back to Mayfield and tried to say something before heading back to the sideline.
Mayfield walked towards the bench with a frown on his face, annoyed by what had just happened.
Well, here's the backstory. Gardner-Johnson and Mayfield have been going back and forth in the week leading up to this NFC divisional matchup.
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Gardner-Johnson took a subtle shot at Mayfield while talking about the Buccaneers' offense.
“This group is probably one of the best groups we've played against all year, other than the group in Tampa,” he told the Detroit Free Press. “When you give a group in Tampa a good quarterback, it’s a great group.”
Mayfield fired back at Gardner-Johnson, pointing out the players' inaccuracies in the Bucs' offense.
CJ Gardner-Johnson of the Lions returns an interception during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field in Detroit on January 21, 2024. (Nick Antaya/Getty Images)
“He mentioned Russell Gage, so I don't think he was really watching film,” Mayfield explained via ESPN. “We love Russell, but he hasn't played a snap for us all year.”
There was also the fact that Mayfield led the Bucs to this spot on Sunday after defeating the reigning NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles 32-9 at home last week.
But he didn't mention it. Instead, Mayfield took the high road.
“I'm sure he's done with the preseason stuff that the media was talking about,” Mayfield said. “I'm looking forward to seeing him. I think he's a really good player. He's been that way for a long time. He's been an influential guy on every team he's ever been on. So he's a really good player. I'm a player, but yeah…I've just arrived.'' To study film a little bit more. ”
Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up for the NFC divisional playoff game against the Lions on January 21, 2024 in Detroit. (Nick Antaya/Getty Images)
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However, if you can't back up your own play, the royal road is meaningless. Gardner-Johnson has an advantage by drafting Mayfield, but if the Bucks want to see them upset other teams this postseason, Mayfield will also need to be addressed.
