Click through to shop the incredible October offers at BillCurrieFord.com. Family-owned in Tampa since 1960! Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is ready to help you PERSONALLY and give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of their sale prices. Don’t Worry, Drive Currie!
BY IRA KAUFMAN
Sunday’s game in Seattle will start on time. Will the Buccaneers?
Despite their 3-1 getaway, the Bucs have consistently found themselves behind in the opening quarter. That should be a disturbing trend for new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, who won’t have Bucky Irving as a key weapon to test Seattle’s stout defense.
It all began with the Week 1 matchup at Atlanta, where the Bucs quickly fell behind because the defense forgot to account for Bijan Robinson leaking out of the backfield for a 50-yard TD reception.
Things haven’t gotten much better in terms of encouraging starts.
Last season, the Buc offense was dynamic in the first quarter, averaging a league-best 6.7 points with Liam Coen calling the plays. That was a big jump from the previous two years and this current group seems to be going backwards.
Year – Average 1st quarter scoring – NFL rank
2025 – 3.3 points – 24th
2024 – 6.7 points – 1st
2023 – 2.9 points – 26th
2022 – 2.8 points – 27th
2021 – 6.5 points – 3rd
2020 5.6 points – 12th
“We’ve got to start faster,” says Baker Mayfield. “We’ve got to be the aggressor, not wait, whether it’s chippy or we got hit in the mouth once. We’ve got to come out swinging.”
The only first-quarter touchdown scored by Tampa Bay through four games was Mayfield’s 20-yard pass to Ryan Miller at Houston in Week 2. Add in a pair of Chase McLaughlin field goals and it adds up to 13 points in the initial 15 minutes.
The early numbers on defense are also concerning. The Bucs have yielded 34 points in the opening quarter, including that blocked punt for a score last week. Only the Saints, the lone winless team in the NFC, have allowed more points in the first 15 minutes.
The Bucs have never had a lead in the opening quarter this year — and have never scored first. Poor starts were overcome the first three weeks because Mayfield engineered last-minute comeback victories.
That formula wasn’t sustainable, especially against better opponents, and the early 14-0 hole vs. Philadelphia proved to be too deep.
Now the short-handed Bucs are flying 2,200 miles, determined to rebound from their initial setback. The Seahawks have won three in a row following a close Week 1 setback against the 49ers.
Seattle has relied on an opportunistic defense and the ability to establish early leads. Both factors should have Tampa Bay’s full attention.
Mayfield’s top playmakers, Irving and Mike Evans, aren’t available. This is a grand opportunity for Rachaad White, who ran for a career-high 105 yards against the Seahawks in Munich as a rookie in 2022.
In stark contrast to the visitors, the Seahawks have been quick starters this season. Seattle owns a 35-16 scoring advantage in the opening quarter … only the Bills have put up more points in the first 15 minutes.
Considering the injuries that have ravaged Tampa Bay’s offensive line, Grizzard hasn’t done a bad job. Still, two issues have emerged: Tampa Bay tight ends have been targeted only 12 times and the Bucs are plagued by chronic slow starts.
Mayfield isn’t known for his patience. He vows to be the aggressor from the start — and that’s a noble cause. Those opening 15 minutes just might shape the outcome at Lumen Field.
A Tampa tradition since 1960, one mile north of the stadium on Dale Mabry.