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BY IRA KAUFMAN

Through two weeks, the 2023 Bucs have established something worth celebrating — an identity.

A formula is now in place for a young, hungry team eager to prove its many skeptics wrong. That offensive balance Dave Canales has stressed since his arrival seems to be working. The Bucs won’t be leading the NFL in pass attempts for the third consecutive season.

Not even close.

Lavonte David

Canales and Todd Bowles are on the same page in this book of dreams. The Bucs will rely on stout defense, enhanced special teams play and some deep shots downfield. And then there’s Job 1 … winning the turnover battle.

“We’re going to play hard until the clock ends,” says Lavonte David. “That’s what we’re gonna continue to do. And the emphasis is on complementary football. We take the ball away as much as we can and our offense is playing mistake-free football.”

The Bucs are in for quite a challenge Monday night, but they believe they can hang with the defending NFC champions.

“We know who we are,” says Christian Izien, who is excelling at nickel corner as an undrafted rookie. “Whether people outside believe in us or not, we don’t care. I can’t wait to go out Monday night and play the Eagles.”

A 2-0 getaway isn’t surprising when you register a plus-5 turnover margin that ranks second only to the Cowboys. The Bucs finished minus-2 last season, contributing significantly to an 8-9 record. Tampa Bay is one of only five teams without a giveaway through the first two weeks of the season.

Baker Mayfield, the league’s fifth-rated passer, has been adept at avoiding negative plays. He has yet to throw a pick in 68 pass attempts and he’s been sacked only once. On Sunday against the Bears, Mayfield gave a master class in avoiding pass rushers who broke free.

“That’s a huge emphasis for us every week — take care of the ball.” says Tristan Wirfs. “It’s so important in winning games. The least we can do is be secure with the football. We do our best to hold up in protection, but he (Mayfield) is the one slinging the rock.”

“Baller” Baker, says Tristan Wirfs.

While Mayfield isn’t much of a threat to run, he has displayed surprising pocket presence.

“It’s crazy,” Wirfs says. “You hear the crowd going crazy and you see somebody hanging onto Baker’s ankle, like a little dog. It’s really cool how crafty he is, how shifty he is in keeping plays alive. He’s a baller and we appreciate it. We’re doing our best to keep him clean and he’s fighting for us.”

The Buc defense wore down in 2022, undermined by a nickel-and-dime attack that ultimately went bankrupt. Mike Evans went 11 consecutive games without saying hello to the end zone and Tom Brady’s fear of taking a hit limited his willingness to take shots downfield.

The Eagles boast a formidable array of pass rushers to test Tampa Bay’s overhauled offensive line. Even if Evans or Chris Godwin find themselves wide-ass open, Mayfield may be under too much duress to find them.

Heavyweight Bout

The Eagles rank No. 1 in QB knockdowns, No. 2 in presures and No. 3 in hurries. Their front seven is deep and talented, so don’t look for Philadelphia’s pass rushers to run out of gas, even in sultry conditions.

Unlike the Bears, the Eagles thrive in the trenches. Their offensive line has few peers, so the Bucs can’t afford a dropoff in physicality. It’s been one of Tampa Bay’s trademarks, along with a defensive mindset that emphasizes swarming to the football.

After the Bears marched 90 yards for a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter to pull within three points, the Bucs gathered for a defensive meeting. It was brief and to the point.

“We looked at each other and said, ‘We’re better than that.’ That whole drive was some mistakes on our end,” David said. “These guys are making me feel young, so I love it.”

Bowles has insisted on smart, physical football for 18 months and the message is finally sinking in.

The Bucs don’t give the ball away while a hustling defense keeps manufacturing turnovers. Izien already has two interceptions heading into an intriguing prime-time matchup.

“Izien’s living right,” David says. “The ball’s finding him. I need some of what he’s been taking.”