Fresh off activating Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan, the Buccaneers (7-6) don creamsicle throwbacks to host the Falcons (4-9) tonight in a key NFC South clash at Raymond James Stadium (8:15 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime). Full inactives released and key stats highlight spoilers vs. division leaders amid injuries.
Building on initial previews, Tampa Bay—tied atop the NFC South and seeking a fifth straight title—gets a boost with WR Mike Evans returning from a Week 7 broken collarbone (plus prior hamstring; missed nine games, on sub-1,000-yard pace) and Jalen McMillan making his debut post-preseason neck injury. QB Baker Mayfield plays through shoulder issue after Bucs' 1-4 post-bye skid.
Atlanta, eliminated but spoiling, benched rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. (season-ending knee) for Kirk Cousins (1-3 as starter). Cousins owns Bucs: 74.7% completion, 785 yards, 8 TDs, 1 INT in two 2024 games (127.8 rating); Tampa allowed NFL's 4th-most pass yards (4,147). RB Bijan Robinson (NFL-leading 1,683 total yards) targets Bucs' 23rd-ranked defense (25 PPG allowed). TE Kyle Pitts paces Falcons (23 targets, 65.7 rec. yds avg last 3 games).
Falcons' 37-9 loss to Seahawks: Cousins 50% cmp/2 INTs, Robinson 86 rush yds. Bucs fell 24-20 to Saints last week.
Confirmed Inactives: Falcons—Drake London (knee, 4th straight; 100+ yds in 5/6 prior), Jamal Agnew, JD Bertrand, Michael Jerrell, Casey Washington, Malik Heath, Elijah Garcia. Buccaneers—SirVocea Dennis, Cade Otton, Tykee Smith, Elijah Simmons, Benjamin Morrison, Elijah Klein, Connor Bazelak.
Buccaneers favored by 4.5 (O/U 44.5). Coverage continues post-kickoff.
