Atlanta Falcons Preview @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Week 15 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons comes at a critical time in the NFC South race. The Buccaneers come in at 7-6, tied with the Carolina Panthers for the division lead after their Week 14 bye.
That makes Thursday’s home game much more important than it was a month ago. A loss would not only hurt Tampa Bay’s grip at the top of the division, but could also complicate its playoff positioning with just three games remaining.
The Buccaneers’ recent form is a major concern. Since their Week 10 bye, they have lost four of five and have struggled to generate consistent momentum on either side of the ball.
Their problems at Raymond James Stadium have been even more concerning; Tampa Bay repeatedly found itself chasing late contests. Baker Mayfield was statistically productive, but the offense lacked rhythm, relying heavily on explosive plays or late-game rushes to stay competitive.
Atlanta comes with its own problems. The Falcons were comfortably beaten by the Seattle Seahawks in Week 14, continuing a rough stretch in which the team struggled to find balance on offense.
The move from Michael Penix Jr. to Kirk Cousins, forced by Penix’s season-ending injury, has yet to produce the upside Atlanta hoped for.
Cousins has been helpful, putting together effective runs in recent games, but the offense has been inconsistent and the Falcons have lacked sustained drives at key times. Defensively, Atlanta struggled to limit big plays, a problem that resurfaced in the loss to the Seahawks.
Despite their struggles, the Falcons can still threaten Tampa Bay. Bijan Robinson remains their central weapon, capable of changing the game both on the ground and as a receiver. He’s already crossed 1,000 rushing yards and continues to be Atlanta’s most reliable source of chunk yards.
The Falcons will likely lean heavily on him to keep Mayfield and Tampa Bay’s offense off the field.
Tampa Bay, meanwhile, is hoping its improved offensive health can translate into more precise execution. Rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka has become the star of their passing game, leading all Tampa pass catchers and proving to be a consistent threat after the catch.
He punished Atlanta in Week 1 with two touchdowns, and his recent performance suggests he will play a central role again on Thursday.
