HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On the health status of DL Logan Hall and CB Zyon McCollum)

"They were limited. They ran around. I've got to see a lot more towards the end of the week."

(On the health status of CB Josh Hayes)

"He didn't practice today. We'll see how he feels towards the end [of the week]."

(On the prognosis for Hayes' ankle)

"Sore."

(On the team bringing back CB Keenan Isaac and if he feels like that is enough to get by this weekend)

"So far. I mean, you can't have any more hits at that position. Keenan knows the system, he's played in it all summer. He had a decent [training] camp and summer, so I feel comfortable with him going in there having to play, if he has to play."

(On if he believes CB Zyon McCollum will play on Sunday if he keeps trending how he has been)

"He only did a little bit today. We'll see how he comes along."

(On if the reason the Buccaneers lost both meetings to the Lions last year was because of the turnover differential)

"It's part of it. Any time you win the turnover battle, you're going to win some ballgames. They made more plays than we did, overall – offensively, defensively, and special teams-wise. You can look at any part of the game once you lose a ball game like that. The other team made plays and you didn't. They made them, we didn't."

(On OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka's performance in Week 1)

"He just played a good game. It's fundamentals and technique. You've got to get better at that every week. Having that for the first game…It's a long journey, [he's] just got to keep getting better."

(On if the Detroit Lions might have the best offense in the NFL)

"They're talented all the way around, no question about it. It's game two – I'm sure they'll tell you the same thing. They can hurt you a lot of ways – running the ball or throwing the ball. Any one of their receivers, tight ends, or [running] backs can hurt you. They're a very talented team."

(On Detroit's offensive line)

"[They are] tough. [They are] experienced, tough, don't get fooled much at all, [they] understand the game and they play well together."

(On what makes Detroit QB Jared Goff difficult to defend against)

"He makes plays. I mean, he's got a lot of weapons to go to, he understands the offense, he knows when to check it down, when to throw it deep, he's very comfortable in the system. Like I said, he's talented and he has a lot of talent around him."

(On what kind of player DB Christian Izien is)

"He was a safety in college. He's the same way. He's feisty, he's tough, he's going to be around the ball and he's going to compete."

(On where he would rank Detroit QB Jared Goff in terms of toughest quarterbacks to face)

"He's one of the toughest ones. He beat us twice last year. He's very tough. He was tough when he was with the Rams. He's a good player. I don't have a ranking for anybody, but he's a very good player."

(On if OLB Yaya Diaby was 'shaking off the rust' on Sunday against the Commanders)

"Yeah. I mean, he played hard and he played fast. It'll get better as the weeks go on – we're comfortable with that – but he's playing hard and that's what we liked about him."

(On what last year's playoff game against the Lions can mean to this year's team in terms of the atmosphere of the building)

"Absolutely nothing. That was last year in the playoffs and it knocked us out. We're 1-0 and we're trying to win a ballgame to go 2-0."

(On what he expects from Detroit WR Amon-Ra St. Brown after he recorded 10+ catches and 100+ yards in both games against the Buccaneers last season)

"Hopefully not what you just said. He's a great player. I mean, he's a great player. He's quick, he's fast, he can run jet sweeps, he can run deep, he's a route-runner – but they've got a bunch of them over there. Like I said, they're a talented team. We don't really expect [anything] out of them but to run their offense. We've got to play well, defensively."

(On OLB Chris Braswell Jr.'s NFL debut)

"He played hard. There were some things he can clean up just like everybody there on defense – offensively, as well. He played hard, he's tough, and he's getting better by the week. The more comfortable he gets, the faster he's going to play. We're pleased with his results."

(On QB Baker Mayfield having the second-fastest time to throw in Week 1)

"It's a great job of him processing and throwing to the right guys and getting rid of the ball and those guys getting open and the O-line blocking for him."

(On WR Chris Godwin bringing in a touchdown in Week 1)

"It is [a point of emphasis] – it is for all receivers [and] running backs, as well. For each of the starting three [wide receivers] to touch the end zone this week was great."

(On WR Jalen McMillan bringing in a touchdown catch after dropping a pass early on)

"[My confidence] has never wavered. He's going to have some dropped passes – he's human. We know he's a great player. He has outstanding hands. He's going to get better every week and we're pleased with him."

(On NFL Network personality Brian Baldinger saying that the way C Graham Barton was blocking in his NFL debut was reminiscent of former Philadelphia C Jason Kelce)

"I'll ask 'Baldy' the next time I see him. Graham is tough – that's why we drafted him No. 1. He's got some things to learn, but we like his feistiness and aggressiveness."

(On if he's excited about this week's matchup against the Lions)

[whispers] "I'm excited."

QUARTERBACK BAKER MAYFIELD

(On what enabled him to be so efficient and complete 80% of passes in the first game of the season)

"I think [it was] just everybody being on the same page. Everything that we talked about with the game plan, all the practice reps and stuff that we've had in the offseason and training camp and then into that last week's prep – just being on the same page with timing, landmarks and things like that. The guys did a great job."

