‘We’re Facing the Redskins!' Bucs’ Todd Bowles

As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gear up to host the Washington Commanders in their season opener, head coach Todd Bowles inadvertently set the stage for Sunday’s game with an unexpected throwback.

While addressing the media, Bowles, who played seven of his eight NFL seasons with the then-Washington Redskins, twice referred to his Week 1 opponent by their old name.

“We’re facing the Redskins, not just Jayden Daniels,” Bowles said , emphasizing the challenge presented by the entire Commanders roster and not just their rookie quarterback. “They got 10 other guys we gotta worry about, so we’re not looking at it as facing the rookie quarterback; we’re trying to beat the Redskins.”

Bowles' slip serves as a reminder of his deep-rooted history with Washington, but his focus remains firmly on leading the Buccaneers to a strong start in 2024.

The Buccaneers are coming off a challenging season with a disappointing 3.3 yards per carry. However, this year's preseason saw marked improvement, with the Bucs increasing to 4.4 yards per carry. With the arrival of new offensive coordinator Liam Coen and key additions like first-round pick Graham Barton at center and running back Bucky Irving, the Bucs are poised for a more dynamic ground game.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield , who signed a three-year, $100 million contract in the offseason, is expected to play a crucial role against a Washington defense that allowed the most passing yards and touchdowns last season. Mayfield has an opportunity to exploit these weaknesses and prove his critics wrong in his first regular-season start for Tampa Bay.

Related: Bowles Reveals Week 1 Top Challenge: 'No Idea What The Other Team's Going To Do!'

Offensively, the spotlight will also be on center Graham Barton and running back Rachaad White . Barton, the anchor of the new-look offensive line, will need to excel against a strong Washington defensive front. Meanwhile, White is set to be the featured back and will be key in establishing the run, aiming to reach the second level of the Commanders' defense to open up the Buccaneers' offensive playbook.

With the Buccaneers aiming to make a statement against the Commanders, the pressure is on to prove they are ready for a deep playoff push. Sunday’s game is not just an opportunity to start the season with a win, but to demonstrate that this team is here to stay.