Bucs' Baker Mayfield: 'Feel Like My Heart Just Got Ripped Out' by Lions Playoff Loss

Baker Mayfield was heartbroken after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell short in the divisional round of the NFL Playoffs against the Detroit Lions.

The quarterback didn't stray away from describing the feeling of the 31-23 loss on Sunday.

"It sucks," Mayfield said, per NFL Network's Sara Walsh. "I feel like my heart just got ripped out."

Mayfield put together a strong performance on Sunday with 349 passing yards and three touchdowns, but a pair of costly interceptions hurt the Buccaneers' chances and the Lions pulled out a win.

While they didn't end the season how they would have liked, the Buccaneers had an improbable run to the divisional round of the playoffs.

Tampa Bay was 4-7 heading into the month of December and wasn't exactly looking like a playoff team. From there, the Bucs closed out the season by winning five of their last six games, earning the NFC South crown and securing a playoff spot. The Bucs then dominated the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card matchup, 32-9, behind Mayfield's 337 passing yards and three touchdowns.

On Sunday, Tampa Bay came up just short to the Lions.

Mayfield and the Buccaneers have a promising future, though. Mayfield is currently on a one-year, $4 million contract, but Tampa Bay will likely be looking to retain him. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Bucs and Mayfield have mutual interest in his return to Tampa Bay next season.

Mayfield has seemed to found the right fit in Tampa Bay. After being drafted to the Cleveland Browns in 2018 and spending four season with the team, he bounced from the Carolina Panthers to the Los Angeles Rams to the Bucs in a the span of two seasons. He's had a rocky start to his NFL career, but has now seemingly found consistency in Tampa Bay.

While the feeling after Sunday's game wasn't a good one for Mayfield, he'll be looking to bounce back next season and try to make Tampa Bay a city of champions once again.