HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On whether the defense let the opponent score at the end on Monday night)

"I don't think it matters. We won the game, so we'll go from there."

(On being the only team in the NFL to start 2-0 in each of the past four seasons)

"Well, the start is good when you want to go 2-0. The fact is, we haven't been 3-0. So that's a problem that we've got to try to solve. We're looking more ahead for that as opposed to just being happy being 2-0. It's a long season. We've got a lot of work to do and we've got a lot of things to get better at. Like I said, we haven't been 3-0. So, that's a big challenge for us this week as opposed to sitting there and saying we're 2-0 and being happy and then getting our asses kicked on Sunday."

(On the effort of the offensive line after being without both starting tackles)

"I mean, they played hard. They played hard. Obviously, [Graham] Barton and [Charlie] Heck came in and played hard. When [Luke] Goedeke went out, Heck came in and played a heck of a ball game. They battled against a very good defensive front and [we are] just happy with the results."

(On replacing DL Calijah Kancey)

"Everybody has got to step up. Obviously, we can't replicate what Kancey can do for us. Some of them have to play the run, some of them we've got to have ready for the pass. Everybody has got to do their job."

(On whether Kancey could return for the playoffs)

"It's a little premature for that. I'm not really sure."

(On DL Elijah Roberts' development and his shared sack with Lavonte David)

"He's been coming on by the week. I'm really happy with his athletic ability. Him understanding the scheme a lot better means he can play a lot faster, and the more confidence he gains the better you see his ability coming out. He's been doing really well the past few weeks."

(On whether a 2-0 start allows for more patience for T Tristan Wirfs and WR Chris Godwin Jr. to return when they're ready)

"No. When they're ready to play, we'll bring them back whether we're 2-0 or 0-2 or 10-0. We just want them back healthy and back when they're ready. It helps, but it doesn't by [any] means give us any grace period to have them back or to have them sit a little longer."

(On G Cody Mauch's status)

"He's got a knee [injury]. We'll see how the week goes, but he's a question mark as well."

(On who might potentially play guard if Mauch can't go, between OL Luke Haggard and OL Elijah Klein)

"We juggle quite a few people around there. So whether it was Haggard, whether it was Klein, whether it was 'Chuk' (Benjamin Chukwuma), we're trying out different sets just in case something happens Sunday [where] we've got to play these guys."

(On the team's struggles to cover running backs in the flat)

"This past game was communication. The first game we just missed it. This past game was communication."

(On the challenge of facing New York Jets RB Breece Hall and WR Garrett Wilson)

"I think Breece is one of the best [running] backs in the league. He's got size, he's got speed, and he's got wiggle. So, that makes him tough to bring down. They have a very good offensive line behind that. Garrett possesses speed, hands, and route running. So that's always going to be a problem when you can have all three of those things. He's been a good wide receiver in this league."

(On if he can identify a reason for the defense allowing an early explosive touchdown in each of the first two weeks)

"Well, they can't happen. I mean, it's going to happen in this league. The biggest thing is we've got to get better each week. Obviously, at the start of the year, when you don't have all the windows tight and the doors closed tightly, some things are going to happen. We've just got to keep working on that to make sure they disappear and kind of go from there. We've just got to play a full solid game without giving up three or four plays."

(On the pros and cons of a short week)

"The pros of it is you don't have to think as much. The cons of it is just getting the guys healthy enough to play on Sunday."

(On facing New York Jets QB Tyrod Taylor)

"I mean, he can run just as [well] as Justin [Fields]. Obviously, he's played longer. [He is a] very smart quarterback, he gets out of the pocket – he is very elusive that way with running quarterbacks – knows where to go with the football, is very experienced. We've just got to play our game and try to keep him corralled."

(On whether the new football handling rules have affected kicking league-wide)

"It's a little bit of a sore topic with me. I don't believe [any] of that other stuff. You've got to make the damn kick."

(On K Chase McLaughlin's missed kicks)

"You've got to make them. They're concerning when they happen two weeks in a row. Obviously, we've got to get better there. We've got to block it better. We've got to kick it better. We've got to make them. It's really cut and dry. [There] ain't much to talk about there. You can talk about balls and inflation and all that other stuff…You've got to kick the ball. You've got to make the kicks."

