Imagine a football game so intense, it ends with a last-second field goal, capping off a wild 38-35 victory. That’s exactly what happened when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers clashed with the Seattle Seahawks on October 5, 2025, in a matchup that had fans on the edge of their seats until the very end. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was it Sam Darnold’s costly interception that sealed the Seahawks’ fate, or was it Baker Mayfield’s clutch performance that stole the show? Let’s dive in.
In the final minute, with the game tied at 35, Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David made a game-changing play. As teammate Antoine Winfield Jr. pressured Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, a deflection off defensive end Logan Hall’s helmet landed perfectly in David’s hands with just 58 seconds left. This interception set the stage for kicker Chase McLaughlin to nail a 39-yard field goal as time expired, securing the Bucs’ thrilling win. David’s instincts were spot-on: ‘Got a good read, and was able to make it to a good spot to read the quarterback,’ he said. ‘When I saw the ball coming in the air, I had to have it.’
But let’s rewind a bit. Mayfield had just tied the game with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Sterling Shepard with 1:08 remaining, leaving Darnold and the Seahawks with a chance to respond. While Darnold played a stellar game—throwing for 341 yards and four touchdowns—his lone interception proved to be the difference. ‘I got to protect the football in that situation and can’t give them a short field to put the game away like that,’ Darnold admitted. And this is the part most people miss: Despite the loss, Darnold’s performance was a testament to his revival after struggling with the teams that drafted him, much like Mayfield, who threw for 379 yards and two touchdowns with an impressive 87.9% completion rate.
Speaking of Mayfield, Tampa Bay’s quarterback was on fire, bouncing back from a subpar performance the previous week. ‘He was sharp,’ said Bucs coach Todd Bowles. ‘Baker doesn’t try to have two subpar games in a row. He was still (ticked) from last week.’ Mayfield’s precision was crucial, as the Bucs needed every successful throw to overcome a Seahawks team that had allowed the third-fewest points in the NFL entering the game. However, Seattle’s defense, missing key players like DeMarcus Lawrence, Julian Love, and Devon Witherspoon, struggled to contain Tampa Bay’s offense, which converted 7 of 11 third downs.
Here’s a bold take: This game wasn’t just about the quarterbacks; it was a showcase of young talent. Ohio State receivers Emeka Egbuka (Bucs) and Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seahawks) dominated, with Egbuka hauling in seven catches for 163 yards and a touchdown, while Smith-Njigba had eight receptions for 132 yards and a score. Mayfield even praised Egbuka, saying, ‘He’s well-rounded, and not just in football but in life. You just don’t see that often.’ Meanwhile, Seahawks tight end AJ Barner continued his breakout season, catching all seven passes thrown his way, including two for touchdowns.
Adding to the drama, McLaughlin, who went 3-for-3 on field goals, was battling an illness just a day before the game. ‘He probably needs to be ill more often,’ Bowles joked. ‘He did a heck of a job.’ Injuries also played a role, with Buccaneers running back Josh Williams and Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall and cornerback Riq Woolen all leaving the game early.
With this win, the Buccaneers became the first team in NFL history to secure four wins by three points or fewer in their first five games. ‘NFL is down to the wire a lot of the time,’ Egbuka noted. ‘So, you have to have someone at quarterback that has that capability, and Baker has that for sure.’ But here’s the question for you: Is Baker Mayfield’s clutch performance enough to solidify his comeback story, or is Sam Darnold’s lone mistake overshadowing an otherwise stellar game? Let us know in the comments!
Up next, the Buccaneers host the San Francisco 49ers, while the Seahawks visit the Jacksonville Jaguars. One thing’s for sure: after a game like this, both teams will be looking to make a statement.
