The 3 Fumbles Baker Mayfield Had Tell You Everything, and Week 2 Is a Revenge Bomb

Baker Mayfield’s Week 1 outing against Cincinnati was rough, period. Those three fumbles? Oof. But don’t let that dud performance fool you: Week 2 is here, and it’s setting up for a serious rebound, especially with his old team, Cleveland, standing across the line.

Early Season Jitters and Key Injuries

Alright, Week 2 is here, and everyone’s looking at those Week 1 performances ready to hit the panic button. Listen, don’t rush to judgment after one game. Relax. You should still feel confident in studs like Ja’Marr Chase, Colston Loveland, and Jaylen Waddle, assuming they’re healthy. They’re going to perform at a high level for most of the season.

But there are real concerns brewing elsewhere. Drake Maye’s situation is tough with A.J. Brown (ankle) out for at least the next four games. And Justin Herbert might be without Ladd McConkey (ribs) in Week 2. That’s a huge blow. Over in Atlanta, you gotta hope the Falcons bench Cooper Rush. Michael Penix Jr. (knee) or Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) would be a massive boost for Drake London and Kyle Pitts. If Rush starts again against Carolina, downgrade those guys, for sure. Bad games happen, even to your stars, but injuries just sting. Week 2 is your shot to tweak that lineup, whether it’s the waiver wire or a savvy trade. It’s a long season, an 0-2 start won’t sink you.

Mayfield’s Shot at Redemption Against Cleveland

Now, let’s talk Baker. His Week 1 against Cincinnati was a stat sheet mixed bag: 23-of-28 passing for 216 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions. He added 30 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown, which was nice, but those *three fumbles* are what people remember. His year-to-date stats reflect that rough start: 216 pass yards, 30 rush yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, averaging just 11.6 fantasy points per game.

But get this: Week 2 is a revenge game against Cleveland. You know he’s got that extra fire. The matchup looks favorable, with the Bucs currently favored by 8.5 points and an over/under of 41.5. Plus, Cleveland’s defense ranks 29th against opposing quarterbacks. Mayfield is projected for 21.6 points and is ranked the 10th best QB for the week. He *should* rebound here. This is his chance to make a statement.

Week 2 is game on, so get those adjustments locked in. We’re all hoping your best players deliver, especially if Week 1 was a dud. But seriously, Baker’s Week 2 performance against Cleveland? That’s the one to watch.

This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.

Originally reported by CBS Sports.