(On whether the team considered bringing in another kicker)

"Not at this time. No."

(On QB Baker Mayfield's scrambling ability on third down and how deflating that can be for other teams)

"That's a nightmare. I mean, that's a nightmare. We've had it happen to us once or twice. When you've got them all covered up and you expect to get pressure and the quarterback escapes and you do everything the right way, that's a problem. That creates a whole other issue."

(On why Mayfield is effective extending drives with his legs)

"He has a good feel for the game. He has a good feel for coverages being run, when they have their backs turned, and when the pressure is hard outside or hard inside. He has a feel for that. You can't teach that type of thing."

(On if he will be rotating defensive linemen with DL Calijah Kancey out)

"Yeah, depending on the packages. We'll have packages for each guy set and then we'll kind of see how it settles in and goes."

(On which practice squad defensive lineman might be elevated)

"Depending on the scheme, it probably changes each week. So, we're still sorting through that and I'll see at practice tomorrow."

(On T Tristan Wirfs' status and if he's getting close to a return)

"We need him to be comfortable with himself. We need to see it on the field, so, until we see that…It'll probably be better this week and we'll evaluate him then."

(On his excitement for the 50th season home opener and having over 100 former Buccaneers players in attendance)

"I think that's great, but that's not going to help us get to 3-0."

(On whether T Luke Goedeke's injury changes the urgency with T Tristan Wirfs)

"No, it doesn't change the urgency. We never want a guy back that's not ready to play. He needs to get healthy first and then we'll put him out there."

(On C Ben Bredeson's performance at center)

"I think he's doing a great job. He's extremely smart. He's very versatile, as you can see. He can point out the pressures and set the protections the right way. He's been really doing a very good job for us."

(On rookie T Ben Chukwuma's development)

"Ben is coming along. He's waiting his turn, but he's coming along. He's behind a couple of guys right now, but he's a rookie, so the more he sees, the better he'll [be]. When we put him out there, he'll be ready to go."

(On whether the four-man pass rush is producing enough pressure)

"Yeah, I just think we're letting gaps open and letting them run and escape the wrong way. We've got to cover for each other more in the middle."

(On facing the Jets for the first time as a head coach)

"[We are] trying to get to 3-0. We're playing that team for the third game and that's about it for me."

QUARTERBACK BAKER MAYFIELD

(On how he feels physically)

"Great. It's week three in the NFL. I feel great."

(On how his left leg feels)

"Good. Great. Grand."

(On whether he had to fly in his body work guy)

"Yeah, but that's routine, though. Every week, same thing."

(On whether his body work guy is coming in extra)

"No. Normal schedule."

(On whether he got Whataburger)

"I did. It was fantastic."

(On facing New York Jets QB Tyrod Taylor and if he has any memories of playing with him in Cleveland)

"It's correctly pronounced tuh-ROD, but he doesn't correct people. No, he's an awesome guy, a really good leader. [He is a] veteran presence that was instrumental for me in the midst of a chaotic first year in Cleveland and somebody I relied on a lot. I have a ton of respect for him, just the way he's able to command and operate. Obviously, Justin [Fields] presents different challenges, but Tyrod is able to do his own thing. He's played a lot of ball, been everywhere, different systems. So yeah, that'll be a good matchup."

(On being 2-0 but knowing the offense has room to grow)

"[We have] a ton of room to grow. We haven't played close to being good. We've had some good plays here and there. Obviously, we started fast, which was the emphasis, but they made some adjustments and we needed to make adjustments midgame. We scored when we needed to. Wins, we'll always take those, but offensively, we need to be more consistent. That's the standard around here – we've got to be explosive, be able to score a lot of points, and consistency is the main thing."

(On whether the reshuffled offensive line limits the playbook)

"No. The playbook is fully open. When it comes to the game plan, when you're taking your shots, different things like that, you've got to know who's on the field for the defense and when you're trying to time [things] up. By Sunday, whoever's out there, they'll be ready. That's the big part about this offense – next man up, throwing them in there, really getting them ready for it, overcommunicating, being on the same page, and then just going [out and] playing ball from there."

