Bucs Blow Late Lead, Fall to Falcons - and Out of First Place
Remember when the Buccaneers were 5-1 and looked like one of the NFC’s most balanced teams? That feels like a distant memory now. After Thursday night’s stunning collapse at home against the Falcons, Tampa Bay has lost its grip on the NFC South lead - and with just three games left, their playoff hopes are officially on thin ice.
This one will sting for a while.
Tampa Bay had a two-touchdown lead with under 14 minutes to play. After capitalizing on a Falcons turnover and punching in a score to go up 28-14, it looked like the Bucs were finally putting together a complete win. Instead, they unraveled in dramatic fashion.
The Collapse
It started with a Bijan Robinson touchdown run that cut the lead to 28-20. Then came the turning point: Baker Mayfield, trying to answer back, threw a costly interception to Dee Alford.
The Falcons wasted no time turning that takeaway into another touchdown. They missed the two-point conversion - again - but suddenly it was a two-point game.
Atlanta’s defense stepped up again, forcing a punt and giving Kirk Cousins one more shot. What followed was a chaotic, bizarre, and ultimately gut-wrenching final drive for the Bucs.
On the second play, Haason Reddick came off the edge and sacked Cousins, jarring the ball loose. It looked like Tampa Bay had a shot at sealing the win right there, but in the scrum for the fumble, officials ruled that both teams recovered the ball simultaneously - and by rule, that means the offense keeps it.
From there, the Falcons clawed their way down the field. A holding penalty and an incompletion put them in a deep hole at third-and-28.
But Cousins found Kyle Pitts for a 14-yard gain, and on fourth down, David Sills V slipped behind the zone for a clutch conversion. A quick pass to Darnell Mooney and a five-yard penalty on the Bucs moved the Falcons into field goal range.
Zane Gonzalez stepped up and drilled a 43-yarder as time expired.
Final score: Falcons win. Bucs stunned. And just like that, Tampa Bay is no longer atop the NFC South.
Bowles Doesn’t Hold Back
After the game, head coach Todd Bowles - typically reserved and measured - didn’t mince words. He was furious, emotional, and clearly fed up.
“You don’t make excuses,” Bowles said. “You got to care enough where the loss hurts.
It’s got to mean something to you. It’s more than just a job - it’s your livelihood.
How well do you know your job? How well can you do your job?”
He didn’t stop there. Bowles made it clear that the responsibility now lies with the players.
“At this point, you’ve seen everything in the season,” he said. “The coaches have done everything they can do.
This is a player-driven team in the last four or five weeks. You’ve got to execute, and they’ve got to hold each other accountable.
Until they start doing the little things right - and we’re talking about a small, select few - that’s what’s getting us beat.”
Injuries Have Taken a Toll - But Not the Whole Story
The Bucs have been banged up, no question. Thursday was Mike Evans’ first real action since Week 3.
Chris Godwin has only suited up for six games this season. Jalen McMillan, the promising second-year wideout, made his season debut Thursday after a preseason neck injury.
The offensive line’s been hit hard too, with multiple starters - including All-Pro tackle Tristan Wirfs - missing time.
Still, it’s not as if Mayfield is throwing to a bunch of practice squad call-ups. Rookie Emeka Egbuka has been one of the league’s breakout stars, leading all rookies in receiving yards and ranking ninth overall. Sterling Shepard is a steady veteran presence, and tight end Cade Otton has quietly put together a solid season.
This offense has enough talent to stay competitive. But over the past six games, they’ve dropped five of them. And that’s not just about injuries - that’s about execution, consistency, and closing games.
What’s Next?
At 7-7, the Bucs are still alive in the playoff race, but the margin for error is gone. The Panthers, now 7-6, have leapfrogged them for first place and hold the edge heading into the final stretch.
The good news? Tampa Bay still controls its own destiny.
They face Carolina twice in the final three weeks, with a matchup against Miami sandwiched in between. Win out, and the Bucs win the division.
But based on what we’ve seen lately - especially Thursday night - that’s a big ask.
Around the Sports World Last Night
While the Bucs were unraveling, here’s what else caught our eye:
- Nicolas Batum’s mental mistake cost the Clippers a chance at a comeback against the Rockets. A tough moment for a usually savvy veteran.
- Nikola Jokić’s footwork in the post continues to be a masterclass. There’s not a big man in the league with better balance and feel in tight spaces.
- Steven Stamkos lit the lamp four times for the Predators in a vintage performance.
- Connor McDavid’s no-look, between-the-legs assist to Zach Hyman was pure magic. Hyman finished the night with a hat trick - the sixth of his career.
- Maple Leafs goalie Dennis Hildeby made a jaw-dropping behind-the-back save. Yes, you read that right.
Bottom Line
The Bucs had this one in their hands. A 14-point lead at home, in the fourth quarter, with the division on the line - and they let it slip away.
Now they’ve got three weeks to save their season. The path is still there.
But the clock is ticking.