On Friday night, the Bucs’ backups contributed significantly to a victory. Rookie linebacker Antonio Grier made an impactful contribution with both fumble recovery and interception of an opponent player.
Leonard Fournette had another impressive outing as he amassed 110 yards from scrimmage and scored on an 11-yard run to cap off his evening.
| Category | Team | Player | Stat 1 | Stat 2 | Stat 3 | Stat 4 | Stat 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passing | MIA | Skylar Thompson | 19/27 C/ATT | 190 YDS | 2 TD | 1 INT | |
| MIA | Mike White | 5/9 C/ATT | 37 YDS | 0 TD | 0 INT | ||
| TB | Kyle Trask | 17/24 C/ATT | 141 YDS | 2 TD | 0 INT | ||
| TB | Baker Mayfield | 3/3 C/ATT | 54 YDS | 0 TD | 0 INT | ||
| Rushing | MIA | Malik Washington | 1 ATT | 40 YDS | 40.0 AVG | 40 LONG | 0 TD |
| MIA | Jaylen Wright | 7 ATT | 36 YDS | 5.1 AVG | 10 LONG | 0 TD | |
| TB | Bucky Irving | 6 ATT | 26 YDS | 4.3 AVG | 9 LONG | 0 TD | |
| TB | Rachaad White | 4 ATT | 16 YDS | 4.0 AVG | 5 LONG | 1 TD | |
| Receiving | MIA | Hayden Rucci | 5 REC | 44 YDS | 20 LONG | 1 TD | |
| MIA | Kyric McGowan | 3 REC | 18 YDS | 14 LONG | 1 TD | ||
| TB | Rakim Jarrett | 4 REC | 45 YDS | 18 LONG | 0 TD | ||
| TB | Tanner Knue | 3 REC | 25 YDS | 10 LONG | 1 TD | ||
| TB | Ronnie Miller | 2 REC | 24 YDS | 14 LONG | 1 TD | ||
| Defense | MIA | Channing Tindall | 12 TOT | 6 SOLO | 1 QB HIT | ||
| TB | Antonio Grier Jr. | 1 INT | 7 YDS INT RET | 0 TD |
Quarterback Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield has had an impressive debut season. Already the face of his franchise and gaining respect from teammates and fans alike, Mayfield is expected to lead their offense for much of 2019. Additionally he stands as their leader and is considered one of the finest young players in NFL.
Mayfield made an impressive debut performance as starting quarterback, completing 16 of 26 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns in his inaugural start as starter against Miami Dolphins, including one interception by linebacker C. J. Mosley in the second quarter and running in for another score from 3-yard out. Unfortunately for Miami, however, one such pass intended for Mike White was intercepted and thus costly in their attempt at rallying a comeback effort.
After the turnover, Tampa Bay took control of the game. A three-and-out by the Dolphins resulted in a punt; then they drove downfield with Kyle Trask converting on third down with an incomplete pass to Cody Thompson but ultimately scoring on fourth down with Kyric McGowan on a one-yard touchdown play.
The Dolphins’ next drive was more successful but still ended with another three-and-out due to penalties: false start and delay of game. Miami reached Tampa Bay territory but their third drive stalled due to rookie Dominican rookie Bayron Matos being able to beat center Jack Driscoll for a sack.
On Tampa Bay’s fourth drive, an incompletion to Thompson resulted in fourth-and-10 and forced them to punt; however, on third down a pass intended for Thompson was intercepted by Antonio Grier and saved a punt.
The Bucs should have an excellent chance at beating the Dolphins on Friday, but their inexperienced secondary could pose a challenge. Ranked 27th overall in pass defense, their efforts must improve in order to keep up with a top-tier offense like Miami. While their defense needs work on numerous fronts, its starters appear ready for season and they should stand up well when facing off against their formidable offense in Week 2 of preseason at Raymond James Stadium on Friday evening.
Running Back Leonard Fournette
Fournette was once one of the NFL’s premier running backs and earned Pro Bowl selection in 2022, becoming an essential cog in Jaguars offense this season before injuries limited his production; Fournette will look to make up lost ground next season.