(On if this upcoming game at Detroit is a game where he and the offense cannot afford to turn the ball over)

"Yeah. Obviously, you never want to turn the ball over but if you look at… I'm not an analytics guy by any means, but on the road stats – if you turn the ball over, your chances of winning severely drops. It always has to be a key point of emphasis, especially in an environment like that. You can't let them build momentum off things like that. Thinking back and looking back at the games from last year, offensively, we just didn't make enough plays. We didn't sustain drives, we didn't make the big plays, especially in the home game here. So yeah, every season is a new season but looking back and seeing the shots that we missed – it's frustrating to see, but I'm excited about the group that we have and going in to see how we handle this adversity, the environment and all that."

(On his view on Detroit Lions' QB Jared Goff)

"I'm a huge Jared fan. Much like me, sometimes it takes a different spot to feel comfortable and I think he just fits what they're doing, and he does it at a very high level. He's not a flashy guy by any means but he distributes the ball really well, so I'm a fan."

(On what it's like to be more responsible on offense because of the injuries on defense)

"Not to put more pressure on our offensive guys, but we expect to be efficient when we have the ball, so like I said, sustaining drives [and] finishing in the endzone rather than field goals, especially in a game like this, is going to be vital for success. For us, just trying to make the most of it when we have the ball and taking advantage of our opportunities."

(On if there's anything from the two games against Detroit last year that can be taken to prepare for Sunday)

"Schematically, yeah. [They have the] same defensive coordinator. Obviously, they've moved some guys around. Picking up [Marcus] Davenport is a pretty big upgrade for their edge guys, and then Brian Branch is such a versatile guy. They've moved him around. He's able to play nickel but they had him at safety [in] Week 1 at least. Obviously, you pick up a young corner in [Terrion] Arnold out wide, and then we're familiar with Carlton [Davis] as well. They've upgraded in the spots that they thought they needed to. For us, we're excited about the matchups, but it comes down to us handling it. Their mentality is always to be the most physical, so we have to be ready for that – be the more physical team [and] bring that early and often."

(On what he can say about CB Carlton Davis III)

"He provides the game changing plays and the ability to do that. Obviously, he [has] good ball skills and he's very familiar with our guys, Mike [Evans] and Chris [Godwin]. He's covered them a lot in practice and whatnot, so we just have to be on the same page, give him some different looks, and not let him get a chance to make plays on the ball."

(On how much playing with WR Mike Evans helps his game)

"A lot. Like I've said over and over again, he makes my job very easy. I think you guys heard that in the mic'd up segment. One-on-ones [are] not really a 50/50 ball with him. Chances are pretty high with Mike. Teams have to scheme to take him away and that opens up other opportunities for other guys."

(On if there are specific games that help measure a team and help understand where they're at)

"Yeah. This is definitely one of those. I mean, every week you have to bring your best stuff. At this level, if you don't show up you can get beat any given week. This is one of those – on the road with a team who was in the NFC Championship, where we aspire to be, so it's one of those – you said it, measuring sticks to great competition [and] see how our guys handle it early on. You know, it's a long season but we can learn a lot from this one."

(On if his ability to escape the pocket and avoid sacks comes from experience and what he makes of it)

"I don't know about experience. Sometimes you just have to make plays. They get paid too; to make plays and cover the pass game so, [I'm] just trying to help our guys up front out. If we don't have anything open down the field, [I'm] avoiding a tackle or two and getting the ball out or using my legs to make a positive play."

(On how he is getting the ball out faster and if he is seeing the game differently)

"Playing quarterback, the more reps you get, the slower the game feels, especially when you have the chemistry you do with your guys out wide. You know where they're going to be on their routes, the timing of it, understanding coverages and how you want to attack it – that's a big part of getting the ball out quick, and just that huge trust factor that I have in our guys to do the right thing."

(On having big drives in Week 1 and if that's different about this year, and knowing Detroit is also capable of that)

"Yeah. You saw Detroit do that exact thing last week against LA. When everybody knows you're going to run the ball, when you have to late in a game with a lead, how are your guys going to handle it? Are you going to be the more physical team when they load the box up, when they know you're handing the ball off? That's a huge improvement for us scheme-wise but more [on] the mental side, being the more physical team, understanding that, hey, they know we're running it but we're still going to make it work somehow. That was a huge upgrade."

(On having to use a silent count in Detroit because of how loud Ford Field is and how it will be new for C Graham Barton)

"[We do] a lot more prep work when it comes to communication stuff like, 'Hey, this player is going to be on this silent count cadence,' and just that extra prep work of communicating, because you're not able to get those extra words out in a huddle in an environment like that. Just, guys being really, really detailed and locked in during the week, is the biggest difference because when you get into those games, you might not hear the full play call. You might not hear it, so guys have to kind of put it together and understand what plays we have in the game plan and what the alerts and cans are with it and go from there."

(On if the loud atmosphere in Detroit fuels him personally)

"As a competitor, you love environments like this. I mean, it was a great atmosphere last year and so we expect the same thing. After the season they had, you know, it's Detroit – obviously having the recent success after not having it for a long time. Those fans – they deserve that, and we have to be ready for it. But yeah, as a competitor, I look forward to these opportunities."

