Daniels Quinn’s Commanders debut ruined by Buccaneers

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Baker Mayfield threw for 289 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 37-20 rout of the Washington Commanders, spoiling the NFL debut of second-round pick Jayden Daniels on Sunday.

Daniels was more effective running the ball than passing, scoring two rushing touchdowns for Washington, which hopes for a fresh start with the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback, Dan Quinn at coach and Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt Jr. on offense and defense.

The former LSU star was one of three rookies to start quarterbacks in Week 1, along with No. 1 pick Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears and No. 12 pick Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos. He joins Robert Griffin III (2012) as the only rookies to start the season opener for Washington since 1967.

Mayfield jumpstarted his struggling career last season by signing a one-year contract with the Buccaneers to win Tom Brady’s old starting job, then led Tampa Bay to its third consecutive NFC South title and a playoff berth.

The 2017 Heisman Trophy winner and first-round pick the following year was rewarded with a three-year, $100 million contract in the offseason, ending any doubts the Buccaneers believed he was the quarterback to lead the team moving forward.

Mayfield completed 24 of 30 passes without an interception on Sunday, including TD passes of 1 and 17 yards to Mike Evans. Chris Goodwin scored on a 4-yard reception and rookie Jalen McMillan had a 32-yard TD pass in the second half.

Daniels scored on two 1-yard runs after halftime, the last of which came with a little under two minutes remaining. He finished with 88 yards rushing on 16 attempts and was 17 of 24 passing for 184 yards and no interceptions. The Bucs knocked him down twice.

Injuries

The Buccaneers played without starting DLs Calijah Kancey (calf) and Logan Hall (foot), who were inactive. CB McCullum (concussion) left the game in the first quarter and did not return. … CB Bryce Hall (right ankle) was taken off the field on a stretcher early in the third quarter. Backup CB Josh Hayes (ankle) also was sidelined in the second half.

Next

Commanders: Next Sunday we will host our NFC East rival, the New York Giants.

Buccaneers: At Detroit next Sunday. The Lions eliminated Tampa Bay in the divisional round of the playoffs last season.

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