Thursday, 4 a.m.
Here’s the thing about the NFL playoffs. There is no player, no Buc and no Commander — who is looking at the mirror today and saying “I just have to be ordinary.”
In the playoffs, everyone is expected to be good. All of the resilient Bucs. All of the surging Commanders. The guy who makes the big turnover, or the guy who draws the big penalty, could send his entire team home for the off-season. The guy who breaks the big run, or who makes the crushing sack, could mean another day.
But as you look across the rosters of both teams, it is easy to wonder.
Of all the Bucs, who has to have the best day?
- Baker Mayfield, quarterback: This one is easy, because around here, it is Mayfield who stirs the drink. His grit is responsible for a lot of Bucs’ wins. You don’t throw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns otherwise. But flip back a year, and Mayfield had a mixed bag in his last playoff game against Detroit. He threw for 349 yards and three touchdowns. He also took four sacks and threw two interceptions. One of those came on Tampa Bay’s final drive. Mayfield’s opposite, Jayden Daniels, will be the runaway winner for Rookie of the Year, a man who can beat you with his arms or his legs.
2. Mike Evans, receiver: Evans has been the Bucs’ go-to receiver for more than a decade. This game, there will be an added twist. Covering Evans will be his long-time nemesis Marshon Lattimore, who has given Evans more headache than any defensive back in the league. Lattimore can be handsy, so how the game is called will make a difference.
3. Zyon McCollum, cornerback: McCollum isn’t yet one of those blanket corners, but he’s the best the Bucs’ have. He’s less likely than his teammates to fall into the Bucs’ soft coverage. He’ll have to cover Pro Bowl receiver Terry McLaurin a lot of the time.
4. Bucky Irving, running back: If you’re looking for the reason Mayfield’s numbers are better this year, it’s because of the running game that Irving provides. He’ll need to hang on in the playoffs. Washington linebacker Frankie Luvu will be a key figure in stopping him.
5. YaYa Diaby, outside linebacker: Someone will have to lead the Bucs in containing Daniels from escaping the pocket. Diaby has the athleticism to try.
6. Vita Vea, defensive tackle: Vea will be the key figure in stopping Washington’s running game. He’ll be lined up opposite Pro Bowl alternate center Tyler Biadasz.
7. Tristan Wirfs, offensive tackle: Wirfs is the best player of a better-than-expected line. He’ll have to stop, among others, Dante Fowler, another Pro Bowl alternate.
8. Jalen McMillian, wide receiver: He’s no Chris Godwin, but over the second half of the year, McMillan was terrific. If Lattimore does a good job on Evans, he’ll be more important.
9. Chris McLaughlin, kicker: Kicking is always important in the post-season, and McLaughlin is solid.
10. Shaq Barrett, outside linebacker: How about a hunch? There has to be a reason the Bucs snapped up Barrett again. A key sack would be helpful.