TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers believe they have the potential to have a dominant offense.
Granted it’s just one game, but the Bucs only punted once during a season-opening 37-20 victory over the Washington Commanders and scored on seven of eight possessions before backup quarterback Kyle Trask kneeled on the game’s final two plays to run out the clock.
Just the fact that Trask, who’s only attempted 10 passes since entering the league as a second-round draft pick in 2021, was on the field at the end in a mop-up role was an indication of how efficient Baker Mayfield and the rest of the offense was in ruining the NFL debut of No. 2 overall draft pick Jayden Daniels.
Mayfield completed 24 of 30 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns. The Bucs also ran for 112 yards, showing signs of finally having a ground game after ranking last in the league in rushing each of the past two seasons.
Mayfield, receiver Chris Godwin and coach Todd Bowles lauded the play-calling of first-year offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who was brought in from the University of Kentucky after former OC Dave Canales was hired as coach of the Carolina Panthers.
“That’s a pretty hot first start, right, and again we left some meat on the bone out there. … But I think for our first game, I think Liam would probably say that he’s pretty happy with how he was calling things, and I think as players we are happy as well,” said Godwin, who had eight receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown.
“I think that we have the potential to be a really, really dominant offense, but it doesn’t mean anything if we do not go out there and put it on the field,” Godwin added. “It was one game, and we are really happy with how many points that we scored. But again, there were three possessions where we felt like we should have gotten touchdowns.”
The Bucs outgained the Commanders by nearly 100 yards in building a 16-7 halftime lead, however they weren’t satisfied with settling for field goals of 56, 34 and 29 yards after drives stalled in Washington territory.
Tampa Bay only averaged 20.5 points per game a year ago. Despite scoring 37 on Sunday, Bowles stressed the offense is a long way from being a finished product.
“It was great for the first game just to get our feet wet. But we have some things to work on there, and we’ve got to be better.”
What’s working
Mayfield’s passer rating of 146.6 was the second-highest ever for a Tampa Bay QB in a season opener. He has four career games with at least four TD passes and a passer rating of 140-plus, tied with Aaron Rodgers for the third-most by a QB in the first seven seasons of a career.
What’s not
The back end of the defense is a concern after the Bucs lost three of four cornerbacks active for Sunday’s game to injury. Starter Zyon McCullom (concussion) and reserves Bryce Hall (broken leg, dislocated ankle) and Josh Hayes left the game, leaving the defense to finish with safety Christian Izien playing cornerback despite having no previous experience at the position.
“He has not lined up at corner one day in training camp, but he plays nickel. So, nickel and corner have the same job on certain things,” Bowles said.
Stock up
Rookie running back Bucky Irving 6.9 yards per carry and led the Bucs with 62 yards rushing on nine attempts, including a long of 31 yards.
Stock down
Third-year pro Rachaad White, who ran for 990 yards last season, wasn’t nearly as effective running the ball as Irving — finishing with 31 yards on 15 carries. That doesn’t mean his status as the starting running back is in jeopardy, though. White had six receptions for 75 yards, and Bowles is excited about the prospect of having a pair of productive players at the position for a change.
Injuries
It’s not official, but Bowles said Hall’s injury likely is season-ending. The status of McCollum and Hayes, as well as All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (ankle) will be monitored as the week progresses. Winfield was seen wearing a walking boot late Sunday. Bowles said he was hurt on one of the final two defensive snaps of the game.
Key number
Four. Tampa Bay has won four consecutive season openers for the first time in franchise history.
Next steps
At Detroit next Sunday. The Lions beat the Bucs twice last season, including at home in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs.
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