TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — With first place on the line in the NFC South, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking for some young players to grow up fast against the Atlanta Falcons. The three-time defending division champions lost star receivers Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (ankle) to injuries during their 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last Monday night.
Baker Mayfield jumpstarted a stalled career with a lot of help from the team’s top playmakers. Now, the NFL's leader in touchdown passes will have to find a way to win without them. That means counting on a rejuvenated running game to ease some of the burden on Mayfield and giving a mostly young, unproven group of receivers a chance to make names for themselves.
“It’s going to look different, but that’s OK. And you know what, it’ll be a little bit more creative, and we’ll have some fun with it,” Mayfield said. “You never know what you can do until you find out what you don’t have.
Coach (Bill) Parcells always said that,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles chimed. “Coaches have to do more, players have to do more, and you have to be more creative. We’re putting our heads down to work, and we’ll get it done.
” Running backs Rachaad White, Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker are eager to help. The trio have combined to help the Bucs rush for an average of 168.4 yards per game since Week 4.
Rookie Jalen McMillan, second-year pro Trey Palmer and former New York Giants receiver Sterling Shepard will have an opportuni.