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yesterday

Rookie Emeka Egbuka’s Late TD Lifts Buccaneers Over Falcons 23-20

Baker Mayfield lauded the first-rounder’s poise following an expanded Week 1 role due to injuries.

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Sep 7, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) celebrates with wide receiver Mike Evans (13) after scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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Overview

  • Egbuka caught four passes for 67 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead 25-yarder with 59 seconds left following an earlier 30-yard score.
  • Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo missed a 44-yard attempt with two seconds remaining after Chase McLaughlin’s missed extra point kept overtime in play.
  • Mayfield finished 17-of-32 for 167 yards and three touchdowns and called Egbuka “the real deal,” a sentiment echoed by head coach Todd Bowles.
  • Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr. went 27-of-42 for 298 yards and led an 18-play drive capped by a 4-yard rushing TD for a late 20-17 lead, but Tampa Bay’s defense limited the Falcons to 69 rushing yards.
  • Drafted No. 19 out of Ohio State, Egbuka stepped into a larger role with Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan sidelined, validating months of preseason praise in his NFL debut.