The Tampa Bay Buccaneers sit at 3-1 on the year, and a big reason for that has been the play of rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka.
Through the opening month, Egbuka and Baker Mayfield have been on some sort of wavelength with Emeka leading the Buccaneers in touchdowns (four) and receiving yards (282) with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans out with injury.
Drafted in the first round, Egbuka has been exactly who the franchise wanted him to be and as a result, won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award for his standout performances.
And for offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, it wasn't unexpected.
“That was pretty cool,” Grizzard said. “We saw it even from day one of rookie mini-camp and what he can do. Just being able to see the things from the Ohio State tape show up early and often in the spring and then now that it's happening in the games, it's fantastic to see. Just the conversations he was just having out there with Mike [Evans] on how to run routes, just soak in all the knowledge from Chris [Godwin] and Mike, he's in a great spot right now.”
More: Buccaneers' Emeka Egbuka claims first NFL award after blistering opening month
Buccaneers face brutal three weeks
With the 31-25 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, it started a tough month for the Buccaneers, who are dealing with a host of injuries on both sides of the ball.
But it's about to get tougher.
The Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers and the Detroit Lions are up next for Todd Bowles' team in what looms as a crucial three-week stretch.
Sitting at 3-1, the Buccaneers are in good shape, but given their injuries, there is a real chance Tampa Bay could slip back into the chasing pack of the NFC with two of those three games on the road.
It has been a good start for the Buccaneers, but it could all evaporate in the next three weeks, which is nightmare fuel for the NFC South champs.
More Buccaneers news:
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- Bucky Irving injury fantasy tip: Pick up Rachaad White or Sean Tucker? Buccaneers' RB depth chart in focus | Sporting News
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- Bucky Irving injury update from Wednesday is terrible news for Bucs RB's Week 5 status | Sporting News