Week 1 – Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Recap
Washington Loses 37-20 in First Game of Daniels Era
September 9, 2024
By Noonefromtampa
First Quarter
Tampa Bay won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball. Despite the new kickoff rules, the result was a touchback. The Bucs were able to get a 56 yard field goal on their opening drive because Clelin Ferrell was called for a hands to the face penalty on third down after Baker Mayfield missed a wide open Jalen McMillan. McMillan also dropped a pass, again wide open, on third down forcing the field goal attempt by Chase McLaughlin.
After the kickoff, the Jayden Daniels era began. The first play was a backwards screen pass that went behind Brian Robinson, who chased the ball down and knocked it out of bounds for a 15 yard loss on a credited fumble by Daniels. They never climbed out of that hole and were forced to punt. Tress Way punted it 54 yards and Trey Palmer returned it 15 yards.
To start Tampa’s next drive, Mayfield completed passes to Mike Evans for 13 yards and 24 yards on third and six at the Washington 45 yard line. After a Bucs holding penalty, Daron Payne was able to put pressure on Mayfield on consecutive plays. The defense held and the Bucs were forced to kick another field goal.
Washington’s second possession went better, with Daniels scrambling for runs of 9 and 17 yards. A 21 yard completion to Robinson was negated by a questionable illegal block penalty, making it third and short. Daniels missed a throw to Olamide Zaccheaus to force a Cade York 47 yard field goal attempt, which was just wide right.
Tampa Bay 6 – Washington 0
Second Quarter
Despite consecutive 5 yard penalties which put the Bucs into a second and twelve position, they converted a third and seven with an 11 yard completion to Chris Godwin. After that, Mayfield hit two 19 yard completions to Palmer and Rachaad White. After the White catch, Mayfield hit Evans for a 17 yard touchdown who had Benjamin St-Juste draped all over him.
After Austin Ekeler returned the ensuing kickoff 24 yards, Robinson picked up two yards on a run. Daniels then picked up 16 yards scrambling and two plays later hit Ekeler for a 22 yard completion. After an incompletion, Daniels scrambled again for 23 yards and Antoine Winfield Jr. was called for a hit to the helmet to add on 12 more yards. Robinson scored two plays later on a hardnosed run. York converted the extra point.
York kicked the ball out of bounds on the kickoff to set the Bucs up at the 40 yard line. Mayfield converted three consecutive third and short situations with completions to Godwin for 5 yards, 14 yards and 9 yards respectively. After a false start, the Bucs were unable to convert on third down and kicked another field goal.
Washington took a knee to end the half.
Tampa Bay 16 – Washington 7
Third Quarter
Washington started the second half with a bomb to Terry McLaurin, but the pass was just beyond his grasp. After another incompletion, Tampa Bay was called for defensive holding on third down to give the Commanders a first down. Daniel completed a 5 yard pass to Jamison Crowder and then scrambled for 11 yards. After Daniels picked up 2 yards on fourth and one, he was strip-sacked for a 10 yard loss. Tyler Biadasz recovered the ball for Washington. Washington was unable to convert on third and 18 with Luke McCaffrey picking up only 8 yards. York then badly missed a 56 yard field goal attempt.
With the Bucs starting at their own 46 yard line, Mayfield connected with Bucky Irvins for 9 yards; then, on the next play White rushed for 15 yards up the middle of the defense. After stopping the Bucs on two straight plays, Emmanuel Forbes was called for defensive pass interference and facemask on the same play to give the Bucs the ball at the Washington 4 yard line. Godwin caught a touchdown on the next play over Mike Sainristil.
Washington went three and out, and had to punt the ball away.
Washington got its first defensive stop of the game on the next drive when Clelin Ferrell sacked Mayfield on third down to force the first Bucs’ punt of the day. Crowder fair caught the punt.
Washington had its best offensive drive of the game on the next drive. Zach Ertz caught a 9 yard pass from Daniels and Robinson ran for 6 yards. McLaurin caught a 6 yard pass and Robinson ran for 6 yards again. Then, Robinson went 32 yards down to the Bucs 1 yard line on a screen pass. Daniels took it in on the next play on a designed keeper. York converted the extra point
Tampa Bay 23 – Washington 14
Fourth Quarter
In a drive that started in the third quarter, it took the Bucs just 5 plays to go 72 yards to score another touchdown. The first big play on the drive was a 32 yard screen play to White which was called back for a penalty, but the penalty was overturned by the replay official. Three plays later, Mayfield hit a wide-open McMillan for a 32 yard touchdown on blown coverage.
Washington’s next drive started with an 11 yard completion to Ekeler. They picked up another first down on a defensive holding penalty. A 13 yard sack on second down put the Commanders in a situation they could not overcome.
On the next drive, for every negative play the Commanders’ defense made, the Bucs made a corresponding big play, including a 31 yard run by Irwin, a 24 yard screen to Godwin, and an 11 yard scramble by Mayfield. Most came on third down. The drive ended with 1 yard touchdown pass to Evans on a fade route over St-Juste.
Tampa Bay went to the prevent defense at this point. Daniels completed passes to 11 yards to McLaurin and 15 yards to Olamide Zaccheaus. Ekeler picked up 13 yards rushing and receiving. Daniels went on to complete passes to Ertz and McCaffrey to put the ball at the one. Two plays later Daniels scored his second rushing touchdown.
Tampa Bay ran out the clock after Washington’s failed onside kickoff attempt.
Tampa Bay 37 – Washington 14
Conclusions
The offensive line wasn’t great, but it wasn’t horrible either. It needs better talent at the tackle positions. The interior was decent, which was a departure from last season.
The defense looked as bad as last season though. There were miscommunications in the secondary and too many big plays given up by the front seven. Hopefully the coaching staff can fix that.
Forbes is turning out to be a horrible first round pick. Young, Dotson, and Forbes were zero for three. Thanks Ron.
Daniels took the first steps in his career, and it looks like we have our franchise quarterback finally. Just don’t run him so much and expose him to unnecessary hits.
For all those Washington fans who took the points and hoped for a close game: well it’s why they call it gambling.
Final thought – we’re probably better than the Giants and they can prove it next week at home.