TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — As the game clock wound down, Baker Mayfield sat on the bench, visibly frustrated, before heading to the Tampa Bay locker room.

The Buccaneers suffered a 24-20 defeat at the hands of the struggling New Orleans Saints, bringing their record to 7-6 and placing them in a tie with Carolina for the top spot in the NFC South. Mayfield, the seasoned quarterback, didn’t blame the persistent rain for the lackluster offensive showing and openly expressed his disappointment.

With little time to reflect on their recent struggles — losing five of their last seven games after a promising 5-1 start — the Bucs must quickly regroup. They will host the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night, with two crucial meetings against the Panthers looming in the season’s final three weeks.

“This loss should frustrate us,” Mayfield remarked, acknowledging his dashed MVP hopes amid Tampa Bay’s decline. “We need to channel that frustration into Thursday night’s game.”

During the match, Mayfield connected with Bucky Irving for a touchdown in the first half. However, his interception in the third quarter, Tampa Bay’s sole turnover, paved the way for Tyler Shough’s 34-yard touchdown run. The Saints’ defense also thwarted the Buccaneers on five crucial fourth-and-short attempts, adding to their woes.

“Got to be able to get a yard in those short-yardage situations. That’s just flat-out,” said Mayfield, who finished 14 of 30 for 122 yards.

“We couldn’t make a fourth-down play,” coach Todd Bowles concurred. “That’s disheartening.”

Adding to the Bucs’ woes was a key drop by rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka, who was terrific during Tampa Bay’s fast start and leads the team in receptions (54), receiving yards (806) and touchdowns (six) with injuries sidelining Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan for much of the season.

Egbuka was targeted nine times Sunday, finishing with two catches for 15 yards. A potential game-tying TD pass glanced off his hands in the end zone late in the fourth quarter, with the Bucs later settling for a field goal that trimmed New Orleans’ lead to 24-20 with just under five minutes remaining.

“Didn’t execute. When you don’t do that, it’s hard to win, no matter who you’re playing. … I can’t help but feel like I let (the team) down today,” Egbuka said. “I’m on this team for one reason, and it’s to catch the ball, and I didn’t.”

Mayfield didn’t point fingers.

“Mek is a professional. Obviously, he’s going to beat himself up about that. Afterwards I went up to him and told him: ‘The ball is going to find you again … when we get it back, so we’re gonna need you,’” Mayfield said. “It’s just the nature of the game. Telling people to catch the ball doesn’t do anything. They’re not trying to drop it.”