The Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night Football in Week 15, a matchup with significant playoff implications for the NFC South leaders. Both teams have struggled recently, with Tampa Bay holding a 7-6 record tied atop the division and Atlanta at 4-9 after seven losses in their last eight games. Key returns from injury could boost the Buccaneers' offense against a Falcons defense strong in sacks and pass defense.
Game Preview
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6) welcome the Atlanta Falcons (4-9) to Raymond James Stadium for a Thursday Night Football showdown at 8:15 p.m. ET. This NFC South rivalry game carries weight for Tampa Bay, which clings to first place via tiebreaker over the Carolina Panthers, also at 7-6. A win would boost the Buccaneers' chances of securing a fifth straight division title to 83%, per SportsLine projections, while a loss drops it to 59%. Atlanta, eliminated from playoff contention after a 37-9 loss to Seattle, plays out the string but remains competitive with a ninth-ranked pass defense allowing 191.5 yards per game and third in the NFL with 43 sacks.
Recent Struggles and Key Stats
Tampa Bay has lost five of its last seven games, including a 24-20 defeat to New Orleans last week where quarterback Baker Mayfield completed 14 of 30 passes for 122 yards. Mayfield, who has thrown for 2,722 yards, 20 touchdowns, and six interceptions this season, has failed to reach 200 passing yards in five of his last six outings. Rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka has been a bright spot with 54 receptions for 806 yards and six touchdowns, including two scores in the teams' Week 1 meeting, a 23-20 Buccaneers victory in Atlanta.
The Falcons' rushing attack, led by Bijan Robinson's 1,081 yards (fourth in the NFL) on 215 carries and five touchdowns, poses a challenge to Tampa Bay's eighth-ranked run defense (100.6 yards allowed per game). Robinson also contributed six catches for 100 yards and a touchdown in the earlier matchup. Atlanta's Kirk Cousins has completed 60.9% of his passes for 845 yards and three touchdowns in six starts, but the team has covered the spread in three straight trips to Tampa.
Injury Updates
Tampa Bay activated wide receivers Mike Evans (collarbone) and Jalen McMillan (neck) from injured reserve, potentially reuniting them with Egbuka for the first time this season. Evans has 14 catches for 140 yards and one touchdown in limited action, while McMillan missed the year so far after a preseason injury. Both are questionable. For Atlanta, Drake London (knee) is out for his fourth straight game, and defenders Brandon Dorlus (groin) and Jalon Walker (quadriceps) are questionable.
Betting Odds and Predictions
The Buccaneers are 4.5-point favorites with a total of 44.5 points. Models project a Tampa Bay win, 26-20, and lean over on the total at 46 points, though one expert favors the under. Tampa Bay's remaining schedule includes division games against Carolina twice, heightening the stakes in this contest.