(On what stands out about New York Jets Head Coach Aaron Glenn's defense)

"Obviously, Aaron being in Detroit, the way they're coached overall under Dan Campbell and that philosophy of [having] a complete unit – physical, they play really, really hard. Their defensive coordinator, Steve Wilks, is somebody I've been around in a couple different places. They just fly around, do what they're supposed to do, and do it at a high level."

(On Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard's adjustments in Week 2)

"That's what good coordinators do. They're able to adjust on the fly and adapt. Obviously, when you lose guys midgame, it's not ideal, but for him to do that, keep his cool, and call a great game is good for us. We just have to execute better."

(On talking with Houston Texans S C.J. Gardner-Johnson after Gardner-Johnson hit Mayfield low)

"We don't take any [crap]. That's about it."

(On the performances by running backs Bucky Irving and Rachaad White in Week 2)

"They feed off each other. You think about the mentality in that room…Obviously, everybody wants the ball, but there's only one of them. To see them feed off each other, understand they'll get their opportunities and take advantage of them – I think they both did that. Rachaad [White] gave us a huge spark running the ball midgame, and Bucky [Irving] in the pass game, as well, being able to extended some things. It still goes back to the O-line, tight ends, and [wide] receivers blocking, being able to create some holes. There were good lanes there for them, but every once in a while, those guys make a lot of people miss and break tackles. It's fun to watch them play off each other."

(On how the team being mentally strong helps in tough starts or late-game situations)

"We're always in the fight. Anytime we step on the field, we expect to win. We expect to play well and do our job at a high level. It's just the mentality."

(On the offense finding ways to win despite struggles late in games)

"[It's a] mentally tough group. Guys being on the same page in chaotic moments, doing the little details right in the two-minute drill. It's good to see from the practice field to the game field – guys being able to execute. Sometimes it's simple plays and guys going above and beyond like Bucky did on some of those checkdowns and putting us in position to score."

(On RB Rachaad White scoring the game-winner and also recovering a key fumble)

"He took a nasty shot trying to dive for that ball. Obviously, huge, huge play for us to be able to punt it. The guys laying their bodies on the line, that stuff screams off the tape. You might not say anything, but guys nod their heads and know, that's the type of group we have. We're going to fight for each other and pick each other up when we're down."

(On the national media praise after previously criticizing him)

"Laugh it off. That's the way the NFL works. They love you when you're up, they love to push you down when you're not doing so [well]. Ride the wave, stay in the middle, go from there."

(On facing New York Jets CB Sauce Gardner after facing Houston Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr.)

"First of all, Stingley is a great player – even better in person. Sauce has the size, tools, and measurables to play [cornerback]. [He is a] guy that's going to be able to match up. Normally their top [cornerbacks] follow Mike, but now we have 'Mek' (Emeka Egbuka) too. We'll see how they handle it. When [Sauce] is able to get his hands on you, it's tough to get off the line. He can run in phase. He's just a good overall [cornerback]."

(On rookie WR Emeka Egbuka and if Mayfield expected this type of production from him)

"I expected him to play really, reall well just from what he was putting on tape, the communication, being in his playbook. It's even better to see when it comes to life on the field, under the lights. The spotlight will never be too bright for him. It's fun to see him thriving and do his job."

(On cameras catching him with his eyes closed sitting on the bench for a few seconds during the game)

"Prayer and managing pain. Taking some time to collect my thoughts and go from there."

(On the fourth-and-10 scramble)

"I was trying to get a matchup for Mike [Evans], get him an opportunity. Obviously, on fourth down, trying to feed your guys and give them a chance. They brought a little pressure and the guy in man coverage on the back is an add-on to the pressure. We didn't have that picked up – they brought one more than we had. Going through my read, stepping up in the pocket, he was there. I just tried to break a tackle, and then obviously the green grass was there, so, taking advantage of it."

