It’s time for Scott Reynolds’ 2-Point Conversion post-game column, which features two statements, two questions and two predictions based on the latest Bucs game.

The Bucs lost the turnover battle 4:1 in Cincinnati, and that proved to be costly in a 33-27 loss to the Bengals in Week 1. Baker Mayfield fumbled three times, including one that led directly to a Bengals touchdown and helped Cincinnati build a 21-3 lead. But a daring pick-six from rookie inside linebacker Josiah Trotter cut the Bengals’ lead in the third quarter to 27-20 and put Tampa Bay within striking distance.

Ultimately the Bucs lost by six points despite being minus-3 in the turnover margin and begin the season 0-1 heading into a Week 2 home opener against the 0-1 Cleveland Browns.

2 BIG STATEMENTS

STATEMENT 1. A Star Is Born In Week 1 With Josiah Trotter’s Bucs Debut

While most Bucs fans were excited about the NFL debut of first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr., it was second-round selection Josiah Trotter that stole the show in Cincinnati. Just moments after recording his first career sack – and Tampa Bay’s lone sack – Trotter read the eyes of Joe Burrow and stepped in front of receiver Andrei Iosivas and intercepted Joe Burrow, returning it 38 yards for a pick-six. With the Bucs trailing 27-13 at the time, Trotter’s big play energized the Bucs sidelines, quieted the crowd in Cincy, cut the Bengals’ lead to just seven points and made history.

“Yeah, just from the film study and just trusting it,” Trotter said. “We got one like that I remember in practice, and we completed it. So, I just trusted it and trusted my eyes, just execute and try and do my job.”

Not only was Trotter one of two NFL players over the last 10 years to record a sack, an interception and have at least five tackles in their NFL debut – joining Steelers All-Pro T.J. Watt – but the Missouri product also became the only player in NFL history to record a sack and a pick-six in his first NFL game. There was some buzz within the walls of One Buccaneer Place that Trotter might end up being the best rookie in this draft class – even better than Bain.

Time will ultimately tell how that plays out – and hopefully both Bain and Trotter can be studs for the Bucs. But round one certainly went to Trotter, who also led the Bucs in tackles with 10 on Sunday, including seven solo tackles.

Trotter got better as training camp went on. He got more reps with the starters due to SirVocea Dennis’ groin injury and Christian Rozeboom’s foot injury, and that only accelerated his learning curve. Trotter dropped a would-be interception against the Jets in a joint practice before the preseason opener. Two weeks later in a joint practice in Jacksonville, the rookie made a sensational interception off Trevor Lawrence.

“I’m just blessed to be out there and have the opportunity to be out there,” Trotter said after Sunday’s 33-27 loss to the Bengals. “I wish I could’ve done more – a lot of stuff to clean up. Ultimately, we don’t win the game, so we’ve got to continue to do more, try to make more plays. I’m just blessed, thank God I was able to go out there and play, and make some plays.”

Bucs ILB Josiah Trotter – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Trotter’s debut in red and pewter wasn’t perfect, but it was damn good. In fact, it was great – and hopefully a sign of things to come for the promising rookie. I had my doubts about Trotter’s ability to take the ball away before the draft because he only had one interception and no forced fumbles or fumble recoveries in two years of college football. Trotter erased a lot of doubts on Sunday.

In a previous Pewter Pulse video back in August, I said that Trotter was giving off Hardy Nickerson vibes. After Sunday I stand by that statement because the muscle-bound Bucs rookie middle linebacker made one hell of a statement in Cincinnati

STATEMENT 2. Bucs Cornerbacks Looked Great, Far From Being A Weak Link In Week 1

If I would have told you before kickoff in the 2026 season opener that Joe Burrow would pass for 254 yards with one touchdown and one interception and that wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase would have just three catches for 59 yards and two receptions for 12 yards, respectively, you would have thought that the Bucs would have won on Sunday in Cincinnati, right? Well, you would have been wrong.

But you would have also thought the Bucs cornerbacks – thought to be weak link on defense entering the season – would have played exceptionally well against Chase and Higgins. And you would have been right.

Bucs CBs Zyon McCollum and Keionte Scott – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Zyon McCollum, Jacob Parrish, Benjamin Morrison and Keionte Scott played really well in Cincinnati and may have eased some fears about how the cornerback room will fare this year due to a lot of inexperience. Scott is a rookie, Parrish and Morrison are second-year players, and McCollum is the seasoned veteran, but needs a bounce-back season after a down year in 2025.

McCollum had two pass breakups and nine tackles, including eight solo, while Parrish had a pass breakup and a pair of tackles before leaving the game with a back injury. Morrison replaced Parrish and fared well with four tackles, including a tackle for loss and a pass breakup.

“I think it set us up for the season in terms of how to prepare, how to watch tape, how serious to take each and every week,” McCollum said. “Those are All-Pro guys, and that’s a talented offense, so we need to carry some of that momentum going in, clean up some of the small things. Like I said, it’s a long season.”

