Mayfield, Evans lead Bucs to a 2-0 record

by Gary Shelton on September 18, 2023

in general

Bears couldn't cover Evans./TIM WIRT

Monday, 4 a.m.

When the topic turned to Baker Mayfield, everyone seemed to be in agreement. The views were not kind.

He was used up, the critics said. He had stayed too long at the fair. He turned the ball over too much, and he generally threw too short, and he didn’t win often enough. Baker was yesterday’s news.

But look at him now.



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Mayfield — and the Tampa Bay Bucs — are 2-0 on the season. They beat Chicago soundly Sunday, 27-17. More and more, this looks like Mayfield’s team.

"When we grow in this offense, continue to get better and better, we're going to be able to do whatever we want," Mayfield said. "Teams can gameplay however they want against us, they can roll coverage over to (Mike) Evans, but that means Chris (Godwin) is going to have a one on one. We have a really good skill group. We just have to keep growing as a unit."

He was 26 of 34 for 327 yards, and for the second straight week, he didn’t have a turnover. He led the Bucs to 437 yards of total offense.

It was a convincing win by the Bucs, who got 171 yards receiving from Mike Evans and 73 yards rushing from Rachaad White. The Bucs sacked Chicago quarterback Justin Fields six times.

The Bucs, who were accused of preparing to tank only two weeks ago, have been sharp for two weeks. They held the Bears to just 236 yards.

"We feel like if we don't shoot ourselves in the foot, we have a chance to win every week," said coach Todd Bowles.

Outside linebacker Shaq Barrett sealed the win for the Bucs with a four-yard interception return for a touchdown late in the game.

The Bus are home a week from tonight against the Philadelphia Eagles at 7:15 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium,

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