Bucs vs. Commanders, let’s talk about it.
Football is a game of inches, but it’s also a game of quarters. Let’s dive into a quarter-by-quarter breakdown of some Tampa Bay Bucs’ football. Today, the Bucs played the Washington Commanders. Tampa flexed some offensive muscle, scoring nearly 40 points as they dominated this week, however, before their domination there was the opening kickoff and quarter number one.
First quarter-
Entering Sunday’s game, Tampa Bay hadn’t scored an opening drive in 20 consecutive games— Today, that streak extended to 21. Following 2024’s debut drive, Tampa’s defense sent Jayden Daniels in reverse— second-and-long, led to third-and-long, which led to a Trey Palmer punt return. Baker Mayfield and the Bucs offense doubled down on their first drive output, adding another three points in their second at-bat. One Washington missed field goal later and quarter number one concluded— 6-0, Bucs.
Second quarter-
Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Quarter number two instantly saw more offensive production than its predecessor. Tampa Bay’s new $100,000,000 dollar man found his future Hall of Fame receiver for the first Buccaneer touchdown of the season. After Tampa’s statement, Washington made one of their own. Jayden Daniels drove the Commanders 74 yards in 8 plays for what felt like a fairly easy score— 13-7, Bucs. In the final minutes on the first half, Baker Mayfield led the Bucs back down the field for their third Chase McLaughlin field goal attempt. Mclaughlin’s third successful kick left the Bucs with a 16-7 lead at the intermission.
Third quarter-
Washington started the second half with the ball and more Jayden Daniels scrambling. Daniels spent a majority of the first half running through the Bucs’ defense and continued that trend in the third quarter. Daniels exceeded his passing yards, with yards on the ground (46-58), through the first 36 minutes of gameplay. Following a Cade York missed field goal, Mayfield tossed his second score of the afternoon— this one to Chris Godwin. Jayden Daniels capped off his first third quarter as a pro with his first career touchdown, fittingly, the score came on a rush. 23-14, Bucs.
Fourth quarter-
Thanks to a long catch and run by Rachaad White, the Bucs began the game’s final quarter with the ball in Washington territory. Baker Mayfield capped off the drive with his third touchdown pass of the game to his third different receiver (Jalen McMillan). Tampa’s offense wasn’t finished there. Mayfield had one more touchdown pass up his sleeve, finding Mike Evans for his second score of the day.
Baker Mayfield’s four touchdowns passes are undoubtedly the story of this game. Tampa struggled to run the ball early but, the difficulty did not hinder their offense in the slightest as Mayfield was able to distribute the ball to the wide array of weapons at his disposal. The Bucs made offensive weapons a priority this season and one week into the season that decision bore fruit as their offense put 37 points on the board.
Noteworthy performers:
Baker Mayfield- 24/30, 289, 4 TD
Mike Evans- 5 rec, 61 yards, 2 TD
Chris Godwin- 8 rec, 83 yards, 1 TD
Bucs’ rush offense- 112 yards
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