The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got off to a strong start against the visiting Washington Commanders as Baker Mayfield threw four touchdown passes en route to an impressive 146.4 quarterback rating. He orchestrated back-to-back drives with eight completions on eight attempts and in total, Tampa Bay scored on its first five possessions at Raymond James Stadium. The offense hummed under the leadership of first-year Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen.

Mayfield threw a pair of touchdown passes to Mike Evans and one each to Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan. On the first to Evans, Mayfield saw number 13 running down the left sideline and the future Hall of Fame receiver made a stunning catch. The Commanders’ Benjamin St.-Juste was physical off the line and held Evans off, but the prolific high-point receiver was still able to haul in the catch. Later in the third quarter, Godwin caught Mayfield’s pass and extended it for the touchdown. Evans and Godwin lined up in a huddle formation on the left sideline and Evans did a great job as the decoy selling the route, running straight toward the end zone. Godwin quickly ran to the flat, creating separation to catch the ball for the score. Mayfield completed 24 of 30 passes for 289 yards with no interceptions. He showed off his competitive spirit and versatility by rushing for 21 yards on the ground. He evaded pressure all afternoon and made a number of lateral passes similar to those of Patrick Mahomes.

Throughout the game, Godwin became the offensive catalyst and Mayfield’s go-to on third down. The former Penn State star caught eight passes for 83 yards and a four-yard touchdown on a quick out that gave the Bucs a 23-7 lead. Seven of his eight catches resulted in first downs and four were third-down conversions. Godwin was quick off the breaks and gained leverage over the Commanders’ defensive backs with physicality at the top of routes. Whether working in the middle of the field or on the perimeter of out-breakers or screens, Godwin moved the chains for Tampa Bay. He also showed off his run-blocking prowess, clearing the way for Bucky Irving on a 31-yard run. From a mid-zone look, following a course inside, Irving cut to the edge, led by a Godwin block to close down the lane.

Tampa Bay’s defense faced an elusive rookie dual-threat quarterback in Jayden Daniels, who ran for 88 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. However, the Bucs’ unit held the Commanders’ offense to just 299 total yards and a 25 percent third-down efficiency (2 of 8). Terry McLaurin, the team’s true offensive weapon and the centerpiece of Todd Bowles’ game plan, was limited to just two catches for 17 yards. Washington’s running backs managed just 50 yards on the ground as the Bucs regrouped to play the football. In the opener, Tampa Bay started without Calijah Kancey, who re-injured his calf, and Logan Hall, who suffered a foot injury in practice.

“I thought they did a great job – Izzy at corner, and with (DL CJ) Brewer and (DL) Mike Greene coming up and (DL Ben) Stille coming up,” Bowles said. “Those guys did a great job inside on the line with Will (Gholston) and (Greg) Gaines playing out of position as well.”

The Bucs were constantly pressing, and outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka had an impressive performance with a sack, forced fumble, quarterback hit and a tackle for loss. SirVocea Dennis, a great coverage linebacker who was used in several third-down passing situations, collected his own sack. In the fourth quarter, Lavonte David fired a blitz, and Dennis finished the play by taking Daniels to the ground.

The Buccaneers’ depth will be tested as injuries mount in the secondary against the Commanders. Todd Bowles confirmed on the floor Monday that cornerback Bryce Hall will “definitely” miss the team’s Week 2 game at Detroit with an ankle injury and will likely miss the remainder of the season. Hall entered the game after Zyon McCollum suffered a concussion in the first half. Backup Josh Hayes also suffered an ankle injury and did not return, further thinning the depth at cornerback. Christian Izien was then pushed into action at outside corner opposite Jamel Dean, a position the nickelback hadn’t played since high school. Bowles also revealed that All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. was injured on one of the final two plays against Washington and wore a boot. The staff will continue to monitor Winfield’s progress, and against Detroit in Week 2, rookie Tyreek Funderburk could find his way into the starting cornerback lineup down the road.