The NFC wild-card weekend is upon us, and fans are buzzing with excitement! On Sunday night, the No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers will take on the No. 6 Washington Commanders in a matchup that promises to be thrilling. This game marks Washington’s first playoff appearance since 2020, while Tampa Bay is making its fourth consecutive trip to the postseason.
A history of rivalry: Baker Mayfield and Kliff Kingsbury
At the center of this intriguing matchup are two prominent figures: Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield and Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. While they won’t be directly facing off on the field, their history adds an extra layer of drama to the game. Their relationship dates back to Mayfield’s college days, and it’s filled with ups and downs that have shaped both their careers.
Mayfield’s journey began at Texas Tech, where he walked on in 2013. That year, Kingsbury was entering his first season as head coach, bringing a wave of optimism to the program. Mayfield quickly climbed the depth chart and was named the starter, leading the Red Raiders to a 5-0 start. His early success saw him throwing for 1,488 yards, with eight touchdowns and five interceptions. However, his momentum came to a halt when he suffered a knee injury during his fifth start against Kansas.
The turning point: A knee injury and a shift in dynamics
With Mayfield sidelined, Kingsbury turned to backup Davis Webb, who maintained the team’s undefeated streak until November. When Mayfield returned for the last three games of the season, he struggled, throwing four interceptions as the team ended the year on a three-game losing streak. In a surprising move, Kingsbury opted to start Webb in the bowl game against Arizona State, which the Red Raiders won, 37-23. Webb’s performance earned him the Holiday Bowl MVP Award, but it also sowed the seeds of discontent between him and Mayfield.
This pivotal moment marked the beginning of the tension between the two. Mayfield felt sidelined and confused about his role after his injury, leading him to ultimately transfer to Oklahoma in December 2013.
Why did Mayfield leave Texas Tech?
In interviews after his transfer, Mayfield expressed his frustrations with Kingsbury. He revealed that after his injury, there was no communication from Kingsbury, leaving him in the dark about his future. “When I got hurt, there was no communication between me and my coach,” Mayfield stated. This lack of communication and the decision not to offer him a scholarship for the upcoming spring semester were significant factors in his decision to leave.
Mayfield’s transfer was complicated by NCAA and Big 12 rules at the time, which required him to sit out a season and lose a year of eligibility. However, after some back-and-forth, Texas Tech eventually relented, allowing Mayfield to receive a scholarship while he sat out the 2014 season at Oklahoma.
Mayfield’s rise at Oklahoma
Once at Oklahoma, Mayfield’s career took off like a rocket. He started three seasons for the Sooners, leading them to three consecutive double-digit win seasons and Big 12 titles. His crowning achievement came in 2017 when he won the prestigious Heisman Trophy and led Oklahoma to the College Football Playoff, where they narrowly fell to Georgia in double overtime.
Meanwhile, Kingsbury moved on from Texas Tech, eventually coaching the likes of Patrick Mahomes at the university. The two faced off in college twice, with Oklahoma winning both encounters. In 2016, the Sooners triumphed 66-59, setting an all-time Division I single-game yardage record. The following year, Oklahoma won again, 49-27, with Mayfield throwing for five touchdowns.
Revisiting the past: What have they said in the NFL?
Fast forward to the NFL, and both Mayfield and Kingsbury appear to have put their past behind them. They faced each other in 2019 when the Cleveland Browns played the Arizona Cardinals. Reflecting on their history, Kingsbury remarked, “Obviously, I’d like to have that gone differently and handled things differently. You live and you learn, and I’m just glad we’re in a good place now.”
Mayfield echoed those sentiments, stating that time and conversation had helped mend their relationship. “What happened happened, and we’ve moved forward,” he said, emphasizing that any past friction was now water under the bridge.
The upcoming wild-card showdown
As the Bucs and Commanders prepare for their wild-card showdown, the stakes couldn’t be higher. This matchup marks the second time these two teams have met this season, with Tampa Bay emerging victorious in Week 1, 37-20. Mayfield had an impressive outing, throwing for 289 yards and four touchdowns.
Entering this playoff game, the Bucs are favored by three points, with ESPN’s Football Power Index giving them a 58.3% chance of winning. Fans are eager to see how Mayfield and Kingsbury’s intertwined past will play out on the field as they lead their respective teams into battle.
With the excitement building, one has to wonder: Will history repeat itself, or will the Commanders pull off an upset? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure—this wild-card weekend is set to deliver unforgettable moments!
