4 surprise winners (and 4 big losers) from Buccaneers’ embarrassing loss to Falcons

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers squandered a 28-14 fourth-quarter lead and suffered a humiliating 29-28 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in front of a national audience in Week 15.

The loss sent ripple effects through the organization. Mike Evans stormed off the field following the late-game collapse and displayed about as much anger as he’s ever shown in his career. Fans booed the home team off the field after the game. Head Coach Todd Bowles is facing the most scrutiny he’s endured throughout his tenure. If this game didn’t serve as a wake-up call, nothing will.

Despite all this, the loss wasn’t as damaging as it could’ve been, as the New Orleans Saints pulled off a major upset win over the Carolina Panthers to resurrect Tampa Bay’s hopes in the NFC South title race.

With a few days to digest the outcome, it wasn’t all bad for Tampa Bay. Some players did their part to pull off what would’ve been a massive win. Others failed to hold up their end of the bargain, and are deservedly facing a lot of criticism from a frustrated fanbase.

Winners and losers for Buccaneers in Week 15 loss to Falcons

Winner: Mike Evans

Evans made his long-awaited return after breaking his collarbone all the way back in Week 7, and he was back like he never left. Evans had 6 catches for 132 yards, making some difficult catches and also drew multiple penalties.

His presence took attention away from the Bucs’ other wide receivers, which made life easier for everybody involved in the passing game.

In one of the most disappointing losses for Tampa Bay over the last few years, Evans served as a major bright spot and looked like the Bucs’ best player on the field, as he's often been throughout his career.

Loser: Baker Mayfield

Mayfield delivered a solid performance, for the most part. But when it mattered most, he gave the game away with an inexplicable interception with an eight point fourth-quarter lead. 

With a chance for redemption and a chance to ice the game for Tampa Bay, Mayfield missed an open Emeka Egbuka, stopping the clock and allowing Atlanta to get the ball back.

The Bucs have high expectations for Mayfield as their starting quarterback, and he hasn’t been meeting them throughout the second half of the season. The team needs him to get back to performing at the elite level that we know he is capable of, or doubts and questions will continue to rise surrounding his long term future in Tampa Bay.

Winner: Chris Godwin Jr.

Seeing Godwin show flashes of the reliable weapon he has been throughout his career was highly encouraging and proved to be one of the biggest positives to take away from the loss.

He caught four of five targets for 20 yards and a touchdown, and added a two-point conversion. His numbers don’t jump off the stat sheet, but Godwin made a few difficult catches and delivered his best performance of the year.

Loser: Todd Bowles

Bowles’ defensive unit hasn’t held up their end of the bargain throughout the second half of the season, and the fans let him know on his way off the field following the loss.

The team has had a mid-season slump in every season he’s been the coach, and this year might be the worst of all. After a 6-2 start tied the best record through eight games in franchise history, the team has completely collapsed, losing five of their last six to fall to 7-7.

Bowles’ defense had the Falcons right where they wanted them – with a 3rd-and-28 and 4th-and-14 to determine the game. Tampa Bay allowed Atlanta to convert and get into field goal range for the win. The Bucs went from holding a 28-14 lead in the 4th quarter to leaving with a 29-28 loss.

While it is up to the players to execute, the awful performance by a relatively healthy defensive unit as of late is starting to become a major indictment against Bowles, and his seat feels hotter than ever following this disastrous loss.

Winner: Jalen McMillan

McMillan made his season debut after suffering a scary injury in the preseason, breaking three vertebrae in his neck.

Miraculously, McMillan recovered quickly and looked strong in his return to action. He caught 2 passes for 38 yards, and was just inches away from his first touchdown of the season but was ruled down at the 1-yard line.

McMillan’s energy was infectious, and he was clearly ecstatic to be back playing football. Having him back in the fold after his impressive rookie season significantly raises the ceiling for the wide receiver room, and him returning from injury and getting back on the field is a win itself.

Loser: Kindle Vildor

Vildor was involved in the plays that everyone will remember from this game. On 3rd-and-28, he was shaken out of his shoes by tight end Kyle Pitts and his failed tackle attempt allowed a big gain to set up a more manageable fourth-down try.

Then, on 4th-and-14, instead of dropping back with the receiver and defending the first-down marker, Vildor stayed shallow to defend the checkdown.

While we can’t be certain of what his exact responsibility was on the fourth-down play, it sure looked like Vildor made a significant mental error with the game on the line that set the Falcons up for the winning field goal.

Winner: Emeka Egbuka

Rounding out the winners group, we have yet another member of the wide receiver room. It was the first time all season Tampa Bay had all four of their top receiving options, and they showed up.

Egbuka caught four passes for 64 yards, making it his most productive game since back in Week 10 against the New England Patriots.

Having Evans and McMillan back in the fold created more opportunities for Egbuka, and he took advantage.

Egbuka had really slowed down in recent weeks after looking like the surefire Offensive Rookie of the Year during the first half of the season, so seeing him have a solid performance was an encouraging sign as he looks to get back on track and get past the rookie wall he’s seemingly hit.

Loser: Lavonte David

David will always be a franchise icon, but his fall from grace during his 13th NFL season has been apparent.

David missed several tackles and also struggled in coverage. To be fair to David, his counterpart for this game, Nick Jackson, also really struggled which didn’t help make things easier. But we hold David to an entirely different standard than an undrafted free agent playing his first significant reps.

The writing seems to be on the wall, as this is almost certainly David’s final season. At age 35, he’s given Tampa Bay everything he has left in the tank, Father Time comes for everybody, and there’s no shame in that. But the last few weeks have made it clear that finding David’s successor will be a major priority this offseason.