Article courtesy of BETUS. BETUS is a sportsbook partner of Pewter Report.
Fresh off an NFC South title and a postseason win in 2023, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers open the 2024 season at home against the Washington Commanders on Sunday afternoon.
Kickoff at Raymond James Stadium is 4:25 PM (ET), with the Buccaneers a field-goal favorite (total at 44), according to NFL odds.
Now, after a 9-8 season in 2023, this Tampa Bay team of coach Todd Bowles has much higher expectations heading into 2024. They were contract extensions to quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Mike Evans, leading to better chemistry this season.
Then, there are the $6 billion men we know as the Washington Commanders. Having lost their last eight games (and owner Dan Snyder) in 2023, it’s now Josh Harris’ team.
Harris, also with stakes in the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and NHL’s New Jersey Devils, imported Dan Quinn to replace Ron Rivera as new coach. Quinn, after three seasons as the defensive coordinator with the Dallas Cowboys, gets another shot to run a team (think Atlanta Falcons and a blown 28-3 lead against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI).
A 4-13 record in ‘23 gave the Commanders the draft’s second selection, taking LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels and immediately giving him the keys to the offense.
Here’s our preview of this NFC clash to begin the season…
Capital Punishment Continues?
Commanders HC Dan Quinn – Photo by: USA Today
A pathetic season in the nation’s capital, especially on the gridiron. The Washington Commanders’ 2023 wasn’t pleasant. Fingers (sometimes the middle one) were pointed everywhere, notably at a defense that allowed a ghastly 518 points (30.4 per game).
That was 63 points higher than the second-worst (Arizona Cardinals) outpost in the league. Thus, the club replaced one (theoretical) defense coach (Ron Rivera) with another (Dan Quinn).
However, the bulk of the buzz with this team involves the offense, where aforementioned rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has some veteran playmates in ex-Los Angeles Charger Austin Ekeler and former Philadelphia Eagle Zach Ertz.
Ekeler was slowed by a sprained ankle last season.
Do not forget consistent veteran wideout Terry McLaurin, entering his sixth D.C. season with 378 career receptions (four consecutive 1,000-yard totals).
There’s no telling how long the ongoing rebuild is going to take. Vegas isn’t impressed, offering a victory total of just 6½, as per NFL regular-season wins.
Battening Down Bucs
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
As was mentioned, one of the main reasons the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the moribund NFC South in 2023 was the play of quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Mike Evans.
That latter is a Tampa fixture since being taken seventh overall by the Pewter in 2014. He is the first player in NFL history to begin his career with 10 consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
He’s ‘old’ at 31, but any concerns dissipated after 1,255 receiving yards (13 touchdowns) last season. He’s been on the receiving end of scoring passes thrown by the likes of Mike Glennon, Josh McCown, Jameis Winston, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Blaine Gabbert.
There were guys named Brady and Mayfield as well, so no favorites here.
Evans may feast against a Commander pass defense surrendering a league-worst 262.2 yards/game through the air last season.
Back the Bucs
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels – Photo by: USA Today
Stats don’t lie…they don’t even fib very often. Rookie quarterbacks are 16-35-1 in their openers, 0-7-1 in the past five seasons. The last plebe quarterback to win his initial game was Sam Darnold (New York over Detroit Lions in 2018).
While there’s plenty of hype around Daniels and his debut in Washington with the Commanders, learning to read defenses and make consistent plays isn’t easy.
Tampa will be out to confuse the rookie, who wouldn’t be normal without a mistake or two here.
If this game was in November or December, perhaps the rookie quarterback would be the choice. Beginning his career on the road, however, is a different story.
Take the Tampa Bay Buccaneers -3 to win this opener.
