In the Buccaneers nail-biting 20-16 rousing victory over the Lions in Week Two, veteran Chris Godwin spearheaded the offensive efforts between the hash marks. He finished the first half with seven receptions for 117 receiving yards and one touchdown – the third-most yards posted in any single half of his career, and the most he has accrued since 2019. The Penn State product averaged 16.7 yards per catch and ignited the offensive attack early in the Lions' den.
In the second quarter, Godwin became the go-to catalyst for Mayfield. Twice on the six-play, 70-yard scoring drive, Mayfield rolled out of the pocket and found Godwin for gains of 17 and 11 yards – both resulted in critical first downs. It was only fitting that Godwin capped off the drive with a touchdown. The Bucs' staff has made more of an emphasis to get the ball to 14 in the red zone with schemed plays and this one came to fruition with a masterful play call by Liam Coen.
Mayfield hit Godwin down the left sideline for a 41-yard score, giving the Bucs' a 13-6 advantage. Originally lined up from the slot, Godwin delayed his release, making the defender think he was the decoy as a blocker on a chip, then he turned on the jets and sped past the Lions' defensive back once he bit. No. 14 streaked down the left sideline to give the Buccaneers an extended lead.
"It was a good play call by Liam [Coen]," noted Godwin. "It was a play to take advantage of the defense and how to bait them off the release, and I tried to sell a block and then once I triggered, he got behind me. It worked out perfectly because no one was really over the top and the linebacker was late."
In his full-time role in the slot in 2024, Godwin has taken advantage of free releases and two-way go's. The physical receiver uses his frame to box out defenders and his tough disposition to combat smaller defensive backs in nickel packages. Godwin helped build momentum in the first half in Detroit and energized the offense in front of a raucous crowd inside Ford Field. He is on pace for a record-setting year in 2024 and has performed at peak form through the first two weeks of the 2024 slate. Godwin recognizes how to adjust routes based on the pre-snap position of defenders. When Mayfield is forced out of the pocket, Godwin finds the open zone. He is an effective blocker out of 11 personnel, not providing a tell to the defense, with a powerful punch. With an unrivaled dedication to his craft, Godwin continues to ascend. His performance against the Lions is likely a harbinger of things to come for No. 14.
