Baker Mayfield praises Buccaneers offensive line after 37-20 win over Commanders

Unlike last year, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the season with high expectations, and they've taken their first big step toward living up to the hype.

Baker Mayfield, who signed a $100 million contract over the offseason, came out firing to silence the doubters with a four touchdown game as the Bucs blew the doors off Washington 37-20. Mike Evans hauled in two of those scores, while Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan combined for 115 yards and the other two scores.

One of the biggest narratives coming into the season, and one that has lingered for the last two, was how well the offensive line would hold up. Jason Licht invested a top draft pick in Graham Barton and re-tooled the pieces around him and Tristan Wirfs, and the early returns are fantastic.

Tampa Bay kept Baker mostly clean, allowing just one sack and opening up massive holes for Rachaad White and Bucky Irving to run through. A lot went well for the Bucs on Sunday, but how the offensive line stepped up is something everyone is praising.

Baker Mayfield shouts out Buccaneers offensive line after blowout win over Commanders

After the win, Baker praised his offensive line on two separate occasions, noting that they entire unit held up against a tough defensive front.

"Those two guys [Washington] has on the interior are no slouches, so I thought guys played well up front," Baker said. "Any time you're that efficient on offense the big men up front play well ... I feel really confident, like I thought they played really well."

He also gave praise to new offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who called one of the highest scoring games of the last few years for Tampa Bay.

"I thought Liam called a great game," Baker said. "Didn't really have to reach into the tool box that much."

It's notable that the Bucs scoring 37-points came on the same day that Dave Canales' Carolina Panthers struggled to score 10. A lot was made about whether the Bucs would be able to operate without Canales, and it seems that no beats were skipped, and things might be better off than they were last year.

More Tampa Bay Buccaneers news and rumors