Baker Mayfield dodges consequences with what many call a pathetic NFL punishment

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3) had a great start to the season with two wins and an elite offense led by Baker Mayfield capable of scoring against anyone but the Denver Broncos. Now, with three losses in their last five games, the Bucs face even greater adversity for the rest of the season as they will be without Chris Godwin, who was a WR1 in many fantasy leagues until his injury, and the best Buccaneer of all time, Mike Evans, will not play this Sunday against Atlanta Falcons, Tampa's most dangerous divisional rival.

Baker Mayfield's final verdict on Sunday

To make matters worse for Tampa fans, the first overall pick in the 2018 Draft, Baker Mayfield, was spotted on the sidelines during the game using ZYNs, nicotine pouches that have become very common in society in recent years. The NFL prohibits the use of tabacco-related products on the field and during interviews, for image mainly. ESPN's Buccaneers reporter Jenna Laine has clarified whether Baker will be able to play or if he will be suspended for Sunday's game. Are you ready, Bucs fans?

They were spared any more pain after a disastrous week in the news. Jenna also said that Mayfield would receive a letter reminding him not to use the product on the sidelines and that he could be fined if it happened again. Frankly, it would be a bit much for him to be suspended for this, and who can confirm that it was ZYN's? After all, when he did it, the game was still within Tampa's grasp, and the end result was a loss, so there was no need for Baltimore, the winning team, to investigate further but after this the league surely notify all teams about this type of situations.

Games Could Define Buccaneers' Season Before Bye Week

Now the Buccaneers have three important games to play before their bye week. First of all, it's worth mentioning that Godwin's injury is unfortunate not only because of the injury itself, but because of the way it happened, in garbage time of a game that was out of reach. I really don't understand it; I know these athletes are always competing and trying to win, but unfortunately it was the worst possible outcome. The Buccaneers host the Atlanta Falcons, a team that beat them in a thrilling overtime game a few weeks ago, in which the Buccaneers failed to capitalise on a fourth-quarter lead.

The Falcons and Buccaneers are the favourites to win the NFC South due to injuries to the Saints and well the Panthers, and as things stand it looks like only the division winner will make the playoffs in the tough NFC, so it's worth noting the importance of this game. They then travel to Kansas to take on the Chiefs; hopefully Mike Evans will be back for this rematch of the last Super Bowl, won by Tom Brady against Patrick Mahomes. Then they host the San Francisco 49ers, who might have Christian McCaffrey back by then, so this season could go from bad to worse for the Buccaneers.