Baker Mayfield and Jayden Daniels are in line to battle in front of the whole country. The Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will walk in, but only one will walk out.
Some have picked Washington Commanders rookie Jayden Daniels to get his team out of the Wild Card round for the first time since 2005, per Pro Football Reference. Others expect Baker Mayfield to get it done.
Fans have given their vote on Daniels this season, picking him for the Pro Bowl over Baker Mayfield. However, this will be Mayfield’s perfect opportunity to quiet those who doubted him in the off-season. What does Shannon Sharpe think?
Shannon Sharpe takes sides
Speaking in a January 7 edition of “First Take,” NFL analyst Shannon Sharpe chose who he expected to win this weekend.
“Man, this is a tough one here. I’m going to go Baker for the simple fact, I think because he’s played in the playoffs before. He’s played really well in a playoff game before. And so I just trust [him], you know.
“Jayden Daniels is going to be offensive rookie of the year. … They’re a very good football team, very well coached. Dan Quinn is going to get some coach of the year consideration, although I say Kevin O’Connell probably should win that award,” he said.
“But with that being said, I just love the way Baker’s played what he showed me not just this year, but last year. Being in Tampa, he found a home.
“He found coaches who believe in him. He’s always been able to galvanize his teammates. His teammates have always loved him. And so that’s the great thing.
“I think I’m going to go with Baker for all those reasons because I love what he’s done over the last two years since he’s been in Tampa. He’s been in big games before. So I’m going to tell you, I’m going to give the nod to Baker,” he added.
Playoff experience is king. Those who have dealt with the pressure, heightened spotlight, and unpredictable travel schedule before inherently have a greater chance to advance over someone who does not.
Baker Mayfield is better now than Tom Brady was in his final season
The Buccaneers quarterback’s career doesn’t hold a candle to Tom Brady overall, but Mayfield’s 2024 year has been better than what Brady did in his last season. In 2022, Brady threw for 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions. This season, Mayfield has thrown for 41 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.
Mayfield also has a better 2024 completion percentage than Brady in 2022. He also has won two more games. If Mayfield can beat Daniels in the playoffs, he also will have won a playoff game, which is something Brady failed to do in his final season.
Keep in mind, Brady had a younger Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, which Mayfield did not. Godwin hasn’t been on the field for most of the season as well. Despite this, Mayfield has found a way to get it done. As such, the one-time kicked aside Cleveland Browns quarterback has plenty of reasons on his side to slam the door shut on Daniels. Will he live up to it in his second playoff appearance with the Buccaneers?
