When Baker Mayfield needs someone to sizzle the Buccaneers’ bacon this week against the Eagles, he knows he can trust Chris Godwin.
That’s because the eighth-year wide receiver is off to the best start of his career. Through three games, he’s never had as many catches (21) or receiving yards (253), and he’s tied for the NFL lead with three touchdown receptions for Tampa Bay (2-1).
While Godwin’s visits to the end zone are no surprise to him, his new offensive coordinator Liam Coen said Thursday that the veteran’s sudden burst jumped off film. And, Coen added, Godwin’s attention to detail has been the difference.
“I’ve always known and heard of Chris and the respect, the competitor, the toughness, the way he plays the game,” said Coen, who has moved Godwin along the line and provided him more red-zone targets and slot opportunities than in past years. “I don’t think I thought he was that sudden as he was. Some of the little subtleties of route-running, his ability to double people up at times and create separation … I don’t know if a lot of people would say he’s an ultra-fast guy, but within his role and in short spaces, he knows how to get open. He knows how to create space. He knows how to attack leverage.”
How Coen attacks the Eagles (2-1) on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium (1 p.m. ET, FOX) might come down to Godwin’s subtleties but, more likely, it’ll come down to how well Tampa Bay’s offensive line protects Mayfield. The Bucs have allowed 13 sacks, tied for third-most in the NFL, including seven in a 26-7 loss to Denver last week.
But Tampa Bay returned two starters to practice on Wednesday, defensive tackle Vita Vea and right offensive tackle Luke Goedeke. That’s good news for Tampa Bay’s offense because Philadelphia smothered the league’s No. 1 offense in a 15-12 win at New Orleans last week.