Just 16 days before opening up the regular season at home against the Commanders, the Bucs took the field at Raymond James Stadium Friday night to close out the preseason against the Dolphins. After taking a 17-0 lead in the first half, Tampa Bay let Miami back within 17-14 before finishing off a 24-14 win. With the Bucs’ starters getting their first taste of action this preseason, Baker Mayfield and the offense got started from their own 30-yard line after a touchback on the opening kickoff.
After a few Rachaad White runs equaled a first down, the big play of the drive was a 28-yard completion from Mayfield to rookie Jalen McMillan, who made a phenomenal catch near the sideline. After a review, the catch stood and one play later, White got into the end zone to give the Bucs a 7-0 lead. Preseason games included, that was Tampa Bay’s first opening-drive touchdown in 23 games, with the last coming in Week 18 of the 2022 season.
That was clearly enough for head coach Todd Bowles, who went right to the second-team offense after the Buccaneer defense forced a Miami three-and-out. After Tampa Bay went three-and-out on its first possession with Kyle Trask under center, Bowles also turned to the second-team defense for the Dolphins’ second drive. After a bit of movement from the visitors, rookie outside linebacker Chris Braswell shut the drive down first with a pressure and then with a third-down sack.
The Bucs went nowhere on their next drive, but the defense kept the 7-0 lead.