Rapid Reaction: Buccaneers 37, Commanders 20
TAMPA, Fla. - - — The Tampa Narrows Marauders are undeniably Pastry specialist Mayfield's group. Nonetheless, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and a strong guard are as yet a major piece of their recipe for progress.
The 29-year-old quarterback tossed 289 yards and four scores Sunday to lead the three-time guarding NFC South bosses to a 37-20 defeat of the new-look Washington Commandants and ruin the ace introduction of No. 2 in general draft pick Jayden Daniels.
Evans got two TD passes, and Godwin and tenderfoot Jalen McMillan each scored once for the Bucs, whose guard frustrated Daniels and the Administrators' offense regardless of starting the game without two harmed starters and losing three cornerbacks en route.
"We got to spread it around a pack. A ton of folks got the ball," said Godwin, who had eight gets for 83 yards. "I think we can possibly be a truly predominant offense."
Daniels was more compelling running the ball than passing, scoring a couple of hurrying TDs for Washington, which is going for the gold beginning with the 2023 Heisman Prize victor at quarterback, Dan Quinn as the mentor and Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt Jr. running the offense and guard, separately.
"I grade myself hard. We didn't win. I like to win," Daniels said. "Generally speaking, it went pretty well. There's some stuff as an offense that we left on the field. We must execute better. It's a long season. We will continue on."
The previous LSU star was one of three tenderfoot beginning quarterbacks in Week 1, alongside No. 1 pick Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears and twelfth pick Bo Nix of the Denver Mustangs. He joined Robert Griffin III (2012) as the main tenderfoots to begin a season opener for Washington beginning around 1967.
"I thought he got to completely communicate everything that he has — utilizing his legs, being forceful down the field," Quinn said. "Like various players this evening, there will be a ton of focus points. Everything I can say to you, we got quite a contender."
Mayfield kicked off a failing profession last season, marking a one-year agreement with the Marauders and winning Tom Brady's old work prior to driving Tampa Inlet to a third sequential division title and a season finisher triumph.
