The first full day of NFL football in 2024 is finally here, and the Washington Commanders take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1 action.
Here’s everything you need to know about the game today.
Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Start time: Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, 4:25 p.m. ET
- Channel: Fox
- Live stream options: Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FOX NOW
- Radio Stations: BIG 100.3, 98ROCK Tampa
- Starting QBs: Jayden Daniels, Baker Mayfield
- Betting lines:
- Spread TB -3
- Total: 42.5
- Moneyline: TB -162, WAS +136
With a head coaching and quarterback opening, Washington had yet another opportunity to hit the reset button and find a new direction. Owner Josh Harris and the front office brought in Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to take over as the latest head coach. Then, armed with the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, selected QB Jayden Daniels to be the next starter in a very long line of quarterbacks.
However, compared to signal callers of the past, Daniels’ early looks appeared very promising in the preseason. The former LSU Tiger completed some deep balls while quickly moving the Commanders’ offense. While the receiving core has taken a hit from last season, Daniels still has Terry McLaurin to haul in targets.
Quinn focused more on the defense, giving it a complete overhaul after the Commanders traded quite a few pieces away in 2023.
While the middle of the defensive line stayed the same with Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen, the Commanders brought in Clelin Ferrell and Dorance Armstrong to fill out the edges. The defensive line wasn’t the only area that saw an overhaul, as almost every position group saw a starter added.
Their opponent, the Buccanneers, decided to run it back with quarterback Baker Mayfield under center after a 4,000-yard season last year.
WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin return for another year as Tampa Bay’s dominant duo, making Mayfield’s life easier. However, the depth behind the two veterans is light, to say the least, with Trey Palmer receiving 68 targets and Rakim Jarrett seeing just nine.
While Mayfield looked good last season, the Buccaneers are on borrowed time following Tom Brady’s retirement. With aging offensive weapons and a middle-of-the-road quarterback, it’s only a matter of years before Tampa Bay finds itself in a rebuild without some significant moves in the near future.
The NFC South is still up for grabs, but getting the title will not be as easy as 2023 with the Falcons adding Kirk Cousins to the offense. It’s boom or bust for the Buccaneers in 2024, a losing season likely won’t bode well for Mayfield or head coach Todd Bowles.