The better team won in more ways than one

The Bucs dominate an inferior team.

As Buccaneers fans, we have seen the Bucs lose to teams they shouldn’t. We have witnessed our team squeak by and have a full plate with “lesser” opponents. Please make no mistake; truly good teams don’t do those things; they take care of business. That is not to say that Washington is slop. They just are not where we are at this moment in time. This writer isn’t home-team-conceited; we’re just better than they are. Barely beating an inferior team suggests weaknesses in your game. It tells the tale of a team that is not where they should be with the talent they have. That is basically what the National Media has been saying about The Bucs in the post-Brady era. It seems as if we have always been the Rodney Dangerfield of the NFL. The Bucs have to go out and prove their worth every single season. I don’t think that is always a bad thing. It gives the players a natural chip on their shoulders.

Mayfield ahead of where he left off

Many may say that Baker Mayfield picked up from where he left off in 2023. I believe he is ahead of that pace. The things I saw him do against the Commanders, Sunday, were more crisp, more controlled, and focused. I never got the feeling at any point in the game that he was going to throw an interception or that the wheels may come off. He was totally in command (no pun intended) the entire way. The way that he plays against a good team (The Lions) next week will settle the way that I feel about his ability to lead this team deep into the playoffs and beyond. I’ve been cautious when it comes to Mr. Mayfield. Always aware that the Baker of old could easily return and ruin everything. It’s just difficult for me to cast aside his play from Cleveland to the Rams. To me, one season, a quarterback does not make. To see him in this game, come out, and look better than last season proves much in my view of the quarterback that leads this Bucs’ Offense. The quarterback I saw on Sunday is as good as any in the league (disqualifying dual-threat QBs, of course}. Mayfield can throw with the best of them. I cannot explain why he was not able to have the same success at other locations. I said it once before when he first got here. Tampa is his Xanadu, his happy place — like the brier patch was for Br’er rabbit.

Coaches and fans had much to smile about

From the rookies like Irving, who led in rushing yards with 62 yards, averaging 6.9 YPC, he was electric. Barton had a pretty solid second-half outing. McMillan, who had trouble catching one ball that was over-thrown by Mayfield, caught a third one and took it 32 yards for a score. Then there was a rejuvenated Joe Tryon, who had two tackles with a sack. To Mike Evans hauling in two spectacular receptions for touchdowns and Godwin, back in the slot, leading all receivers with 8 grabs for 83 yards and a touchdown. Rachaad White was second with 6 receptions for 75 yards, continuing his way from his best year ever, 2023. The one thing that left me scratching my head was the fact that Sean Tucker didn’t get the first carry in the rushing game. The fastest guy on the team is riding the pine? Tucker was involved in special teams, but that was it. Curious to see if that continues. For the entire game, there was much to be happy about. Keeping it all in perspective, it was Washington. Much more will be revealed next week in the Detroit game. We will all have a better idea of where the Bucs truly stand early in the 2024 season. It’s a measuring stick game, for sure. I predicted the Bucs to win by 14–17 points. I was spot on with that. Go Bucs!!