Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield shines on a shoddy Sunday of NFL passing
If you are an NFL fan who loves the passing game, Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season was probably not for you.
Quarterbacks and offenses largely struggled, and passing statistics were down compared to recent years. In particular, passing touchdowns dropped when compared with previous years. As noted by NFL analyst Steve Palazzolo, with Monday Night Football pending NFL QBs combined for 33 touchdown passes during Week 1, compared with 37 a season ago, and 51 back in 2022.
One quarterback who did his best to up that number, however, is Baker Mayfield. While other quarterbacks around the league struggled in Week 1, Mayfield shined, completing 24-of-30 passes for 289 yards and four touchdown passes in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders.
First, looking at Quarterback Efficiency around the league in Week 1 — a composite of Expected Points Added per Play and Completion Percentage Over Expected — you can see how Mayfield stood out on Sunday. This graphic was created by RBSDM.com:
The film largely backs up what Mayfield was able to do against the Commanders with decisive, consistent play. His first touchdown pass, a vertical route to Mike Evans, was a case of Mayfield scanning the defense, identifying the single coverage over Evans, and giving his receiver a chance to make a play on the vertical route:
In the third quarter, Mayfield connected with Chris Godwin for his second touchdown pass of the day. With Tampa Bay facing a 1st and goal at the Washington 4-yard line, the Buccaneers ran a switch concept to the left side, and the rub created when Godwin and Evans released off the line created all the space Mayfield needed to connect with Godwin for the score:
Mayfield’s third touchdown toss against Washington came as a result of a breakdown in the secondary. Tampa Bay runs a three-receiver concept to the right side of the field, with tight end Cade Otton running a little curl route. Rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan comes in short motion, moving inside Godwin, and runs a deep corner route while Godwin releases to the flat.
Washington loses McMillan in coverage, and Mayfield takes advantage for the 32-yard touchdown:
The final TD toss? Another example of giving Evans a chance to win a one-on-one matchup, this time on a goal-line fade:
However, Mayfield’s two best throws of the afternoon might not have gone for touchdowns but exemplified the decisiveness and confidence the Buccaneers passer brought to the table against the Commanders. On this play, Tampa Bay faces a 3rd and 6 at the Washington 45-yard line, and they dial up a deep concept with Otton on a post route, and Evans running a corner route. Watch as Mayfield delivers this throw with perfect timing and anticipation:
As soon as Mayfield’s right foot hits the final step in his drop, the QB begins his hitch and gets the ball out, a perfect display of rhythm passing from a quarterback.
Mayfield showed the same timing and rhythm on this deep out route to Trey Palmer:
Passing production might have been down across the league in Week 1, but it was not for lack of trying on Mayfield’s part. The Tampa Bay quarterback, and offense, picked up where they left off a season ago when they stormed to the NFC South title, and into the Divisional Round after knocking off the Philadelphia Eagles on Wild Card Weekend.
That performance should put the rest of the NFC on notice that the Bucs might be back.
