A gloomy weather forecast gave way to an even gloomier result as the Buccaneers floundered their way to an 0-2 start against the Cleveland Browns, 23-19, in their home opener at Raymond James Stadium.
Delayed at the 2-minute warning for 2-plus hours because of intense rain and lightning, the Bucs tried desperately to salvage a double-digit lead they squandered away to…*checks notes*…Deshaun Watson. Unfortunately, Baker Mayfield, supposedly full of moxie and vigor to claim revenge against his former
team, played atrociously and failed to deliver on his egotistical ambitions.
The Bucs now find themselves in dire straits early and facing a formidable gauntlet in the next month against the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys before a seemingly easier task against the Pittsburgh Steelers. But that this point, nothing should be considered a gimme.
Everything looks hard for Tampa right now, but we’ll do some brief shoutouts on the positives before moving on.
Offensive Top Performer: Bucky Irving
For the second week in a row, the Buccaneers offense primarily came from Bucky Irving and nary anyone else.
Irving carried the ball 17 times for 89 yards, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. His explosiveness and proficiency at breaking tackles single-handedly kept the Bucs offense afloat as the passing game struggled to do anything.
Emeka Egbuka caught his first TD since last November and generally looked good, but his quarterback failed to get him the ball — including on the final play of the game where he was wide open in the end zone. Chris Godwin and Cade Otton also had their moments, so it’s not like the individual talent has completely evaporated.
It all relies on No. 6, the new $55 million man, getting his act together and orchestrating a competent operation.
Defensive Top Performer: CB Ben Morrison
Again, there’s not much to praise here.
Morrison has rebounded well from his nightmare rookie season, looking very good against Cincinnati last week and holding well again in Week 2 in place of the injured Jacob Parrish. Morrison logged 7 total tackles and broke up a touchdown in the endzone.
Rookie Keonte Scott played like a pitbull in the nickel, recording his first career sack and another tackle for loss as part of a 3-tackle effort.
Unfortunately, it was much more bad than good. The defense responded to the offense going up 10 points by immediately giving up the lead and looking toothless while doing so. It’s literally the same issues year after year, so I’m not sure what else we should expect at this point.
The team can’t generate pass rush without blitzing, it can’t cover tight ends, and it plays coverage way too soft and allows the easy completions. Watson, who’s barely played in the last 2 years and has looked terrible when he has, was coming off a historically awful Week 1 performance by EPA, and he turns around this week with two rookie receivers and a second-year tight end and goes 24-for-30 for 238 yards, 2 TDs and no turnovers while also rushing 7 times for 22 yards.
I don’t know, guys, seems pretty bad!
Special Teams Top Performer: K Chase McLaughlin
The one guy who deserved an extension the most this offseason continued to increase his price tag. McLaughlin accounted for 13 of the team’s 19 points, including a massive 59-yard drive.
Kam Johnson flashed his return chops on the team’s final drive, putting them in excellent position with a 48-yard scamper out toward midfield that the offense simply couldn’t capitalize on. Special teams overall has looked very solid.
