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.
View pictures from Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice on 9/11/2025
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Running Back Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Tight End Devin Culp #82 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Wide Receiver Kameron Johnson #19 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78 and Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Guard Ben Bredeson #68 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Football during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Defensive Line Coach Charlie Strong and Defensive Lineman Logan Hall #90 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater #10 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78 and Offensive Line Coach Brian Picucci of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Guard Elijah Klein #79 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Pass Game Coordinator Coach Kefense Hynson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 and Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Safety Christian Izien #29 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater #10 and Running Back Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Inside Linebacker SirVocea Dennis #8 and Inside Linebackers Coach Mike Caldwell of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Inside Linebackers Coach Mike Caldwell of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Cornerback Benjamin Morrison #21 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Cornerback Benjamin Morrison #21 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Cornerback Benjamin Morrison #21 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - September 11, 2025 - Running Back Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
"This offense demands to have a high football IQ [from] everybody," he said. "So, being able to go to the line of scrimmage with two plays and possibly a kill to get to a third. Our guys are smart – they're able to handle that and that allows us to be successful on third down."
Four different players had the ball in their hands at the end of a successful third down conversion for the Bucs on Sunday, and there was indeed a variety of approaches to those situations. One was a deep touchdown pass to Emeka Egbuka and another was a rugged run up the middle by Bucky Irving. Sterling Shepard had two third-down catches for first downs, both on crossing routes but run from opposite sides of the field.
The other three weren't designed plays but another example of the various ways the Bucs' offense can succeed on third downs. While leading the Bucs with 39 rushing yards, Mayfield scrambled for three first downs on third-down plays. One of his runs went for 20 yards, the longest by any player on either team. Mayfield doesn't necessarily consider himself a running quarterback like Lamar Jackson, but he concedes a well-timed scramble to move the sticks is always an uplifting moment.
"A little bit," said Mayfield when asked if those plays 'juice him up.' "Yeah, it tickles the fancy a little bit, but I'm not I'm not trying to go out there and do it every down. I'm no Lamar or Josh [Allen] by any means. Yeah, it's just trying to take advantage of the looks we have, on third downs especially. If they're not accounting for me, it's 'How are we going to convert? What's that look like?' Sometimes the opportunity arises."
Given their third-down success rate last year and the continuity the team has going in 2025 in terms of both personnel and play-calling, converting half of their attempts in Week One was just another day at the office. There are likely to be more days like that, given how many ways the Bucs can get the job done.
