It was a sweet victory at Raymond James Stadium for the Buccaneers in week one. Baker Mayfield led the team with four touchdown throws, two of those to Mike Evans. The 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders was how this team expected themselves to perform.
Now, the Bucs will face the team who eliminated them from playoff contention just a season ago, the Detroit Lions. Tampa Bay will come into Ford Field looking to redeem themselves after losing twice to Detroit in 2023. Head coach Todd Bowles said that he’s taking
“absolutely nothing” from last year’s playoff game, stating that “that was last year, in the playoffs that knocked us out. We’re 1-0. We’re trying to win a ballgame to go 2-0.”
The 2023 divisional round match-up was a hard fought battle by Tampa Bay, but they fell short 23-31 in a hostile environment. But since we aren’t taking anything from that game, like coach Bowles says, we can look forward to seeing if this Bucs’ offense will be more potent under new offensive coordinator Liam Coen. With key injuries to the defense, the offense will have to score early and often as they did in week one.
Bucs’ QB Baker Mayfield, on the other hand, took the time to reflect on similarities between last season’s games and this one:
“Schematically, yeah. Same defensive coordinator, obviously they’ve moved some guys around. Picking up Davenport is a pretty big upgrade to their edge guys. And then Brian Branch is such a versatile guy. They’ve moved him around, he’s able to play nickel but they had him back at safety- week one at least.”
Mayfield continued about the Lions additions, including former Buccaneers’ CB Carlton Davis. He then spoke about what Tampa needs to do in order to leave with a win:
“-we’re excited about the match-ups. But it comes down to us handling it and their mentality is always to be the most physical, so we have to be ready for that. Be the more physical team. Bring that early and often.”
That would seem to be the message within the locker room this week as they prepare for the Lions already battling injuries. There will be plenty of opportunity for these young Bucs’ defenders to showcase themselves as they must replace Antoine Winfield Jr., and potentially Zyon McCollum, Calijah Kancey, Josh Hayes, plus others.
But for the offense as well, Tampa Bay’s offense left fans excited and ready for more. Four passing touchdowns and zero turnovers was a great way to start out at home, but not turning the ball over against this Detroit team will prove to be.
Another key will be getting Rachaad White going on the ground. The Bucs’ rushing-attack ranked at the bottom of the league in 2023 and White averaged 2.1 yards per carry in week one. Luckily rookie Bucky Irving saved the day with 62 rushing yards on nine carries.
It’s bound to be a great week two match-up in Detroit, as the Bucs’ seem to have their sights set on playing hard, physical football for 60 minutes.
It was a sweet victory at Raymond James Stadium for the Buccaneers in week one. Baker Mayfield led the team with four touchdown throws, two of those to Mike Evans. The 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders was how this team expected themselves to perform.
Now, the Bucs will face the team who eliminated them from playoff contention just a season ago, the Detroit Lions. Tampa Bay will come into Ford Field looking to redeem themselves after losing twice to Detroit in 2023. Head coach Todd Bowles said that he’s taking
“absolutely nothing” from last year’s playoff game, stating that “that was last year, in the playoffs that knocked us out. We’re 1-0. We’re trying to win a ballgame to go 2-0.”
The 2023 divisional round match-up was a hard fought battle by Tampa Bay, but they fell short 23-31 in a hostile environment. But since we aren’t taking anything from that game, like coach Bowles says, we can look forward to seeing if this Bucs’ offense will be more potent under new offensive coordinator Liam Coen. With key injuries to the defense, the offense will have to score early and often as they did in week one.
Bucs’ QB Baker Mayfield, on the other hand, took the time to reflect on similarities between last season’s games and this one:
“Schematically, yeah. Same defensive coordinator, obviously they’ve moved some guys around. Picking up Davenport is a pretty big upgrade to their edge guys. And then Brian Branch is such a versatile guy. They’ve moved him around, he’s able to play nickel but they had him back at safety- week one at least.”
Mayfield continued about the Lions additions, including former Buccaneers’ CB Carlton Davis. He then spoke about what Tampa needs to do in order to leave with a win:
“-we’re excited about the match-ups. But it comes down to us handling it and their mentality is always to be the most physical, so we have to be ready for that. Be the more physical team. Bring that early and often.”
That would seem to be the message within the locker room this week as they prepare for the Lions already battling injuries. There will be plenty of opportunity for these young Bucs’ defenders to showcase themselves as they must replace Antoine Winfield Jr., and potentially Zyon McCollum, Calijah Kancey, Josh Hayes, plus others.
But for the offense as well, Tampa Bay’s offense left fans excited and ready for more. Four passing touchdowns and zero turnovers was a great way to start out at home, but not turning the ball over against this Detroit team will prove to be.
Another key will be getting Rachaad White going on the ground. The Bucs’ rushing-attack ranked at the bottom of the league in 2023 and White averaged 2.1 yards per carry in week one. Luckily rookie Bucky Irving saved the day with 62 rushing yards on nine carries.
It’s bound to be a great week two match-up in Detroit, as the Bucs’ seem to have their sights set on playing hard, physical football for 60 minutes.
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