3 reasons why the Vikings will beat the Buccaneers in Week 1

Reason No. 2

Baker Mayfield

With all due respect to Baker Mayfield, the Bucs' front office has to be slightly upset that Kyle Trask did not win the starting job. Both quarterbacks visibly struggled this summer. Mayfield just happened to struggle less.

Back in 2019, when he was a member of the Cleveland Browns, Mayfield actually faired pretty well in his lone game against a Brian Flores-led defense. He helped lead the Browns to a win over Flores and the Miami Dolphins by throwing for 327 yards and three touchdowns.

Do not expect Mayfield to repeat that same success. He is coming off of a 2022 season in which he began the year as the Carolina Panthers starting quarterback before being benched for P.J. Walker after just five games. He was then benched again following an atrocious Week 12 performance.

Flores' speedy defense should have its way with Tampa and first-time playcaller Dave Canales. Mayfield finished 2022 with a 50.6 grade, according to Pro Football Focus, and it's telling that even when he played well for Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams last season, they felt the need not to bring him back.