Rookie shines as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers strike first in a big game against the Chargers
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Rookie shines as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers strike first in a big game against the Chargers

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have developed a great habit of starting games with successful offensive possessions. That trend continued on Sunday as the Buccaneers wasted no time getting to work against the number one scoring defense in the NFL, the Los Angeles Chargers.

After his best game of the season in which he scored two touchdowns against the Raiders, rookie receiver Jalen McMillan made the first big play for the Bucs when he hauled in a 19-yard reception to move the Bucs toward midfield .

READ MORE: Bucky Irving’s game status for Buccaneers vs. Chargers will be announced on Sunday

However, it wouldn’t be his only contribution to Tampa Bay’s opening game.

Just a few plays later, the Bucs executed a beautifully crafted rub play that confused several Chargers defenders and ultimately left McMillan wide open, which Baker Mayfield immediately recognized before catching the talented rookie for a 26-yard TD reception found.

The touchdown reception is McMillan’s third in his last five quarters of football, and the latest performance was a huge boost for an offense that has been in need of a playmaker since Week 7, when Chris Godwin was sidelined with a season-ending injury was.

McMillan now has 4 receiving touchdowns this season, the most for a Bucs rookie since OJ Howard had 6 in 2017

Stick with it Bucs game day for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2024 season.

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