Mayfield criticizes officiating after Buccaneers loss to Lions

Baker Mayfield criticized officiating after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell 24-9 to the Detroit Lions on Monday night at Ford Field, a loss that was shaped by Detroit’s strong running game, the injury of Tampa Bay receiver Mike Evans and a disputed replay reversal on a fourth-down play. Mayfield completed 28 of 50 passes for 228 yards with one touchdown and one interception as the Buccaneers struggled to sustain drives and generate a running attack against a Lions defense that rushed for 164 yards.

The game turned on several factors. Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 218 yards and two touchdowns, piling up the most scrimmage yards by a Lions player since 2013 and repeatedly breaking runs that kept Detroit in control. Detroit’s defense also pressured Mayfield, who was sacked four times and hit repeatedly. Tampa Bay managed just 58 yards of offense in the first half and finished with 12 carries for 41 yards.

Midway through the fourth quarter an exchange between Mayfield and referee John Hussey followed a controversial replay sequence. On fourth-and-4, Mayfield’s pass to tight end Cade Otton initially was ruled a first down. The Lions challenged and the call was upheld, but officials then took...