The entire offensive line
For as good as the Bucs have looked through the first two games of the season, things will hinge on how well the offensive line can play against one of the best defensive fronts in the league. This feels like a game that will be won in the trenches, which is a bit nerve-wracking for Bucs fans who know the struggles the team has had up front over the last season.
Last year was a disaster, but the thing that stood out the most was how poor the offensive line group was. Injuries played a key role but there was simply no protection for Tom Brady and things got so bad that the GOAT looked like a shell of himself. Brady was under constant harassment which contributed to one of the worst offensive performances in the league.
The good news is that so far this year the offensive line has looked nothing like what it did last year. Ryan Jensen injury aside, the front has remained healthy and is building week-to-week on a strong start. Part of why Baker Mayfield has played mistake-free football is because he hasn't been under a ton of pressure which is a testament to the offensive line.
Both guards Cody Mauch (69) and Matt Feiler (71) are able to get to the 2nd level to block LBs pic.twitter.com/4seQVGJ4W0
— Kendell Hollowell (@KHollowell_) September 20, 2023
Baker had to extend plays on his feet last week against a very bad Bears team, but he has only been sacked once this season and has some of the lowest pressure rates of his career. That's going to need to get kicked into overdrive on Monday night because the Eagles are going to come after Baker unlike he's seen so far this year. It's pretty clear that getting pressure on him is something that could throw the offense off its rhythm and Philly is the best-equipped team to do that yet.
The offensive line is going to have its hands full, but a solid performance from that group will go a long way in building confidence that could carry through the rest of the season.