We’ll see how the season plays out, but so far, so great for Tampa Bay’s young cornerback room. Such a pleasant surprise and a positive development despite the Week 1 loss.

2 PROBING QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1. Where Was The Bucs’ Pass Rush?

Outside of three fumbles by quarterback Baker Mayfield and a fumble by running back Bucky Irving, the biggest concern coming out of Tampa Bay’s Week 1 loss at Cincinnati had to be the lack of pass rush from the front seven. The Bucs only recorded one sack, which was on a blitz from middle linebacker Josiah Trotter, and Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow looked like he had plenty of time to throw the ball, as he completed 25-of-35 passes for 254 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

The much-hyped debut of Rueben Bain Jr. was a flop statistically, as the rookie had plenty of “welcome to the NFL” moments on Sunday. Bain had one tackle and didn’t record a single pressure as he was often swallowed up by 6-foot-8, 350-pound right tackle Amarius Mims, a 2024 first-round pick out of Georgia. But he wouldn’t be the only non-factor upfront against Burrow.

Yaya Diaby had one tackle and no QB hits. Entering a contract year in 2026, Diaby was practically invisible on Sunday. Defensive tackle Calijah Kancey had a couple of decent rushes, but the rest of the defensive line, including Vita Vea, newcomers A’Shawn Robinson and Rakeem Nunez-Roches, and Elijah Roberts were non-factors. Robinson had five tackles and a QB hit, Nunez-Roches had one tackle while

QUESTION 2. Are Chris Godwin Jr. And Bucky Irving Back?

I thought that the arrival of Kenny Gainwell was going to cut into Bucky Irving’s production as both a runner and a receiver in 2026. One week into the 2026 season and I’m wrong to start the year. Irving shined as the lead back in Cincinnati and looks like he’s back in 2024 form after shoulder and foot injuries cut into his production last year.

In Tampa Bay’s Week 1 loss, Irving led the Bucs with eight carries for 45 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. He also caught all seven of his targets in the passing game, which tied a career high, for 48 yards. With 93 total yards, Irving is back with a vengeance it seems.

The same could be said for wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr., who mustered only 33 catches for 360 yards and two touchdowns in nine games last year while battling back from a gruesome, season-ending fractured ankle in 2024. Godwin was healthy all of training camp and looked closer to the 2024 version of himself as a result.

In his 10th season, Godwin had four catches for 40 yards in Week 1, including a 30-yard catch-and-run, which was the Bucs’ longest play of the day from scrimmage. Godwin also threw a pair of wicked stiff arms in the game, too.

The Bucs offense has the potential to score more than just the 20 points it put up in Cincinnati. But given the fact that Irving and Godwin are healthy and appear to be playing more like the 2024 versions of themselves that seems totally doable in the weeks to come.

2 BOLD PREDICTIONS

PREDICTION 1. Bounce-Back Game For Baker Mayfield, Alex Anzalone vs. Cleveland

Baker Mayfield was his own worst enemy on Sunday. That was evident with three fumbles – two of which came on two of the four times he was sacked in Cincinnati. Most of those sacks Mayfield took were his own fault for holding on to the ball too long. Mayfield the passer was pretty good outside of those three costly turnovers. He completed 23-of-28 passes (82.1%) for 216 yards and also ran for 30 yards and a touchdown on five carries.

Mayfield has had the Cleveland game in Week 2 circled on the schedule for some time. I expect him to be locked in and to be a better version of himself in a bounce-back performance versus the Browns, as the Bucs bounce back and get a win in the home opener.

I also expect linebacker Alex Anzalone to bounce back as well. The 31-year veteran had an awful debut in Todd Bowles defense with several coverage busts and missed tackles. Anzalone slipped quite a few times on the turf in Cincinnati, which didn’t help. The 31-year old linebacker, who was signed to replace Lavonte David and was chosen to be a team captain can’t be that bad, right? Right?

I’m predicting a bounce-back game for Anzalone, too. Hopefully.

PREDICTION 2. If The Bucs Lose, Press The Panic Button

The Todd Bowles haters were out in force following Sunday’s Week 1 loss. It’s too early for anyone to call for him to fired, though. The NFL season is a marathon – not a sprint. I get it. Dating back to last year, the Bucs are now 2-8 in their last 10 games under Bowles.

But with the Browns coming off a 34-10 shellacking at the hands of the Jaguars and not showing much promise on offense or defense, trailing 31-0 at one point, the Bucs should win next week’s home opener. A 1-1 start isn’t the worst thing in the world, especially when you consider this team’s history during the Bucs’ two Super Bowl seasons.

Not that I am predicting the Bucs to go to the Super Bowl this year!

But if the Browns somehow upset the Bucs at home next week, I will predict that panic will ensue throughout Tampa Bay. If the Bucs start 0-2, Bowles will immediately be on the hot seat and you can press the panic button.

Actually, smash it if Tampa Bay doesn’t win and improve to 1-1.