3 winners (and 2 losers) for Buccaneers in preseason loss to Steelers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers began preseason in defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Wins and losses aren't important this time of year, but individual performances count.

Bucs coach Todd Bowles had an opportunity to evaluate players on the roster bubble and in positional battles. There were positives and negatives from the performance, but it was generally a frustrating game for the Bucs with plenty to fix.

Tampa Bay turned the ball over twice and made far too many sloppy mistakes, including 12 penalties that handed Pittsburgh an additional 127 yards. That must improve.

Here are three winners and two losers for the Bucs in their preseason opener.

Winner: Baker Mayfield

Baker Mayfield started the game, and he will be satisfied with his performance. Mayfield didn't play for long, but completed eight of nine passes for 63 yards and a touchdown, earning a passer rating of 132.9. Job done.

Mayfield couldn't have done any more. He threw a beautiful touchdown pass to rookie Trey Palmer in the back corner of the end zone.

Crucially, Mayfield didn't make any costly mistakes. He has turned the ball over frequently at training camp but was efficient in the preseason opener.

The quarterback battle isn't over yet, but Mayfield made a positive start to the preseason.