Can Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka turn around his latest struggles with a big game in a Thursday Night Football showdown with the Atlanta Falcons?
It’s a huge game for the Buccaneers and one of the storylines to watch heading into NFL Week 15.
After a strong start to his rookie season, the Ohio State product has hit a bit of a rookie wall. He started the season averaging 89.0 receiving yards per game and looking very much like an NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate. In the last few weeks, those numbers have tailed off with him featured more in the offense due to the absence of wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
With more targets in the passing game, Egbuka has struggled with drops, including a crucial drop in the team’s 24-20 loss to the New Orleans Saints. The Buccaneers’ offense will get a jolt with the return of Evans and second-year wide receiver Jalen McMillan, but Baker Mayfield and the offense really need the Egbuka they got in the first few weeks of the season. Could the Falcons be just the right remedy for the 2025 NFL Draft first-round pick to look dynamic again?
Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator on Emeka Egbuka
While the drops could put a dent in a rookie’s confidence, Buccaneers offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard doesn’t believe that is the case with Egbuka. He believes in his rookie wide receivers’ confidence and ability to turn things around.
"I don't even think it's really confidence -- he's a very confident guy," Grizzard said, via the team's official transcript. "What we've asked him to do [as a] rookie gets taken for granted a lot -- even from the coaching staff. It's not easy to do what he's done on playing all three positions. He's a guy that came in here from day one and has prepared the right way. He's played all three spots. He's won games for us. We have all the confidence in the world in him. We're going to try to get it to him early, often, with the game on the line -- which he's proven he can do. No one's more upset with him than himself."
Atlanta Falcons (4-9) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6) game details: How to watch, odds
Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025 | Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Gillette Stadium – Foxborough, MA
TV: ESPN | Live Stream: Fubo TV (try for free)
Betting Odds: Buccaneers -4.5; over/under 44.5 (via DraftKings)
Emeka Egbuka vs Falcons’ defense
With Evans, McMillan, Godwin and running back Bucky Irving all back on the field, there will be an opportunity for Egbuka to really get going again. With the Falcons second in the league in blitz rate, it could lead to more targets to Egbuka given the Buccaneers are able to pick up those blitzes and Mayfield is able to get the ball out quickly.
In the first matchup against the Falcons, Ebuka had 4 receptions for 67 yards and 2 touchdowns. While the Falcons are ranked ninth in the league in pass defense, all the weapons the Buccaneers will have on the field should allow someone to have a big game. Why not Egbuka?
Bold prediction: In a must win for the Buccaneers, Mayfield and the offense will get flowing again. That does mean a big night for the rookie wide receiver who is due for a big game. In a 31-14 win, Egbuka hauls in 5 catches for 85 yards and a touchdown. Don’t be surprised if he accounts for the first touchdown of the game.