Baker Mayfield’s three lost fumbles against Cincinnati moved him into the lead for most turnovers by any NFL player since 2018. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Browns v. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sunday, 1 p.m., in Raymond James Stadium; Tampa, FL

Record: 0-1.

Last game: Lost to Cincinnati Bengals, 33-27, September 13, in Cincinnati.

Coach: Todd Bowles, 36-37, fifth year; 62-78 overall.

Coordinators: Zac Robinson (offense), Todd Bowles (defense), Danny Smith (special teams).

Series record: Browns lead, 7-4.

Last meeting: Browns won, 23-17, in overtime, November 17, 2022, in Cleveland.

League rankings: Offense is 20th overall (20th rushing, 16th passing), defense is 14th overall (22nd rushing, 21st passing), and turnover differential is minus-3 (29th).

Where they stand

Baker Mayfield has admitted he circled this game on his calendar in May when the schedule was announced. It’s the Bucs’ home opener and Mayfield’s second game against the team that drafted him first overall in 2018 and then dumped him in 2022 to Carolina for a 2024 fifth-round draft pick after the Browns had traded the farm for Deshaun Watson. Mayfield, heroically, nearly defeated the Browns in the 2022 season opener; a 58-yard field goal by Cade York with :08 on the clock saved the Browns a 26-24 win and probably a few coaches jobs, too. In Tampa, the Browns will find an angry Mayfield after he lost three fumbles in Tampa Bay’s 33-27 loss in Cincinnati. Mayfield has led the NFL in fumbles the past two seasons and now has 35 in 52 games with the Buccaneers.

Things to watch

1. Mayfield’s three lost fumbles in Cincinnati moved him ahead of Josh Allen for the most turnovers (125) in the NFL since 2018. Mayfield has a lot of positive statistics, too – his 95 touchdown passes rank second since 2023 and his 12,453 passing yards rank third. The turnovers are significant, however, because they stand in the way of Mayfield taking his team far in the playoffs and moving him into the upper echelon of NFL quarterbacks. Mayfield’s fearless play is both his strength and weakness. His style subjects him to injuries and although he plays through them, his efficiency drops off accordingly. The Bucs recently invested $165 million over three years in a new deal for Mayfield. They expect to challenge for the NFC South division title but have only an undrafted free agent, Jalon Daniels, behind him.

2. The revelation of Game 1 was rookie receiver Ted Hurst, a 6-3 pass catcher from Georgia State taken in the third round. Hurst had three key catches in the fourth quarter to help make a game of it in Cincinnati. Hurst could eventually fill a void in Tampa’s three-receiver offense left by the free agency defection of Mike Evans. He’ll get more play time now with Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin.

3. Poor tackling has been a chronic problem under Bowles. The Bucs are hoping rookie linebacker Josiah Trotter can help correct that. Trotter, a second-round draft pick, debuted with 10 tackles, one sack and a Pick 6 interception for a touchdown.

4. Running back Bucky Irving is a big part of the Bucs’ offense. Injuries cut Irving’s production from 1,122 yards and eight TDs as rookie to 588 yards and one TD in 2025. Healthy now, Irving had 93 total yards in Game 1, including 48 on a game-high seven receptions. The elusive Irving can be an explosive ball-carrier; he averaged 5.4 yards per rush in 2024. He was fourth among running backs in 2024 in forced missed tackles.

Did you know … ?

1. Emeka Egbuka was fourth among rookie pass catchers in 2025 with 63 receptions and third with six touchdowns.

2. As the Browns’ kicker in 2021, Chase McLaughlin made 71.4% (15 of 21) of his field goal attempts. He’s in his fourth season as Tampa’s kicker. In 52 games with the Bucs, McLaughlin has made 90.3% (93 of 103) of his field goals, including 27 of 31 from 50 yards or more. McLaughlin made 11 in a row from 50+ last season – the longest such streak in NFL history.

3. The Bucs have 11 interceptions in 11 games all time against the Browns.

4. Tampa Bay GM Jason Licht, in his 12th season, is fifth in tenure among NFL GMs.

Small world: Baker Mayfield was the NFL’s first overall draft pick made by the Browns in 2018. Mayfield was traded to Carolina after the 2021 season … Kicker Chase McLaughlin played for the Browns in 2021 … Todd Bowles was a Browns secondary-nickel package coach from 2001-2004 … Pass game coordinator George Edwards was Browns linebackers coach in 2004 … Safeties coach Tim Atkins was a Browns defensive assistant in 2014-15 … Linebackers coach Mike Caldwell played for the Browns in 1993-95.