Washington Commanders vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pick & Prediction SEPTEMBER 8th 2024

Stadium: Raymond James Stadium Tampa
Logo Washington Commanders
VS
Logo Tampa Bay Buccaneers
41.5
OPENER
-4
41.5o -108
CURRENT
-4 -110
+170
MONEYLINE
-200
20
SCORE
37

Preview and Prediction

Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels will be making his first appearance in the professional league this Sunday as the Washington Commanders take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the season opener for both teams. Daniels, who was selected as the second overall pick in this year's draft, won the starting position over veteran Marcus Mariota.

Coach Dan Quinn of Washington expressed his excitement for Daniels' rapid development, stating that he always knew the young quarterback was a rare competitor. Despite not showcasing Daniels much during the preseason, Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles is well aware of the threat he poses with his dual-threat abilities.

Daniels himself is aware of the challenges he will face in his debut and is prepared to make adjustments on the fly. He understands that as a rookie, he won't have everything perfect, but he is determined to continue improving.

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Quinn is also a newcomer to Washington, having previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys. He will be looking to turn things around for the Commanders after a disappointing 4-13 record last season. In contrast, Tampa Bay has had a successful run, winning three consecutive NFC South titles.

Last season, the Buccaneers were led by former No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield, who had a career-best year with 4,044 passing yards and 28 touchdowns. However, there have been some changes for Tampa Bay, including a new offensive coordinator in Liam Coen and a rookie center in Graham Barton.

Barton has been studying Washington's defensive line in preparation for his NFL debut and has expressed respect for their talent. The Buccaneers' offense also features star wide receiver Mike Evans, who tied for the most touchdown receptions in the league last season.

Despite the offensive firepower of Tampa Bay, they may face difficulties against Washington's defense, which has been reinforced with the additions of linebacker Frankie Luvu and safety Jeremy Chinn. Bowles acknowledges the tough challenge that lies ahead for his team.

Injury-wise, Tampa Bay's defensive lineman Logan Hall and kicker Chase McLaughlin did not practice on Wednesday due to foot and abdomen/illness issues, respectively. For Washington, offensive tackle Trent Scott was limited in practice due to a knee injury.

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PREDICTION
Washington Commanders
19
23
Tampa Bay Buccaneers