After months of waiting, the Bucs took the field for their season opener as they played the Commanders at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Looking to build off a 9-8 season in which Tampa Bay reached the Divisional Round of the playoffs, the team got off to a strong start by neutralizing the Commanders, 37-20. Here are this week’s most impressive players from the game.

QB Baker Mayfield

Baker Mayfield was baking on Sunday afternoon.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

Facing a mostly intact 2023 Commanders secondary that ranked last in passing defense last season, Mayfield was able to pick them apart and get into a rhythm finding Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and the rest of his supporting cast.

In the first half alone, Mayfield was efficient, completing 16 of 19 passes (84.2%) for 179 passing yards and a touchdown. On the game, he finished 24 of 30 (80%) for 289 passing yards and four touchdowns.

In particular, he had plenty of success finding Bucs wide receivers Evans and Godwin throughout the game, and those are two dangerous weapons for defenses to stop.

It was not just his efficiency that deserves mentioning, but his pocket presence. The veteran quarterback was able to buy himself time throughout the game and was able to overcome shoddy pass protection and a run game that failed to get much going.

He even showed off some of his swagger in the fourth quarter. Playing with a three-score lead, Mayfield dodged another sack and scrambled for 11 yards and a first down. Then, he did a drawn-out first down point that got the crowd pumped and the press box to laugh.

WR Mike Evans

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Baker Mayfield to Mike Evans connection remains as lethal as ever, and Evans remains unguardable in his 11th NFL season.

Despite being heavily contested by cornerback Benjamin St-Juste, Evans made an incredible contested catch in the end zone to give the Bucs a 13-0 lead in the second quarter.

Evans then hauled in a lob pass from Mayfield for his second touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter.

Last week, the Bucs’ star wideout mentioned that he would be “singled up a lot” as the ‘X’ receiver, and he continues to be a thorn in defensive back’s sides. “M1K3” finished the game with five catches for 61 yards and his first two touchdown grabs of the season.

WR Chris Godwin

Chris Godwin is old reliable back in the slot, and he thrived hauling in anything thrown his way on Sunday afternoon. He caught eight passes for 83 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown grab in the third quarter.

He was able to move the chains and create consistent separation on his routes. Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen went on record on the latest In the Current for calling him the Cooper Kupp of his offense, so expect Godwin to continue getting a heavy dose of targets – and making the most of them.

K Chase McLaughlin

On the opening drive of the game, the Bucs were able to put some points on the board, thanks to the leg of Chase McLaughlin. After having the best kicking season in Tampa Bay history in 2023, McLaughlin got off on the “right foot” to start 2024. His 56-yard field goal gave the team an early 3-0 lead.

Money McLaughlin then cashed in on a 34-yard field goal later in the first quarter and a 29-yarder in the second quarter.

Safe to say that the Chase Bank remains open on Sundays.

Bucs’ Pass Defense

The defense was not able to contain Jayden Daniels on the ground, but where they did limit him was through the air. Daniels finished with 88 rushing yards, but he completed just 17 of his 24 passes for 184 yards, without a touchdown or interception. Most of that came in garbage time.

The Bucs’ defense deserves credit for that, especially considering the fact that Zyon McCollum (concussion), Bryce Hall (ankle), and Josh Hayes (ankle) were all ruled out of the game. The rest of the secondary held up, with safeties Jordan Whitehead and Antoine Winfield Jr. combining for 13 tackles and Jamel Dean limiting Terry McLaurin to just two catches for 17 yards on four targets.

That’s impressive.

WR Jalen McMillan

After missing a chance to make a big play in the first quarter, Jalen McMillan did not let the next opportunity slip from his hands. To begin the fourth quarter, Baker Mayfield found a wide-open McMillan down the right sideline for a 32-yard touchdown.

The rookie made plenty of big plays throughout training camp and the preseason, and his arrow continues to point upward after making the first of what could be many NFL touchdowns.

ILB SirVocea Dennis

Bucs inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis got a lot of run at inside linebacker, as he split time with K.J. Britt against the mobile Jayden Daniels. After not playing much outside of one start in his rookie season, Dennis made the most of his playing time against the Commanders, recording seven total tackles and his first NFL sack.

A favorite of Todd Bowles, who said during training camp to expect him to see the field quite a bit this season, he shined.

“WR” Rachaad White

Bucs RB Rachaad White – Photo by: USA Today

Rachaad White failed to get much going on the ground, recording 31 yards on 15 carries. Where he made most of his impact was unsurprisingly out of the backfield as a receiver with 6 catches for 75 yards.

It was a tale of two Whites, as he was both impressive and disappointing on offense. He provides value, although more as a No. 3 wide receiver than a No. 1 running back.

Christian Izien – The Bucs’ Emergency CB

Filling in for a cornerback room absolutely decimated by injuries on Sunday afternoon, Christian Izien filled in admirably at outside cornerback. It pays to be a versatile defensive back, and Izien held his own.

In the third quarter, he played tight coverage on wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus on third-and-5 to get the defense a stop.

After there were questions as to whether he would have much of a role this season, the second-year undrafted defensive back proved that he still offers plenty of value.