Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield was quite unhappy with the officiating in their 24-9 loss against the Detroit Lions on Monday. There were several instances in the game that led to Mayfield airing his frustration while talking to reporters.
Let’s take a look at eight of those calls:
1. Refs Miss Holding Call On Jahmyr Gibbs Touchdown
Gibbs rushed up for two touchdowns in the game. In one of those scoring drive, Tampa Bay’s defense was held up by a Lions offensive line to give Gibbs a free path to rush for the score.
Refs calling every ticky tack hand on the Bucs and their defense but gonna ignore the blatant hold by the Lions right in front of them on the Gibbs TD pic.twitter.com/hPmQS2Ff3P
— JB Barry (@FantasyCoachJB) October 21, 2025
2. “Double Review” Reversal On Fourth-Down Catch by TE Cade Otton
One of the most controversial plays of the night came when Baker Mayfield completed a 4-yard pass to Cade Otton on 4th-and-4 that initially looked like a first down. Detroit challenges the catch (not the spot), but after review the play is overturned, saying the spot is ruled short of the marker. Mayfield expressed disappointment since Detroit reviewed it for the catch.
“…also still pretty damn confused about the double review,” said Mayfield.
How did the refs overturn this Bucs are getting fleeced live on national television #Bucs #Lions pic.twitter.com/FSYvFfaJEW
— Alex Monaco (@Alex__Monaco) October 21, 2025
3. Missed Defensive Holding On 3rd Down
Mayfield was also not happy regarding a third down defensive holding. On a critical third down, a Lions catcher seems to be holding Mike Evans going for the catch.
“A third down defensive holding call that wasn’t called,” Mayfield said.
Can this be sent to the refs. Thank you refs and whoever the fuck this dirty corner is. pic.twitter.com/dvL7IInzIB
— Bucs (@020buc) October 21, 2025
4. Questionable Legal Contact Holding Past the Line of Scrimmage
During one of the plays when the Lions’ offense was on the field, a Bucs defender was called out for illegal contact past the line of scrimmage. As shown in the video, as the Lions receiver is going for his run route, he gets taken down by a defender but was it intentional is the question here.
Mayfield expressed unhappiness about this call as well as he said:
“Some plays could have had illegal contact down field and some holding calls…”
Bucs called for illegal contact on this 3rd down play and it gives the Lions an automatic 1st down pic.twitter.com/2HKWffpzZx
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) October 21, 2025
5. Apparent Tripping of Mayfield Which Was Ruled a Sack
During one of the plays, one of the Lions defensive lineman made it to Baker Mayfield, leading to a sack. Later on a closer look, it was found out that the Bucs quarterback went down not because of the tackle but rather due to getting tripped off the Lions’ defender’s leg. However, the officials ruled it as a sack.
Missed tripping call on the Lions. pic.twitter.com/2hyxPKA4Q3
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) October 21, 2025
It’s not only Baker Mayfield but several analysts and fans have also called out officials for missed calls and inconsistent video replay procedure leading to an outcry from the quarterback.
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