Well, Bucs fans, you can cancel your Monday morning EKGs that you have been routinely needing through the first five weeks of the season.
For the first time all season, the Bucs did not have a game come down to a score in the final minute of the game as they won by a score of 30-19. Baker Mayfield solidified himself as the front-runner as the league MVP after his performance against the 49ers, and he was able to do what he did with the players he had at his disposal. The defense also had one of its better performances as it got after quarterback Mac Jones, forced him to throw two interceptions, and kept its talented offense in check. They gave up several big plays, but the defense bent but never broke as a result.
With that all in mind, we have some studs and duds to discuss.
Stud: Baker Mayfield
The MVP of the league through six weeks can be found in Tampa Bay on the 5-1 Bucs. Baker Mayfield showed again on Sunday why he is in a league of his own this season based on his play and leadership. The turnovers are at an all-time low for Mayfield, the offense has been scoring points as a result, and they are breaking opposing defenses all season, and Sunday was no different. He was the biggest stud performer of them all on Sunday, and he has been nearly every week all season long.
Dud: SirVocea Dennis
SirVocea Dennis was once again a liability on defense for the Bucs as they struggled to cover the middle of the field. He struggles to change direction, make tackles in open field, or to do much other than be tasked with the occasional blitz that shows his straight line ability. I get that the team has to keep trotting him out for chances to prove himself, but enough is enough. There will be a new linebacking group on the field in 2026, and Dennis should not be there.
Stud: Kameron and Tez Johnson
Kameron and Tez Johnson did not expect to be the wide receivers that led the Bucs unit by the end of Week 6, but they were when it was all said and done. When Emeka Egbuka went down with a hamstring injury, there was a thought that this team was doomed in terms of being able to remain efficient in their passing attack. What happened was that both young wide receivers stepped up, made big plays with impressive touchdowns, and showed they can rise to the occasion.
Dud: Team Health
The Bucs lost yet another notable player on the roster as they lost Emeka Egbuka to a hamstring injury. The players they have lost are enough to make even the biggest disbeliever wonder if there is something else at work here in terms of a curse, as this team cannot catch a break. On offense alone, they are now down Mike Evans, Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, Luke Goedeke, Cody Mauch, and Bucky Irving heading into Week 7. Now, some of those players could return against the Lions, but most will still be out. This team has got to get healthy, and when they do that, they will solidify themselves as Super Bowl contenders.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Studs and duds from the Bucs Week 6 win over the 49ers