(On how he handles media attention or criticism)

"As the old wise ball coach Nick Saban says, 'It's rat poison.'"

(On the offensive standard persisting under multiple different offensive coordinators)

"I think that goes from before I was even here. The level of play, what's expected of this offense, and from the guys that were here for the Super Bowl run [and] just the culture they had set in – it doesn't matter who's in there, we're supposed to go out there and execute. When I stepped in here, it's been the same. You have new faces and turnover every year, but when your veterans and your leaders that have been here their whole career are setting the standard every day, guys have to live up to it."

SAFETY ANTOINE WINFIELD JR.

(On S Tykee Smith's sack)

"It was crazy because on the field, I did not see it. I saw him make the sack, but then I looked up [at the jumbotron] and I saw the play like, 'Oh my goodness.' He ran straight through him. [It was an] awesome play, amazing play, unbelievable."

(On the team's ability to make big plays on both sides of the field in close games)

"It is all about finishing the games and sticking together. [There are] ebbs and flows throughout the game, so just making sure we finish it the best way we can."

(On what the defense can do to help the team improve to 3-0)

"For us, 100% takeaways. We have to take the ball away -- we still have not gotten one yet -- that is the plan for us: get some takeaways."

(On if the game plan changes with QB Tyrod Taylor getting the start due to QB Justin Fields being out)

"No, not at all, still the same game plan. Tyrod [Taylor] does everything as well, he can run as well just as Justin Fields, so [we have] same game plan going in."

(On what type of challenge it is going against WR Garrett Wilson)

"He is really good. I remember we played against him before. We have [had] joint practice with him, and I was able to see him live. He is a good guy -- he can go, he can go -- we have to have eyes on him everywhere he is."

RUNNING BACK BUCKY IRVING

(On the effort of the offensive line and running backs to get the run game going)

"Going into a game, we always want to establish the run. We know everything starts up front with the offensive line. [It is] just being able to trust in those guys every time we get the opportunity to run the ball. [We have a] belief that they are going to open up the holes, and we [have to] trust our progression, go through our reads and do what we do."

(On the team being able to find ways to win late)

"We went through a phase last year where we did not win close games that we should have won. Our coach puts us in those situations in practice so when we get to the game, we can execute it at a high level."

(On RB Rachaad White's performance and how they complement each other)

"We got [running] backs in that room. We always say we love one another, and going back to last year, when you [have] that burn on and off the field, and [when] your number is called, you go out there and compete at a high level. Knowing that your brother [has] your back, you will always perform at a high level."

(On how the running game has been effective)

"[It is] just being able to trust our guys up front, trust our coaching staff to put together a great game plan and go out there to execute."

(On what challenges the New York Jets defense presents)
"They have a great defense. They have Quinnen [Williams], great guy, [their] linebackers fly around -- run around. They have a great defense all around -- guys [who] run to the football. [I am] looking forward to it."

SAFETY TYKEE SMITH

(On his first career sack and how it felt)

"It felt amazing. [I] did not know the play was going to go like that, but [I am] glad I was able to get a big stop on third down."

(On returning home after two weeks on the road to start the season)

"I look forward to it. For us to be able to get back in front of the fans -- [we have] been on the road the last two games, travelling. To be able to play in front of our fans will be a good one."

(On how the transition has been going from playing nickel cornerback to more of a safety role)

"It has been going really well. The adjustment has been easier on me [as I am] learning from Antoine [Winfield Jr.] and the other guys. Coach [Nick] Rapone has been doing a really good job of making sure I am in the best position to make plays."

(On what it says about the team being able to make big plays in close games)

"I think it shows the connection that the offense and defense [have] -- being able to play off one another. The connection part, being able to overcome adversity. To just be able to go out there to put the fire out when the defense needs to and being able to get the ball back to the offense. That [is] something we have been trying to pride ourselves on."

(On facing QB Tyrod Taylor and game planning around his ability to scramble)

"[We] just need to make sure we stay in the rush lanes and then play… and that is going to be the biggest thing. The rushing and the coverage work together, so [for] us to be able to play off one another and maintain him in the pocket."

-BUCCANEERS-