Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin hasn’t cracked 50 receiving yards in a game yet this season, but Tampa Bay keeps finding value in all the things that don’t show up in the box score.
Baker Mayfield pointed to one snap in particular, saying Godwin saved a play that should have been dead because of pressure. Mayfield said the Buccaneers were motioning Godwin over into the boundary when the defense appeared to be rotating safeties, only for the pressure to come.
That should have forced him to kill the play, but Godwin “makes it right,” as Mayfield put it, by inserting and washing Nick Scott down so Bucky Irving could split the track between Tristan Wirfs and Godwin. Mayfield said those are the kinds of details “that are not going to go on a stat sheet, but it’s vital for us to stay ahead of the chains.”
Mayfield also said Godwin’s work in the run game sets a standard for the younger players, calling him “the caliber of player he is” and “the true professional he is,” and added that the Buccaneers need to keep finding ways to get him more involved. Wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon echoed that view, saying Godwin’s blocking comes from a player who is willing to do it and actually enjoys that side of the job. McClendon said, “In order to be a good blocker…in order to block somebody you’ve got to want to block somebody,” and added that Godwin embraces that part of the game and takes the same approach to blocking that he does to everything else.
In Atlanta, Jessie Bates sees Michael Penix as the kind of quarterback who changes the whole feel of the team. Penix has gone 3-2 since returning from injured reserve, with 1,157 passing yards, nine touchdowns and just one interception.
Bates said, “His story is very unique,” and added, “It tells you a lot about the person he is. When No. 9 is out there, this team is a completely different football team, and I really truly believe that he is a franchise quarterback.”
In Carolina, Dave Canales said the Panthers’ defensive coaching changes are aimed at helping the players regain confidence. Canales said it is his job to put them in position to feel ready and confident, and he wants to see the group connected, excited to execute the plan, and playing fast and physical. He said the effort has been there, but the team still needs to make strides in getting everyone on the same page.
In Other News...
Bucs May Have Found A New Way To Help Baker Mayfield
The Buccaneers leaned on the ground game in their recent win over Carolina, and Kenny Gainwell gave them exactly the kind of burst they needed. He carried the ball 14 times for 88 yards, easily his best showing since joining Tampa Bay, and the offense looked more balanced with a heavier commitment to the run.
What makes Gainwell even more intriguing is that his value does not have to stop there. He has been used sparingly as a receiver this season, even though that part of his game could help Baker Mayfield and the passing attack find easier answers, especially with Atlanta coming up and a defense that could force Tampa Bay to get creative in how it moves the ball. [Read more 🡒]
Buccaneers Defense Faces A Bigger Test Than Fans May Realize
Michael Penix Jr. has quietly become one of the more difficult quarterbacks to prepare for this season, and the Buccaneers are about to see why. In just five games, he has shown the kind of accuracy and efficiency that can stress a defense without forcing the issue, pairing a sharp completion rate with a strong touchdown-to-interception profile and the poise to keep drives moving.
For Tampa Bay, the challenge is not just slowing a productive passer, but doing it against a quarterback who has been among the NFLs most careful with the football. The Buccaneers have already spent plenty of time dealing with top-tier arms this year, and this matchup adds another test of whether their defense can stay disciplined when the ball is coming out on time and the mistakes are hard to find. [Read more 🡒]
Buccaneers Need 2 Shaky Units To Hold Up Against Atlanta
The Buccaneers are trying to turn one good win into something more meaningful after handling Carolina and putting themselves in position to chase back-to-back victories for the first time in over a year. Atlanta is next, and with the NFC South picture always tight, this one carries a little extra weight for Tampa Bay. The Bucs have enough established pieces to make that possible, but they also know the margin gets thinner when key units are asked to carry their share.
Linebackers Alex Anzalone and Josiah Trotter will be under the microscope again, and the middle of the defense has to be steadier against a Falcons offense that can stress a team in multiple ways. On the other side, Tampa Bay needs its receiver group to keep functioning around Chris Godwin and provide enough support to keep the offense moving. The matchup does not leave much room for a weak spot, which is why this feels like the kind of game where the Bucs either clean up a few lingering issues or get reminded quickly how fragile a winning streak can be. [Read more 🡒]