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Baker Mayfield and Buccaneers rout Commanders 37-20 to spoil Jayden Daniels' debut

By Fred Goodall
Published  September 9, 2024 7:42am EDT
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Associated Press

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TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are indisputably Baker Mayfield's team. However, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and a solid defense are still a big part of their formula for success.

TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 8: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium on September 8, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Ima

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The 29-year-old quarterback threw 289 yards and four touchdowns Sunday to lead the three-time defending NFC South champions to a 37-20 rout of the new-look Washington Commanders and spoil the pro debut of No. 2 overall draft pick Jayden Daniels.

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Evans caught two TD passes, and Godwin and rookie Jalen McMillan each scored once for the Bucs, whose defense stymied Daniels and the Commanders' offense despite beginning the game without two injured starters and losing three cornerbacks along the way.

"We got to spread it around a bunch. A lot of guys got the ball," said Godwin, who had eight catches for 83 yards. "I think we have the potential to be a really dominant offense."

TAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 08: Chris Godwin #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates with Mike Evans #13 after he scored a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium on September 08, 2024

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Daniels was more effective running the ball than passing, scoring a pair of rushing TDs for Washington, which is aiming for a fresh start with the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback, Dan Quinn as the coach and Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt Jr. running the offense and defense, respectively.

"I grade myself hard. We didn’t win. I like to win," Daniels said. "Overall, it went pretty well. There’s some stuff as an offense that we left on the field. We’ve got to execute better. It’s a long season. We’re going to move on."

The former LSU star was one of three rookie starting quarterbacks in Week 1, along with No. 1 pick Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears and 12th pick Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos. He joined Robert Griffin III (2012) as the only rookies to start a season opener for Washington since 1967.

TAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 08: Jordan Whitehead #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rushes Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders as he throws the ball in the fourth quarter of the game at Raymond James Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Tampa, Flor

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"I thought he got to fully express all the things that he has — using his legs, being aggressive down the field," Quinn said. "Like a number of players tonight, there’s going to be a lot of takeaways. What I can tell you, we got one hell of a competitor."

Mayfield jumpstarted a fizzling career last season, signing a one-year contract with the Buccaneers and winning Tom Brady's old job before leading Tampa Bay to a third consecutive division title and a playoff victory.

TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 8: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates after a play during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium on September 8, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo

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The 2017 Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick from the following year's draft was rewarded in the offseason with a three-year, $100 million contract that answered any lingering questions about whether the Bucs considered him the QB to lead them forward.

"Pretty efficient for the most part. We just had to be more efficient in the red zone in the first half," Mayfield said, noting the Bucs settled for field goals of 56, 34 and 29 yards by Chase McLaughlin while building a 16-7 halftime lead.

TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 8: Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium on September 8, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevi

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"We’ll take points always," Mayfield added, "but we’d love to be able to score touchdowns."

Mayfield completed 24 of 30 passes without an interception, including TD throws of 1 and 17 yards to Evans, who had five catches for 61 yards. Goodwin scored on a 4-yard reception and McMillan had a 32-yard TD catch in the second half.

Daniels scored on a pair of 1-yard runs after halftime, the last one coming with just under two minutes left. He finished with 88 yards rushing on 16 attempts and went 17 of 24 passing for 184 yards and no interceptions. The Bucs sacked him twice.

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