Bucs Swamp Commanders for Season-Opening Win
Baker Mayfield and the Bucs’ offense scored on their first five possessions of 2024 and the defense survived a war of attrition to secure a 37-20 victory over Washington and elusive QB Jayden Daniels on Sunday
Sep 08, 2024 at 09:00 PM
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Scott Smith
Senior Writer/Editor
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers scored on their first five possessions on Sunday en route to a 37-20 victory over the visiting Washington Commanders in their 2024 season opener at Raymond James Stadium. QB Baker Mayfield threw two touchdown passes to Mike Evans and one each to Chris Godwin and rookie Jalen McMillan while completing 24 of 30 passes for 289 yards, no interceptions and a 146.4 passer rating. Mayfield also ran for 21 yards, including an 11-yarder on third down that set up the Bucs’ final touchdown.
“I thought Baker did a heck of a job,” said Head Coach Todd Bowles. “He was good with his plays, he was good with his reads, with his checks. Everything was on point. He was excited. He ran when he had to, made some nice plays with his feet. He played a great overall game.”
The Buccaneers scored 37 points in a game for the first time since a dramatic 39-27 loss in Houston in Week Nine of last season, and their most in a season opener since a 48-40 shootout win in New Orleans in 2018. It was a promising debut for the offense designed by first-year Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen.
“I thought Liam did a great job coming out,” said Bowles. “I mean, he put up 37 points. There’s some things we can be better at, that we’ve got to get better at. But the first game, I’m happy to win, happy to score 37 points and we’ll move on from there.”
The Buccaneers started 1-0 for the fourth season in a row, tied for the second-longest streak in the NFL behind the New Orleans Saints’ six in a row. The Saints extended their streak on Sunday with a 47-10 drubbing of Carolina while the Atlanta Falcons lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 18-10, to give the Bucs and Saints a share of first place in the NFC South. Tampa Bay is seeking its fourth consecutive division title.
Tampa Bay’s defense had its hands full with rookie QB Jayden Daniels, the second-overall pick in the draft who ran for 88 yards and two touchdown on 16 carries, most of them on scrambles. However, Washington’s running backs were held to just 50 yards and star wideout Terry McLaurin caught just two passes for 17 yards. The Buccaneers allowed Washington to convert only two of their eight third-down attempts.
The home team’s defense held strong despite a troubling rash of injuries both before and during the game. The Bucs started the game without three of the six defensive linemen on their roster, including starters Calijah Kancey and Logan Hall, both of whom recently suffered injuries on the practice field. During the game, injuries knocked out cornerbacks Zyon McCollum (concussion), Josh Hayes (ankle) and Bryce Hall (ankle), forcing safety Christian Izien into the game at outside cornerback.
“I thought they did an excellent job – Izzy at corner, and with [DL C.J.] Brewer and [DL] Mike Greene coming up and [DL Ben] Stille coming up,” said Bowles. “Those guys did a heck of a job inside on the line with Will [Gholston] and [Greg] Gaines playing out of position as well.”
Mayfield’s favorite target was Godwin, who hauled in eight passes for 83 yards and the four-yard score in the third quarter that gave the Bucs a 16-point lead. Seven of Godwin’s eight catches resulted in first downs, including four that converted third downs in the first half.
“Chris feels really good right now,” said Mayfield. “Physically he feels good, and just this offense, it plays to his strengths. He’s always been a smart football player. He’s willing to do whatever the coaches are going to ask, but this is now his opportunity to really shine, get back to [where he was] at least. He’s always been a stud. Chris looks really good.”
