TAMPA, Fla. – The Buc’s defense shut down rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Commander’s offense while the Buc’s offense did just enough, as Tampa Bay beat Washington 37-20 in the heat at Raymond James Stadium. Quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for 289 yards and four touchdowns. Mayfield said it was a team effort.
“Guys were really efficient,” Mayfield said. “For the most prt, the ball was distributed based on where the defense was dictating.”
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The Bucs were in control in the first half, jumping out to a 13-0 lead after two field goals and a Baker Mayfield 17-yard touchdown to Mike Evans to lead 13-0.
“We saw a lot of looks that we saw in practice,” Evans said. “So that’s always good to see. We had a great week of preparation for these guys. Two weeks actually. We came out and executed.”
The Commanders showed some life late in the 2nd quarter with running back Bryan Robinson scoring on a seven yard run, capping off a 74-yard 8 play drive to pull to within six..
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Tampa Bay increased their lead in the 3rd quarter with a 54 yard drive,highlighted by two penalties on one play. The Commanders committed pass interference and a facemask penalty on a Mayfield attempted pass to Jaylen McMillan. Mayfield ended up hitting Chris Godwin in the end zone for a four yard touchdown to increase their lead 23-7.
“Chris feels really good right now,” Mayfield said. “He’s (Godwin) always been a smart football player. He’s willing to do whatever the coaches are going to ask.”
Give the Commanders credit for not folding. With the 3rd quarter winding down, Daniels connected with Robinson who did the rest and made it to the 1. Daniels high stepped it into the endzone to cut the Bucs lead to 9 points.
“There’s some stuff that as an offense we left on the field,” Daniels said. “We have to execute better, but it’s a long season. We’re going to move on from this.”
The Bucs answered on a 37-yard Mayfield touchdown pass to rookie Jalen McMillan and it would be more than enough as the Bucs came out with the win and now get ready to go to Detroit next week.
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