The Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell to the Washington Commanders, 23-20, as Zane Gonzalez kicked a 37-yarder as time expired. Baker Mayfield completed 15 of 18 attempts for 185 yards and two touchdowns for a 146.5 rating. Mike Evans led the Bucs in receiving with 92 yards on seven receptions and a touchdown.
The Buccaneers opening 38-yard drive culminated in a Chase McLaughlin 50-yard field goal following an incompletion to Jalen McMillan on third down. The Commanders got on the scoreboard in the second quarter, capping off a 17-play, 92-yard drive with a Jayden Daniels 10-yard touchdown pass to Dyami Brown in the back of the end zone. The nine-minute drive, including a fourth-down conversion, gave Washington a 7-3 advantage. Late in the second, Zane Gonzalez kicked a 52-yard field goal after Zyon McCollum forced an incompletion to Terry McLaurin on third down.
The Bucs scored just before halftime. On the 74-yard drive, Mayfield hit Cade Otton and Mike Evans over the middle of the field for respective gains of 12 and 20 yards. Evans drew a defensive pass interference penalty on Marshon Lattimore, which set the Bucs up at the one-yard-line. Evans faked on his release like he was going to work outside to catch the fade, then went inside on a slant for the score to tie the game at 10.
To begin the third quarter, the Commanders marched down the field and Jamel Deam broke up a pass in the red zone intended for McLaurin, which forced a Gonzalez 22-yard field goal. The Bucs responded with a score of their own, as Mayfield hit Bucky Irving in the flat on a four-yard touchdown pass. Tampa Bay was able to get their ground game rolling on the drive, as Irving had gains of five, six, 19 and 10 yards. Whether between the tackles or bouncing to the outside, Irving showcased his shifty footwork.
After a sensational third-down catch by Evans including a backwards arm-extension for the first, a Bucs' fumble was recovered by Bobby Wagner at the Tampa Bay 13-yard line in the fourth. The Commanders were able to cash in with seven, as Daniels found McLaurin in the back of the end zone from fourth-and-two.
On the ensuing drive for Tampa Bay, Mayfield connected with Jalen McMillan over the middle of the field on a comeback for a gain of 26 and Cade Otton picked up 20 off a chip-and-release. After Irving lost two on third down and an offsides penalty was not called, McLaughlin drilled a 32-yard field goal to tie the game at 20. For the Commanders, Gonzalez made a 37-yard field goal as time expired to ice the win.
TOP PERFORMERS 🏈
Buccaneers:
- Passing: QB Baker Mayfield: 15/18 for 185 yards - 2 TDs
- Rushing: RB Bucky Irving: 17 rushes for 77 yards
- Receiving: WR Mike Evans: 7 catches for 92 yards - 1 TD
- Defense: LB Lavonte David: 8 totals tackles - 1.0 sack
Commanders
- Passing: QB Jayden Daniels: 22/34 for 268 yards - 2 TDs
- Rushing: QB Jayden Daniels: 13 rushes for 36 yards
- Receiving: WR Terry McLaurin: 7 catches for 89 yards - 1 TD
- Defense: LB Bobby Wagner: 8 total tackles, 1 fumble recovery - 0.5 sack
