Bucs vs. Commanders Week 1: Can Tampa Bay Receivers Exploit Washington Secondary?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will open the season in the welcoming confines of Raymond James Stadium. They face a revamped Washington Commanders squad led by new head coach Dan Quinn and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Going against a defensive guru like Quinn, the Bucs will need to be patient and careful with the ball, negating any opportunities for takeaways. Quinn's defenses have always thrived on having a nose for the ball, meaning the Bucs cannot play into their opponent's hand with careless mistakes.

However, he and the team will have to show vast improvement from a porous secondary display from a season ago. Heading into this matchup, that could be the Bucs most ideal area to exploit.

The Commanders defense allowed a league high 4,627 passing yards and 39 passing touchdowns in 2023. Though the regime has changed, the on-field product must demonstrate a turnaround.

Not one of their primary corners Benjamin St. Juste, Emmanuel Forbes or newcomer Michael Davis finished with a PFF grade over 60 last season.

Rookie nickel Mike Sainristil will get his first NFL run with Quan Martin and Jeremy Chinn slotting in at the safety spots. Altogether, there is a mystery about how different this group could look. Perhaps a new style changes those results.

Quinn's defensive backs tend to play aggressive in coverage and seek out the ball. That could be an issue lining up against Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, two of the league's best one-on-one receivers.

Adding rookie Jalen McMillan to that group furthers the intrigue given the ability he showcased in the preseason. The Bucs will want to set up the pass through their run game, but an effort should be made early on to get their explosive receivers the ball with space to create.

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As the Commanders' secondary navigates this new feel, Baker Mayfield will need to be sharp out of the gate. The Bucs offense will be handling its own changes with Liam Coen now at the helm, meaning Mayfield's role in orchestrating the show on field will prove essential to Tampa Bay's success.

If the Bucs starting offense showcases the efficiency that made their lone drive of the preseason look effortless, they could have a strong opening day, especially through the air.

But that will require them to protect the football, negating any momentum for the questionable secondary or Daniels' offense looking to find its footing.

The Bucs and Commanders will kickoff Sunday at 4:25 p.m. on FOX.