Preseason Week 3 Most Impressive: Bucs vs. Ravens

The Bucs played their best and most complete game of the preseason Saturday night in a 26-20 win over the Ravens. The Ravens now have a preseason losing streak for the first time since 2015. On a day when most of the team played well, here’s what stood out as the “Most Impressive.”

WR Chris Godwin

Godwin, playing in live action for the first time this preseason, was a big part of the engine that drove the Bucs starting offense. In just two drives, Godwin caught all four of his targets for 30 yards and a touchdown. Working primarily from the outside as he transitions to a new role in the Bucs offense, Godwin showed he can still be a volume-driver no matter where he plays.

Baker Mayfield bakes a TD pass to Chris Godwin to tie the game up at seven. #GoBucs

pic.twitter.com/uAQaVK9IQs

— Christopher Mathis 🎙 (@thechrismathis) August 26, 2023

QB Baker Mayfield

The newly minted starting quarterback who hooked up with Godwin on all four passes, including the touchdown, was Baker Mayfield. Mayfield ended the night 6-for-6 for 43 yards and a touchdown on a near-perfect night. Mayfield was decisive and comfortable in the offense, showing mobility and zip on his passes. This game capped an incredible preseason for Mayfield.

Baker Mayfield this preseason:

🏴‍☠️ 14/15
🏴‍☠️ 105 yards
🏴‍☠️ 2 TDs | 0 INTs
🏴‍☠️ 135.4 passer rating

(📸 @Buccaneers) pic.twitter.com/rqX3VcuQRO

— PFF (@PFF) August 26, 2023

Mayfield was especially sharp on the team’s second drive, which culminated in the touchdown above. Capitalizing on a short field that was set up by a Deven Thompkins’ 38-yard kickoff return, Mayfield went 4-of-4 for 38 yards, hitting Godwin three times for 27 yards and adding an 11-yard completion to Kaylon Geiger.

WR Deven Thompkins

Speaking of Deven Thompkins, he has solidified himself as KR/PR1 and as a rotating member of the Bucs’ wide receiver depth. Thompkins has impacted every game of the preseason. In Saturday’s game, it was as an electric returner, taking a Justin Tucker kickoff almost out to midfield to set up Tampa Bay’s first score. He also had an impressive block on the Bucs’ first drive, showing once again that he plays much bigger than his diminutive stature.

WRs Rakim Jarrett and Trey Palmer

As the Bucs have been forced to turn over their wide receiver room due to age (Julio Jones), injury (Russell Gage), and insanity (Antonio Brown), it appears they may have found a ton of value in the 2023 NFL draft class. Sixth-rounder Trey Palmer continues to own the preseason with another two catches for 25 yards. While the stats aren’t gaudy, the play was.

WHAT. A. CATCH.

📺: #BALvsTB on WFLA
📲: https://t.co/v11MZuQYvT pic.twitter.com/hX65L6F6A1

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) August 26, 2023

Palmer’s speed was well-known going into the draft, but the hands and ball skills have been a bit of a revelation, which could make his draft position a steal.

The Bucs may be convicted of grand larceny by the end of the season as another steal is coming in the form of undrafted free agent Rakim Jarrett. After making his debut last week, he added another strong game, hauling in four of five targets for 48 yards this week.

RB Rachaad White

One of the most anticipated debuts of the 2023 season was that of running back Rachaad White. After seeing him back up former starter Leonard Fournette for most of last year, the Bucs showed absolute confidence that White could step into the starter role this year in new offensive coordinator Dave Canales’ mid-zone scheme.

White did not disappoint. In a limited 1.5 drives, White showed explosiveness, shiftiness and power as he consistently created additional yards after contact. White carried the ball seven times for 39 yards, averaging 5.6 yards per carry while hauling in a catch for two yards. White constantly talks about himself being a “three-down back.” On Saturday night, he provided plenty of evidence to back up that claim.

K Chase McLaughlin

The Bucs didn’t wait until the end of the preseason to announce the winner of their kicking competition. They released Rodrigo Blankenship following last week’s game against the Jets. McLaughlin rewarded their faith by nailing every opportunity that was presented to him on the night. That included four field goals from 47, 27, 38 and 48 yards and both of his extra point attempts.

McLaughlin’s ability to hit from distance gives the Bucs offense an added element they have lacked during the Ryan Succop era.

DE Will Gholston

Gholston, signed very late into training camp, has certainly shaken the rust off if there ever was any. He showed his veteran savvy while playing against young Ravens backups to help clog run lanes and pressure Ravens quarterbacks. With three combined tackles, one tackle for loss, three quarterback hits, and 1.5 sacks, Gholston played like a man amongst boys on the night.

DB Christian Izien

Izien had a significant play early in the game when he recovered to track down Ravens quarterback Anthony Brown on a long scramble to punch the ball out of Brown’s hands. The forced fumble was recovered by Bucs safety Kaevon Merriweather and stopped what was looking to be a Ravens scoring drive. In a game that was decided by less than a touchdown that play stood out as one of the biggest of the night.

Former ⁦@Rutgers⁩ FB standout Christian Izien made a nice play by punching out the ball causing a turnover! Izien played in the ⁦@Hula_Bowl⁩ and a had a solid week in Orlando! @draftdiamonds ⁦@chriscrafty_⁩ pic.twitter.com/TBa7TC8543

— NFL Draft Diamonds (@DraftDiamonds) August 27, 2023

Bucs Starting Offensive Line

Just after halftime, Bucs general manager Jason Licht announced that center Ryan Jensen would be placed on season-ending injured reserve. That means the team did have their entire starting offensive line out on the field for the first few drives of the game. Left tackle Tristan Wirfs and left guard Matt Feiler finally joined center Robert Hainsey, right guard Cody Mauch and right tackle Luke Goedeke and the results were encouraging, to say the least.

The line created holes and helped drive Rachaad White forward to an impressive yards-per-carry total and kept Baker Mayfield plenty clean to find receivers running open. The entire unit looked good together and should give Bucs fans hope that they can anchor an offense that will hopefully put up more than 19 points per game this year.

Bucs Tight Ends

There are few position groups across the NFL that are as big of a question mark as the Bucs’ tight end room. Led by two-second year players, a late-round rookie and former undrafted free agent who has 12 offensive snaps in five seasons, this group is as inexperienced as it gets.

However, the Bucs’ tight ends came to play and silenced some doubters on Saturday night. Ko Kieft was a lean, mean, blocking machine while starter Cade Otton added a slick 12-yard run on a jet sweep during the offense’s first touchdown drive.

David Wells contributed with two catches for 11 yards and a touchdown, while rookie Payne Durham had another nice catch and run for eight yards. Even fifth-string tight end Dominique Dafney had a couple of nice plays en route to two catches for 22 yards. The group combined for five catches for 41 yards and a score, but came up big every time they were called on.

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