If there were any reservations amongst Bucs fans over giving Baker Mayfield his offseason contract extension, they were laid to rest Sunday afternoon. Baker Mayfield and company handled Dan Quinn’s Commanders team in a 17 point rout that did not seem as close as the final score indicated.
Mayfield made it clear that not only should he be the starting QB in Tampa, but he may have enough around him this year to be truly competitive in the Playoffs.
After beginning the game with decent ball movement that resulted in back to back Chase McLaughlin field goals, Mayfield found his rhythm and connected on a gorgeous 17 yard touchdown pass to Mike Evans. After a third and final field goal just before halftime, Tampa Bay carried their 16 to 7 lead into the break feeling good about the momentous shift behind them.
After halftime, it was as if Liam Coen decided to finally open the playbook up. Rookie RB Bucky Irving (Oregon) finally got some touches and may have telegraphed to the coaching staff that he was ready to potentially elevate his workload. Irving carried the ball nine times for 62 yards, averaging 6.9 yards per carry while starting back Rachaad White carried the ball six more times than Irving but only managed 31 yards for 2.1 yards per carry. Tampa Bay totaled 112 rush yards on the day, including a 31 yard scamper by Irving that set up a coinciding score.
How did Bucky Irving hit the ground running in his NFL debut? He trusted his eyes. https://t.co/Iffp46oQwG
— Scott Smith (@ScottSBucs) September 9, 2024
Mayfield was absolutely brilliant in the second half. He dished the ball while moving around the pocket and threw perfectly placed dimes to the endzone three more times in the 2nd half alone. Mike Evans caught a second touchdown on the day, and Mayfield also found both Chris Godwin and his rookie speedster Jalen McMillan in the endzone for his first NFL score. It was relieving for McMillan especially to find the endzone eventually since he had dropped a precise would be touchdown from Mayfield in the first half.
The Bucs’ defense played aggressively and struggled for some of the day to keep the shifty Jayden Daniels in the pocket. Daniels rushed for 88 yards on 16 carries, finding the endzone on the ground twice. The secondary played excellent football with exception to some breakdown in downfield discipline once ball carriers were past the second level. Tampa did manage to keep Daniels under 200 yards passing while denying him a passing touchdown. Jayden Daniels certainly turned some heads, but when it mattered most, the Bucs’ linebackers and safeties stepped up.
Neither team turned the ball over, which was both surprising and refreshing. September and October football can bring turnover woes and this came off as a very clean football game. By far, for my money, the Buccaneers’ offense was the star of the show; especially Baker Mayfield.
#Bucs QB Baker Mayfield today vs. the Commanders:
• 24/30
• 289 passing yards
• 4 TDs
• 0 INTs
• 146.4 passer rating.
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— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 8, 2024
Mayfield ended the day 24/30 for 289 yards, threw 4 touchdowns, and finished the game with a 146.4 rating (86.1 QBR). It may have been one of Mayfield’s most complete games and it makes General Manager Jason Licht look even more like a genius for taking the chance on Baker in the first place then making sure to keep him this offseason. All smiles in Tampa right now.
Next week, the Buccaneers have a massive test as they travel to hostile Ford Field in Detroit to try and get revenge for this past seasons Playoff loss. Detroit beat the Bucs 31-23 in a nail biter back in January. Detroit is a stacked team with a very aggressive style. Coach Dan Campbell will have the Lions ready and the Detroit crowd will be loud, so the Bucs should have their hands full.
Pewter Pulse: Revenge Game vs. Lions Lurking For Bucs In Week 2
The #Bucs have a big-time rematch against the #Lions in Detroit in Week 2 and Tampa Bay is out for revenge. With both teams 1-0, Scott Reynolds previewed the game in a recent Pewter Pulse.https://t.co/BbJTeKPEvG
— PewterReport ????☠️ (@PewterReport) September 9, 2024
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