In the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' season-opening win in Atlanta last Sunday, the team's offense started out a bit slowly, with two early three-and-outs and no first downs until there was less than two minutes left in the first quarter. Baker Mayfield and the Bucs' offense generated a total of 260 yards in the outing, which would have been their third-lowest total in 2024, when they averaged 399.6 yards per game. However, there were several hallmarks from that ultra-productive 2024 offense that still shined through, including red zone efficiency and third-down success.
The Buccaneers converted 50% of their third downs (7-14) against the Falcons, a mark that tied for the eighth best in the NFL in Week One. Incredibly, that's actually a bit lower than their conversion rate from the entire 2024 season, when they set a franchise record and led the NFL by making good on 50.9% of their tries. On Thursday, Mayfield shared what he thought was the bedrock for the Bucs' ongoing success on the money down.
"Versatility," he said. "Understanding what a defense is trying to do on certain downs and distances. Obviously, we're talking third down, but in those in those windows, what do they do? What does the coach rely on, especially in critical situations? What are they always going to fall back on? What's their change up that they want to throw in there? And just being able to have options at the line of scrimmage."
Last year, then-Pass Game Coordinator Josh Grizzard was tasked by Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen with formulating the team's third-down plan during the week of game preparation, tailoring it to the specific upcoming opponent. Obviously, he handled that assignment well, and when Coen left to become the Jacksonville Jaguars' head coach in the offseason, Grizzard was promoted to the coordinator position. Having his ongoing influence on the third-down plan – know even greater since he is calling the plays on game day – is obviously a boon for the Buccaneers' offense, but Mayfield says it takes a lot of mental work by the players to make it work, too.