Baker, Baker touchdown maker.

From Browns to Panthers.

Onto Rams, now Bucs.

With any luck ..

Baker, may be ..

This year’s choice for M-V-P!!

Yes, it’s only week 10. Yet, Baker Mayfield is playing as well as any quarterback in football.

You can’t argue with the numbers.

Baker is hitting 71% of his passes. His 23 touchdown passes are only one behind the leaders Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson. His 2,389 yards place him among the NFL’s top five. And what’s truly impressive, is that Baker has had to do this without Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and last week Jalen McMillan.

Let’s see another NFL quarterback roll up big numbers throwing to Cade Otton and Trey Palmer.

The Buccaneers stand 4-5. In four of their five losses, Baker has led them to at least 24 points, yet his defense has been among the NFL’s worst. The Bucs are giving up 387 yards and 27 points per game, both among the poorest in pro football.

This week, Baker gets a “pound your chest”-type of showdown.

The Buccaneers entertain San Francisco. Quarterback Brock Purdy has history with the Buccaneers. He was a third-string rookie that was forced to make his pro debut against Tom Brady and company. Purdy hit 16 of 21 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-7 victory. It was the most humiliating loss for Brady as a Buccaneer. And Purdy gave notice he could be an NFL-caliber quarterback.

The Niners are 4-and-4. They have also struggled with injuries. Purdy has looked to find his lane this season. Sound familiar?? Kirk Cousins, Lamar Jackson and last week Patrick Mahomes all found their rhythm against this Buccaneer defense and Purdy is ready to jump aboard that same train.

A Buccaneer win over San Francisco will raise eyebrows.

Can Baker make up for the 30th-ranked defense in the NFL? Baker has shown he can do just about anything with the Bucs’ new offensive boss Liam Coen.  Yet overcoming Todd Bowles and his defense is thankless work for anybody.

Written by AL KECK