Parlay or Plank: It’s Time To Board The Baker Train

#VictoryMonday is upon us, and this week’s edition of “Parlay or Plank” is for those still in need of some hard truth after the Bucs defeated the Vikings 20-17 in Minnesota.

It is no secret that the Bucs offense started slow and that it was the defense that allowed Baker Mayfield and the offense to garner game-time chemistry. In turn, it paid off, beginning with two touchdowns, one before the end of the first half and again to open the second. Mayfield’s stats (21/34 for 173 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INT) may not jump the stat sheet to those number watchers, but the goose-egg in the turnover column should give fans enough hope that their quarterback has the potential to lead his team.

Although the Bucs defense opened with two turnovers in the first quarter, they did wind up allowing Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins to connect on a 39-yard touchdown pass to running back Jordan Addison on 3rd-and-11. Overall, the defense walked away with 2 fumble recoveries, an interception, along with 2 sacks.

With both sides showing the good and the bad, what ultimately is important is the end result being the win and hoping for the momentum to carry to next week’s home opener versus the Chicago Bears, who are looking to rebound from their 38-20 loss to Divisional rival Green Bay Packers. If Mayfield can show positive consistency in his play, Bucs fans will have no choice but to board the “Baker Train” or “Walk The Plank“.