Despite how things have gone recently, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have another chance to right the ship against a far inferior opponent on Thursday night. The only question is will they manage to stay out of their own way long enough to make it happen?
The Bucs host the Falcons for the NFC rivals' final matchup this season, and it couldn't come at a better time.
After losing a one-score contest in Week 14 to the lowly Saints, the Bucs are reeling and suddenly in must-win territory. Tampa Bay has now lost five of its last seven, and is tied with Carolina in the NFC South.
On paper, the Bucs should win, but there are some major concerns that could end up holding them back -- again.
Emeka Egbuka keeps dropping passes
Emeka Egbuka is third in the NFL in drops this season with eight, and last Sunday was no different. The rookie receiver dropped a late-touchdown pass that would have tied the game, but forced a field goal. Tampa Bay's receivers have struggled lately, but Egbuka is at the top of the list.
Egbuka caught just two of nine targets for 15 yards in Week 14, which continued his putrid stretch. After a hot start to the season, the Ohio State standout has had 43+ receiving yards twice since Week 5. Drops are a key contributor to his downfall, but Egbuka must step up against a strong Falcons secondary.
Thankfully, drops are just Egbuka's problem. Tez Johnson, Sterling Shepard, and Cade Otton combined have three drops this season. Despite a perennially injured receiving room this season, Baker Mayfield can rely on these targets the most.
Bucs' pass defense is totally nonexistent
The Bucs don't face a potent pass offense in Week 15, because Tampa Bay has been awful at defending it. They're near the bottom of the league in pass yards allowed per game, but Week 14 was different.
Despite all the Tyler Shough hype entering the game, the Bucs allowed just 144 passing yards, no touchdowns, and secured an interception. The problem is that the rookie scampered for 55 yards on the ground.
In Week 15, the Bucs will face a terrible offense, one of the worst in the league. Starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr's season abruptly ended after tearing his ACL, and Kirk Cousins took over. Cousin's has been mediocre at best, and certainly not warranted any trade consideration.
Drake London has been out for three weeks straight, and the Falcons have used three undrafted free agents as depth pieces in his absence.
The Bucs' secondary has a get-right game ahead of them, and if they struggle, there may be no hope.