After an uneventful first quarter, Tampa Bay started the second half with an impressive drive. Fournette got an excellent lead block from Kameron Johnson on a screen pass for 14 yards before breaking free from a congested line to run through two defenders for another 14-yard gain and score the touchdown that set up their two-point conversion attempt – which was successful!
The Dolphins responded with a short drive of their own, marred by multiple penalties: delay of game penalty and false start pushed Miami behind on third down; on fourth down C.J. Brewer stuffed Wright at line for loss of one before Tavierre Thomas made an open field tackle to prevent run.
With their win, the Buccaneers improved to 3-2 on the season and are just one game away from clinching a playoff berth. Furthermore, they earned their fourth first-round bye since 2013 as well as their sixth consecutive winning season.
Leonard Fournette ran for a team-high 155 yards while Jameis Winston completed 17 of 31 passes for 277 yards with two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns. Fournette made his best performance since returning from injury during Week 16; it should allow James Cook to retain his role as starting running back and Ty Johnson and Latavius Murray will provide depth.
Wide Receiver Tanner Knue
The Dolphins and Buccaneers met for the first regular season game since 1980 in Miami; Miami won on a last-second 46-yard Hail Mary by Robert Baker to overcome a 13-0 deficit and end their five-year losing streak.
The game featured several notable players, such as Dolphins receivers Anthony Schwartz and Brandon Pili who were taken off with apparent serious injuries in the second quarter. Both would not return, forcing the Dolphins to use backup players at several positions.
Early in the game, both teams exchanged passes frequently but Tampa Bay made some impressive plays on defense, particularly from cornerback Ronde Barber. Furthermore, their defensive front did a remarkable job of controlling Miami’s running game; Miami only amassed 2 yards rushing – setting an all-time franchise low!
After a scoreless third quarter, Tampa Bay held Miami to only one field goal in the fourth. On their next offensive drive, Kyle Trask found Tanner Knue for a 2-yard pass touchdown – its final offensive play of the game for Tampa Bay.
Trask hit Knue again for 22 yards on a crossing pattern, then connected with him again in the end zone on a double move that beat Isaiah Johnson with excellent coverage.
Knue had two more catches in the second half, and also made an outstanding open-field tackle on an end-around run by rookie running back Malik Washington. Unfortunately for Miami, their defense seemed involved in nearly every tackle made, especially linebacker Channing Tindall who made several.
Now is the time for teams to whittle down rosters before the regular season kicks off on Sept. 8. Miami will open their campaign at home against Jacksonville Jaguars and host No. 2 overall draft pick Jayden Daniels as part of his debut on that date.
Linebacker Lavonte David
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have completed one task on their free agency list by re-signing Lavonte David on a one-year deal. David, 34 years old and starting 17 games last season, contributed with 124 tackles, three sacks, five pass deflections, one forced fumble recovery, one forced fumble forced by himself and one forced fumble from him last season – an outstanding showing that made him an IDP starter once more in 2024.
NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed linebacker Lavonte David to a one-year, $7 Million fully guaranteed deal. Since joining Tampa Bay as a second round selection from Nebraska in 2012, Lavonte David has become an invaluable member of its defense, earning three All-Pro selections, one Pro Bowl appearance and winning Super Bowl LV together with Tampa Bay during 2020 NFL season.
David was a standout performer during the second half of the season and is an ideal leader for this young Buccaneers defense. Beyond his exceptional play on the field, David brings tremendous work ethic and leadership qualities into the locker room.
The Buccaneers LB corps may still be developing, but with Lavonte David back as part of their ranks they appear poised for great strides next season.
Lavonte David (knee) participated fully during Thursday’s practice session and appears likely to return for Sunday’s Wild-Card matchup against Washington Commanders. David suffered a minor knee issue during Week 12 regular-season finale but is expected to make his playoff debut without issue. Losing David would be devastating blow for a Buccaneers defense that’s already missing key contributors like LBs Carlton Davis III (hip), Devin White (foot), and Jamel Dean (foot/ankle).
Tampa Bay LB Lavonte David leads a group of Tampa Bay defenders on an effective blitz to take down San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy during the NFC Divisional Round of 2023 NFL playoffs, getting him for an effective takeaway and scoring an early touchdown with this takedown sack that gave them an early takeaway score in the opening quarter.