(On how gratifying it was to hit WR Chris Godwin in the end zone)

"Getting our guys going is a point of emphasis. Especially Chris, he feels great – just letting him do what he's best at and watching him do the rest – beating man coverage, winning on those routes, and [I'm] just trying to get the ball out on time and on target for him. He's one of our guys that we're really lucky to have."

(On having G Cody Mauch and C Graham Barton who are both very fast and athletic and what it does for the screen game)

"It's huge because guys being that big and being able to play in space – it makes it hard on a defense because they're not able to exactly beat them to the point of attack and if those guys get out there with a full head of steam, I sure wouldn't want to be in front of it. It's good to see those guys understand the concepts of the landmarks of those screen plays and when they should be getting down field and how to block it."

(On if it's helpful to see a team like the Rams play against their opponent one week prior)

"It is. Scheme-wise, you see a lot of similar plays and how they covered them [and] how they schemed up the formations as well. Any time you're game planning, you try and look at the most recent games but also you might dip back into the well a little bit on the film and see the similar offenses and see how they scheme it [and] how they play it. Use that to your advantage, and so for us, yeah, it's a big part of our game plan."

(On what it means to be named one of Tom Brady's three stars for the week)

"I appreciate it, Tom. For me, I thought I was efficient in getting the ball out where it needed to go and I expect to have that success every… Obviously, it's a long season but to start Week 1 like that, [it was] satisfying for me. Like I said after the game, it's something just to build on, so our guys can understand, 'Hey, this is how efficient we can be week in and week out.' We expect that."

(On how much the feeling of unfinished business plays into this week's game)

"You can definitely sense it already, within our building, when you put up the personnel, the game records, the scouting report, all that and you talk about the atmosphere, the memories instantly pop up and our guys are ready. You know, it's obviously a topic of conversation of they ended our year and so [it's] one that we've been looking forward to and it just so happens to be the one this week."

(How much it helps having two running backs in the backfield with RB Rachaad White and RB Bucky Irving)

"You look at the most successful teams in the NFL – they're able to take the lead guy out and put somebody else in and there's no drop off and so it's really important with a guy like Rachaad who's going to be in the game a lot. When he needs a breather, he needs a breather, so being able to have Bucky come in and play how he did is good for us, but [there's] a lot of room to grow. We expect Bucky to play really well."

(On if RB Rachaad White is in the conversation of being one of the best pass-catching running backs)

"He is, and if he's not then I don't think people have watched him. You can just instantly tell when you throw the ball to him [that] it's natural for him and that's not always the case with running backs – to not break stride when he's catching it, to be able to catch it with his hands pure, like a receiver or tight end, and be able to make moves after that. He's just a guy that – he's our running back, yes, but just get the ball in his hands and it's fun to watch him do the rest."

(On White making the Washington defense miss before WR Mike Evans' first touchdown)
"That screen pass before Mike's first touchdown was an unbelievable individual effort by Rachaad [White]. To stiff arm Bobby Wagner and then make Jeremy Chinn miss in space – it just speaks volumes to his play-making ability."

(On what it was like seeing WR Jalen McMillan responding as he did after the first drop)

"Yeah, that first one [was a] tough catch. To have that response as a rookie, to not get in your head a little bit and to still bring the energy that we expect him to was good to see."

(On what went into the decision to partner with BabyCycle Diaper Bank with his foundation)

"First and foremost, [we] realize that diapers are really expensive, and you have to have a lot of them. Just still trying to – priorities in life, it's much bigger than the game of football land realize that we [can] use our platform to be able to give back and help families in need."

WIDE RECEIVER CHRIS GODWIN

(On what he can take from last year's games against the Detroit Lions)

"It's going to be a tough ballgame. You've got two very competitive teams going at it again. It's always going to be a tough game whenever you play them. We're looking forward to it."

(On going back to play in the place where the team was eliminated last season)

"I think we're more excited about the opportunity to go back there. It's a great environment. The fans in that last game, they were rocking. You could tell that they were excited about how good their team is and they have a right to be. From a competitive standpoint, it's fun to go and play in places like that."

(On playing in a challenging environment like Ford Field)

"It's definitely a challenge whenever you're not able to communicate verbally. It's a big challenge for a team. We have to do a really good job in practice of working on our non-verbal communication between center and quarterback and the rest of us as well. We've got to be on the same page, because if we're not, that's an easy way to get behind the chains. Against a team like that, you definitely don't want to be behind the chains – especially with pass rushers like that and a violent defense. We've got to make sure we're on our 'P's and Q's' and make sure we're on top of our game so we can go out there and eliminate as [many] of the external factors as possible."

(On if the offense is prepared to be in a high-scoring game)
"I think that, as an offense, we think that we're ready for any type of game. I feel like we're going to have to be that way if we want to get to where we want to go at the end of the season. We have to be able to play in close battles where we're running the ball a lot or shootouts where we have to shoulder the load – however the defense shows up. We expect a lot out of them anyway. We've got a lot of guys on that side that are veterans, that know how to play, and we trust them and [Head] Coach [Todd] Bowles to call the defense."

-BUCCANEERS-