The Bucs were in “must-win” mode as they faced the Titans, having not won a game in 42 days. They needed big plays from big playmakers and a “Most Impressive” list that would dwarf their “Most Disappointing.” They accomplished that goal as several facets of their team showed up well in a 20-6 win. Here are the Bucs’ most impressive.

Bucs RB Rachaad White – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

RB Rachaad White

White got the scoring started for the Bucs after collecting a screen pass from Baker Mayfield and proceeded to scamper 43 yards for a touchdown to give the Bucs a lead in the second quarter they would never relinquish. That play would give the Bucs the jolt they needed to start slowly, methodically, and begin to create separation between the two teams.

White’s stat line won’t show it, 20 carries for 51 yards and two catches for 47 yards and that big touchdown, but late in the game White was able to help pick up enough first downs to allow the Bucs’ offense to score twice and create a 14-point lead late in the 2nd half.

QB Baker Mayfield

Mayfield was not perfect on the day. Never mind the interception, which was on 3rd and 18 out of field goal range and acted as an “arm-punt”. Mayfield missed several throws he should have made. BUT…he also made several good decisions, and some tight window throws en route to a solid offensive performance. And let’s not forget that his final stat line, 18-29 for 278 yards and two touchdowns to that one interception, would have looked much better had Mike Evans caught the easy pass in the end zone in the 2nd half that eventually led to a Bucs field goal.

Mayfield found Godwin on several tight window throws, including a 17-yarder in the third quarter that led to a Bucs touchdown. But it was Mayfield’s connection with Evans, who he found consistently downfield that allowed the Bucs’ offense to find enough of a footing to dig out the win. Mayfield hit Evans on passes of 20, 15 and 16 yards before the two finally hit really big on a 43-yarder and a 20-yard touchdown.

On White’s touchdown, Mayfield made an incredible play after faking a play-action to avoid the pass rush that was on him too quickly just enough to get the ball to White who did the rest. Mayfield’s ability to evade defenders who would otherwise sack him has been one of his best traits all year.

Ultimately Mayfield was able to own the intermediate-to-deep portion of the field more often than not which helped the Bucs score the two touchdowns they needed to win the game.

WR Mike Evans

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: USA Today

Evans had several plays on the day that could have qualified him for our Most Disappointing list. But on the whole, Evans made several catches in big moments that opened up the Bucs offense and allowed them to get enough points to win the day.

Six catches on 10 targets for 143 yards and a score is a great day at the office. Evans victimized Titans cornerback Roger McCreary routinely with catch after catch. The Tampa Bay receiver was also able to induce a defensive holding penalty from McCreary in the second half as the Titans defender had no answers for the Bucs’ veteran receiver.

WR Chris Godwin

Godwin had a demure day from a statistical production standpoint, but three of his four catches were for first downs and almost every catch was of the contested catch variety. Four catches, 54 yards and several extended drives helped keep the Bucs offense on schedule throughout the game. Godwin is a safety net that Mayfield trusts to find when he needs a difficult first down and Godwin consistently comes through for his quarterback.

Bucs Front Seven

After losing last week on a last-minute drive where he failed to send any extra pressure, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles sent the house all day after Titans quarterback Will Levis. In fact, Bowles sent several houses. He sent the whole damn neighborhood. And it worked and then some. The Bucs kept Levis under assault all game, as the defense finished the game with 10 tackles for loss, four sacks, and 13(!) quarterback hits.

Bucs DT Calijah Kancey – Photo By: Cliff Welch P/R

This was a quintessential Todd Bowles game as the Bucs’ pass rush was aided by just about everyone. Defensive tackle Vita Vea led the way with two tackles, two quarterback hits and a sack. Fellow defensive tackle Calijah Kancey was a force up the middle with several pressures, three tackles, two tackles for loss and two quarterback hits. Outside linebackers Yaya Diaby and Shaq Barrett contributed with a sack a piece.

The Bucs linebackers had big games as well. In a game plan that was tailor-made for his strengths, Devin White spent much of the game as an add-on rusher. He made the most of those opportunities with multiple quarterback pressures and a sack of his own. Meanwhile, Lavonte David contributed with five tackles, two for a loss, and a pass defended that could have been an interception.

Most importantly though, the Bucs front seven, with contributions from the secondary at times was able to keep the Titans running game in check, holding Derrick Henry and Tyjae Spears to just 42 yards on 16 carries for the day. It was a defensive clinic for Bowles and his prized unit and a great bounce-back from an embarrassing showing the week prior.

CB Jamel Dean

Don’t make a scene, Jamel Dean was tasked with shutting down Titans premier receiver De’Andre Hopkins. Hopkins, a big, physical, contested-catch monster was unable to create separation against Dean throughout much of the game. And then late, when the Titans needed to move the ball through the air and resorted to forcing shots downfield to Hopkins the veteran pass-catcher attempted to induce Dean into grabbing in hopes of drawing defensive pass interference. Dean wouldn’t bite, refusing to put his hands on Hopkins while still blanketing him. The results were positive for Dean and the Bucs as he was able to prevent Hopkins from making a catch on the final couple of drives and putting the final nail in the Texans’ coffin.