Buccaneers had very concerning 42.9% Baker Mayfield problem in Week 1

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1, largely because of their offensive struggles for most of the game.

Four fumbles were obviously a huge issue, but that's something that likely won't continue. The Buccaneers can hold onto the ball next week and beyond. There's a different issue with Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers in Week 1.

As ESPN's Ben Solak highlighted, Mayfield's passing plan, throwing 42.9% of his passes behind the line of scrimmage, is a major problem for the Buccaneers that cannot continue if this offense wants to have any level of success.

"42.9%: That's the percent of Baker Mayfield's pass attempts that were behind the line of scrimmage. It's a career high," Solak writes. "... This is concerning. No offense wants to live behind the line this often, and certainly not the Buccaneers, who have a deep pass-catching core featuring Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., Ted Hurst III, and Jalen McMillan (who was inactive)."

This plan from Mayfield and the Buccaneers should concern the fanbase. While this might be a one-off issue, if the Buccaneers offense keeps throwing so often behind the line of scrimmage, there will be real concerns about the offense going forward.

Throwing behind the line of scrimmage isn't a bad thing. Kenny Gainwell and Bucky Irving are great running backs in such a role, and even the wide receiver room has a strong assortment of weapons who can thrive on screens and short routes.

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But having nearly half of their passing plays be plays behind the line of scrimmage is not remotely good enough for the Buccaneers' offense.

Mayfield and Zac Robinson need to start pushing the ball down the field more this season. This 42.9% behind the line of scrimmage passing plan from the Buccaneers cannot keep happening if they're to be taken seriously.

This offense should be much better than they were in Week 1, and this conservative passing plan was a major issue. Tampa Bay needs to push the ball down the field more, even if only beyond the line of scrimmage.

Having so many of their passing plays starting behind the line of scrimmage is not something a modern offense can justify. They have to move the ball down the field.