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Browns at Bucs: Former Cleveland Leader Baker Mayfield Returns as Both Teams Chase First Win
Cleveland and Tampa Bay, each 0-1, meet Sunday in Tampa with contrasting expectations and several matchups — including Emeka Egbuka against Denzel Ward — that could decide the game.
The Browns visit Raymond James Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m. EDT (CBS) with both clubs entering the matchup 0-1. Cleveland opened the season with a 34-10 loss to Jacksonville; Tampa Bay fell 33-27 to Cincinnati. The betting line favors the Buccaneers by 8½ and the all-time series still belongs to Cleveland, 7-4, with the teams’ last meeting a 23-17 overtime Browns victory on Nov. 27, 2022 in Cleveland.
Baker Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick in 2018 who grew into the leader Cleveland expected when they drafted him, is now the Buccaneers’ starter and produced a strong statistical line in Week 1: 23 of 28 for 216 yards, a rushing touchdown and three lost fumbles. Receiver Emeka Egbuka had five catches for 63 yards against the Bengals and was heavily featured early in Tampa Bay’s opener; when Egbuka lines up wide right, Cleveland plans to put five-time Pro Bowl corner Denzel Ward on him, and Egbuka could see coverage from Tyson Campbell or Myles Harden depending on alignment.
Cleveland’s offense is led by Deshaun Watson for a second straight start while rookie Shedeur Sanders remains inactive on the sideline and could get an opportunity when the Browns return home next week. Watson completed 16 of 22 passes for 205 yards with one touchdown, ran for 38 yards and threw an interception in Week 1. Rookie wideouts Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion combined for 102 receiving yards with Boston scoring a touchdown, and linebacker Carson Schwesinger — the 2025 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year — paced Cleveland with 10 tackles and a tackle for loss.
The clubs enter the game with very different seasonal outlooks. Cleveland faces a difficult AFC North and figures to battle for the division basement, while Tampa Bay plays in an NFC South in which all four teams lost their openers. The Buccaneers are 0-1 to start the season for the first time since 2020, and Tampa Bay will aim to use its home opener and the crowd at Raymond James Stadium to turn the page and secure its first victory of 2026.