In his second game back from injury, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. reminded NFL defenses what he's capable of when healthy in Sunday's 20-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
The former second-team All-Pro, who missed five weeks with a fibula injury, led the team with 78 yards receiving, the most he's had in a game since Week 6 of last year before an ankle injury the following week ended his season.
"You're starting to see some signs of what I'm accustomed to," said Godwin. "As you know, it's been a long road for me so just being able to play in back-to-back games and be healthy, I'm grateful for. To be able to contribute in the way that I did, especially in a win, makes me feel good."
All three of Godwin's catches Sunday went for over 20 yards, including the two longest plays of the day recorded by either team.
"Chris is starting to look like old Chris," said Head Coach Todd Bowles after the game. "He got his feet wet last week, and this week he was rolling; He was in a good groove.
On the game's third play from scrimmage, a scrambling Mayfield found Godwin along the sideline just shy of the sticks on a 3rd-and-9. Godwin spun upfield, shaking his defender to pick up the first down and another 16 yards for good measure.
Two Buccaneer drives later, Godwin beat his defender on what looked like a short crossing route off of play-action, before he turned upfield, giving quarterback Baker Mayfield enough room to hit him in stride in front of the converging safety. Godwin was brought down inside the 10 after a 31-yard gain, setting up a Chase McLaughlin field goal four plays later, the first points of the game.
"[Godwin's] intelligence when Baker breaks the pocket of understanding underneath coverages and knowing how to separate and where to go and being in the right spot to give him an outlet that way, and Baker trusting that," said Bowles. "With a lot of young guys, that takes time, but with Chris there, they have that kind of chemistry and he kind of knows where to go and see some things."
Godwin's final catch of the game, a 22-yarder in the third quarter, also set up a score – this time a touchdown to give the Bucs a two-score lead. Godwin found the soft spot in the Cardinals' zone, before weaving his way into the red zone, and running back Bucky Irving found the end zone two plays later.
Sunday marked Godwin's fourth game of the season – in addition to the fibula injury, he missed the first three games recovering from last year's ankle injury.
Going into last year, the 2019 Pro Bowler had put up three straight 1,000-yard seasons. He was on pace to do it again in 2024 before his injury.
After the game, Mayfield agreed that Godwin looked like his old self on Sunday.
"Chris looks really good," said Mayfield. "I think he looks better this time around coming back than he did earlier in the year – just classic Chris. He's in the right spot at the right time – understands what we are trying to get done."
There was one play Godwin might wish he could have back, though. On the third down after his 31-yarder, Mayfield threaded a pass through a trio of defenders to hit an open Godwin in the end zone, but the Penn State product couldn't hold on.
But after the game, Godwin said his focus is on the win, which snapped a three-game skid and kept the Bucs in first place in the NFC South.
"It's amazing – losing three straight, that's your primary focus is getting back into the win column," said Godwin. "It's a tough league – you have to bring your 'A' game every single week. Whenever you don't, you can get beat. We haven't played good enough the past few weeks – but, it feels good to get back into the win column."
