Buccaneers defeat Commanders 37-20 in dominant season opener in Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Football is finally back and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were eager to set a precedent with back-to-back season opener victories.

After leading the Bucs to an upset over Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings on the road, starting quarterback and team captain Baker Mayfield is on the hunt for another dominant season — especially under first-year offensive coordinator Liam Coen.

FINAL SCORE: Commanders 20 – Buccaneers 37

1:16: TOUCHDOWN. Daniels takes the ball in for a 1-yard touchdown. Commanders attempt a two-point conversion but the attempt fails. Bucs lead 37-20.

1:38: Daniels ran for a 1-yard touchdown, but the call was reversed.

2:01: Daniels to Etrz for 12 yards.

3:09: Daniels passes short to Zaccheaus for 15 yards.

3:34: MIKE! Mayfield passes to Evans for a 1-yard TOUCHDOWN. The extra point is good and the Bucs lead 37-14.

5:48: HOW DID HE ESCAPE? Mayfield weaves around defenders to scramble for 11 yards.

8:24: CHRIS GODWIN. Mayfield passes short right to Godwin who takes off for 24 yards.

10:27: BUCKY ON THE RUN. Irving picks up 31 yards.

11:57: Daniels passes short to Ekeler for 12 yards.

12:41: SACKED! Bucs’ Dennis sacks Daniels for a 13-yard loss.

14:55: Camarda kicks 65 yards for a touchback. Illegal Formation called on Washington.

15:00: THE ROOKIE GETS IT DONE!! Mayfield launches the ball deep to McMillan for a 32-yard TOUCHDOWN!! Bucs extend the lead 30-14.

End of the third quarter: Commanders 14 – Buccaneers 23

1:12: Mayfield passes short to White who goes on the run for 32 yards.

1:55: Daniels runs it in for a 1-yard touchdown and the extra point is good. Bucs still lead 23-14.

2:34: Daniels passes short to Robinson for 32 yards.

5:39: Mayfield gets taken down by Commanders’ Ferrell for a 9-yard loss.

7:12: CHRIS GODWIN!!! Mayfield goes to Godwin for a 4-yard TOUCHDOWN. The extra point is good and the Bucs extend their lead 23-7.

7:20: Mayfield throws incomplete deep left to McMillan. Pass interference called on Washington. Face Mask also called on Commanders.

8:42: White carries the ball for 15 yards.

9:26: NO GOOD. Commanders attempt a 56-yard field goal and it’s no good. Bucs 16, Commanders 7.

10:51: SHOYINKA AGAIN! Tryon-Shoyinka sacks Daniels again for a 9-yard loss. The ball was fumbled and recovered by Washington. Bucs’ Lavonte David was injured during the play.

14:15: Daniels scrambles right for 11 yards.

14:51: SACKED! Bucs’ Joe Tryon-Shoyinka takes down Daniels for a 2-yard loss.

15:00: Camarda kicks 65 yards to T 35 to the end zone for a touchback.

INJURY UPDATE: Bucs’ cornerback Bryce Hall is out with an ankle injury.

End of the second quarter: Commanders 7 – Buccaneers 16

0:20: AND IT’S GOOD! McLaughlin nails a 29-yard field goal. Buccaneers 16, Commanders 7.

0:28: False Start called on Bucs’ tight end Cade Otton.

3:53: Mayfield goes to Godwin for 14 yards.

7:17: Mayfield passes short to Evans for 6 yards.

INJURY UPDATE: Buccaneers’ cornerback Zyon McCollum has been ruled out with a concussion.

7:23: Robinson takes the ball in for a 7-yard touchdown. Bucs’ Antoine Winfield Jr. was close to stopping the run. Buccaneers still lead 13-7.

8:29: Daniels scrambles right for 12 yards. Unnecessary Roughness called on Bucs’ Hall.

9:24: Daniels passes short middle to Ekeler for 22 yards.

10:10: Daniels scrambles left for 16 yards.

10:59: TOUCHDOWN. MIKE. EVANS. Mayfield goes deep to Evans for a 17-YARD TOUCHDOWN!! Tampa extends their lead 13-0.

11:44: Mayfield goes to White for 19 yards.

12:26: White takes the ball, but gets pushed back for a loss of 2.

13:02: Mayfield passes deep right to Palmer for 19 yards.

13:41: Mayfield hands off to Irving, but he gets pushed back for a 4-yard loss.

14:22: LET HIM BAKE!! Mayfield, on the run, passes short middle to Godwin for 11 yards and a first down.

15:00: False Start called on Bucs’ Trey Palmer.

15:00: False Start called on Bucs’ Luke Goedeke.

End of the first quarter: Commanders 0 – Buccaneers 6

0:16: Bucs’ rookie running back Bucky Irving runs the ball for 8 yards.

0:20: NO GOOD! Commanders’ York attempts a 47-yard field goal and it’s NO GOOD. Bucs keep the lead 6-0.

0:45: Daniels passes short to Robinson for 21 yards. Illegal Block Above the Waist called on Washington.

2:40: Daniels scrambles to the left for 17 yards.

5:11: MCLAUGHLIN! The Bucs add 3 to the board with a 34-yard field goal.

6:59: Mayfield passes short left to Godwin for 14 yards. Holding called on Bucs’ Trey Palmer.

8:12: M1K3!!! Mayfield goes deep to Evans for a 24-yard completion.

8:12: Penalty called on Washington for having too man men on the field.

9:30: Mayfield to Mike Evans for 13 yards.

10:17: Daniels scrambles left end for 4 yards before being pushed out by Bucs’ Jamel Dean.

11:34: Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels fumbles at WAS 21 — touched at the 19 and out of bounds at the 15.

11:39: Bucs are on the board first with a 56-yard field goal. Bucs 3, Commanders 0.

13:45: Mayfield goes to Chris Godwin for 11 yards.

13:49: Mayfield throws incomplete to rookie Jalen McMillan. Illegal Use of Hands called on Commanders’ Ferrell.

14:23: Mayfield goes to Rachaad White, who picks up 5 yards.

15:00: Commanders’ York kicks 65 yards from WAS 35 to end zone for a touchback.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.