Bucs Nation
In a 2025 season peppered with game-changing injuries across the league, the Buccaneers continue to handle theirs with arguably the most resilience of anyone.
After suffering two more brutal losses in the form of rookie star Emeka Egbuka and starting right guard Luke Haggard, the Bucs soldiered forward on the back of their MVP-contender QB as they bested the equally decimated San Francisco 49ers, 30-19, on Sunday. The victory broke a four-game losing streak to the ‘9ers and marked the first one since 2018.
At some point, the injury luck either has to turn or Tampa finally gets tripped up by it, but for now the team is a sterling 5-1 — matching a franchise-best start for the first time since 2021 and sixth time ever. Baker Mayfield continues to play with unrivaled fire, and he actually received some defensive support this week in the form of splash plays that led to the Bucs getting their first win of the year by more than one score.
Let’s do some shoutouts!
Mayfield’s gameday resume is becoming filled to the brim with MVP moments, and Sunday was no exception.
An uncharacteristically shaky first quarter quickly gave way to more high-quality plays that we’ve come to expect from No. 6 — delivering a strike to Kameron Johnson with a free rusher bearing down on him, yet another improbable scramble in a series of escapes that seem to get more and more ludicrous, and another deep bomb to a streaking Tez Johnson.
Despite being down his top 4 receivers now, two starting offensive linemen AND the next two backups, and his top running back, Mayfield keeps delivering with what’s been afforded to him. That’s the definition of an MVP.
Speaking of replacements, Kam Johnson!
Prior to Sunday, Johnson was a career special teamer. In two seasons, he garnered 10 targets and no catches, but on Sunday he led the team in receiving. His first career catch and touchdown served as part of a 4/64/1 stat line that was absolutely critical to the team’s success. Not bad for the first-ever NFL product from Barton College in North Carolina.
Tez Johnson may be the size of a cub, but he has the heart of a lion — and he leaps like one, too. The supposedly 143-pound receiver (according to Mayfield) came up with his second big Sunday in row, making a highlight reel grab for a 45-yard touchdown. The two Johnsons will be pivotal for the team’s passing success in the short term while it waits for Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Egbuka to heal up.
Rachaad White put together another strong performance in relief of Bucky Irving. On 20 touches, White totaled 86 yards (65 rushing, 21 receiving) and another touchdown. He’s earned a steady piece of the pie once again even when Irving returns. Sean Tucker also showed positively after a total dud one week ago, carrying 6 times for 25 yards and a score.
