TAMPA, Fla. – Week 1 in the NFL is usually the unknown for teams trying to figure out what an opponent is going to do. Double that for the Bucs taking on a totally revamped Washington Commanders team Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
“With two weeks before the season opener, you probably overthink the week before,” Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said. “Then, the week of, you kind of get back to basics and go with what you know and make sure that our own team has their rules down and play with what they see.”
The Bucs are filled with veterans, some that have a Super Bowl ring, like wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, left tackle Tristan Wirfs and linebacker Lavonte David as well as safety Antoine Winfield Jr. The defense is the same system that Bowles has used since he was their defensive coordinator.
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The Bucs offense might be new under offensive coordinator Liam Coen, but Coen has kept what the Bucs did well last year and then put in his own style. Washington has a new head coach and brand new offense and defense. Bucs qb Baker Mayfield is just concentrating on getting the ball to his playmakers and trying to limit mistakes.
“They (Washington) haven’t shown a lot of stuff and what they’re going to do,” Mayfield said. “My job is getting us in the right position and what look I’m seeing and being able to adjust to that.”
The defending NFC South Champs are facing a team that only won 4 games all last season but Bowles says you can’t take them or any team in the NFL lightly. Neither team has hardly played their starters this preseason and going into Week 1 of the regular season everything is amped up. Mayfield can’t wait.
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“I mean you prep all year, all offseason,” Mayfield said. “It just feels like the waiting game forever. You finally get to the game prep and game planning and all that stuff. It is exciting.”
The Commanders will be led on offense by highly touted rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Rookie quarterbacks at times have had success against the Buccaneers.
Kickoff is set for 4;25 Sunday. Several of the Bucs players said they feel like they should have an advantage having had to practice in these hot and humid conditions in Tampa.
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