TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Mayfield and the Buccaneers are back and they’re “baking” and Sunday’s 37-20 victory over the Washington Commanders showed Tampa Bay has the potential to have a dominant offense this season.
During the Bucs’ season-opener, Mayfield completed 24 of 30 passes for 289 yards for four touchdowns, earning him a passer rating of 146.4 — his fourth-highest passer rating in a game of his career.
Tampa Bay 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. Rookie Bucky Irving assisted in this feat, rushing for 62 yards on nine carries in his NFL debut.
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,” Godwin, who had eight receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown said.
“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 Florida many points that we scored. But again, there were three possessions where we felt like we should have gotten touchdowns.”
INJURIES
It’s not official, but Bowles said Hall’s injury is “probably” 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.
“Bryce [Hall] is definitely out. We’ll see about [Josh] Hayes, we’ll see about Zyon [McCollum], and then obviously ‘Win’ (Antoine Winfield Jr.) was in a boot – we’ll see about him later on this week, as well,” Bowles said on Monday.
When asked if Hall’s injury was season-ending, he said, “I haven’t heard all of that, but from what I know, it’s probably season-ending.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
The Buccaneers will face off against the Lions in Detroit on Sunday. A revengeful matchup for Tampa Bay as the Lions defeated the Bucs twice last season, including at home in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
