The Buccaneers have a real shot to steady themselves in Week 2, and the setup is hard to ignore. Tampa Bay came up short in a tight 33-27 loss to the Bengals, while Cleveland was handled in a 34-10 defeat to the Jaguars. Both teams are sitting at 0-1, but the Browns look like the side with more issues entering Sunday.
One reason Tampa Bay can feel good about this one is the potential return of Jalen McMillan. He is questionable for Week 2 against Cleveland, but after a full week of practice, he is likely to play.
McMillan missed most of 2025 with a neck injury he suffered in the preseason, but he was a valuable piece in 2024 when he caught eight touchdowns. He gives the Buccaneers a downfield option they didn’t have in Week 1, and that kind of element could matter quickly.
Baker Mayfield is another big reason for Tampa Bay optimism. He was traded away by Cleveland in 2022 in favor of Deshaun Watson, and after a wandering stretch elsewhere, he landed in Tampa Bay, where he now has a home and a three-year, $165 million extension.
Sunday will be the first time Mayfield faces Watson, and it’s clearly a game he has circled. He also comes in after turning the ball over three times against Cincinnati, so there’s every reason to expect him to be locked in on a strong response.
The Browns, meanwhile, did not give themselves much to build on after Week 1. Their offense managed just 185 passing yards and 87 rushing yards, went 0-2 in the red zone, committed 11 penalties for 75 yards and coughed up the ball twice with a pick and a fumble. Watson’s offense was stuck in neutral, and the defense, usually the dependable side, had no answer for Jacksonville as Trevor Lawrence threw four touchdown passes.
That leaves Tampa Bay with a clear opportunity. Cleveland has too many problems right now, and the Buccaneers should be in position to take advantage.
In Other News...
Tristan Wirfs Rare Bucs Feat Looks Even More Remarkable Now
When the Detroit Lions shifted All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell to the left side this season, it brought fresh attention to a move the Buccaneers already know can be tricky. Tristan Wirfs made the same switch in 2023, and he did it while still looking like one of the leagues best linemen, which only adds to how unusual that transition really is.
Sewell has had a tougher opening to the change, and the early contrast underscores how rare it is for a tackle to flip sides without a noticeable dip. For Tampa Bay, Wirfs first year on the left now looks even more impressive, a reminder that what seemed like a smooth adjustment was actually a remarkable feat. [Read more 🡒]
Ja'Marr Chase Had A Revealing Reaction To Buccaneers' Defensive Showing
JaMarr Chases quiet opener was notable not just for the numbers, but for the way he framed them afterward. After catching only two passes in Cincinnatis season-opening win, the receiver said an earlier version of himself might have let that kind of outing get to him, but hes now more focused on staying mentally locked in and ready for whatever the game script brings. He also made it clear he did not ask Joe Burrow for more targets, a small but telling sign of where his head is as the Bengals move on.
Chases comments land with added weight for the Buccaneers, who know how quickly a receiver of his caliber can change a game once hes fully engaged. He also gave Houstons defense its due ahead of the next matchup, which only adds to the sense that opposing coordinators are still trying to figure out how to keep him from taking over. For Tampa Bay, it is another reminder that even when a star has a quiet day, the threat level never really goes away. [Read more 🡒]
Buccaneers Need A Fast Bounce Back From These Key Players
The Buccaneers Week 1 loss to the Bengals left enough to unpack, but the bigger concern was how a few of the teams most important pieces looked in the opener. Baker Mayfield, Alex Anzalone and Yaya Diaby were all flagged in the analysis as players who did not deliver at the level Tampa Bay needs, and that matters even more with Cleveland up next.
A fast rebound from that group could go a long way toward settling things down for a team that came up short in a 33-27 defeat. The schedule does not leave much room for lingering disappointment, and the Browns present another chance for Tampa Bay to show that the opener was a blip rather than a sign of deeper problems. [Read more 🡒]