The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have stumbled, losing four of their last five games and seeing their NFC South lead evaporate. Before Thursday night’s divisional showdown with the Atlanta Falcons, the Bucs offense needs to get back on track.
Tampa has scored 20 or fewer points in each of the last three weeks (1-2) and Baker Mayfield has not reached the 200-yard mark in four games.
The lack of offense has coincided with first-round pick Emeka Egbuka hitting a rookie wall. After averaging 89.0 yards receiving through the first five weeks, Egbuka has put up just 45.1 yards per game over the last eight tilts, despite seeing an uptick in targets — 9 over the last eight games compared to 7.6 in the first five. Drops have been a big deal, with an NFL-high six since Week 6, according to Next Generation Stats. He also has an NFL-low 40.3 catch percentage since Week 6 (minimum 40 targets).
Despite the struggles, offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard said Tuesday that there was no confidence from the rookie.
“I don’t even think it’s confidence — he’s a very confident guy,” Grizzard said, via the team’s official transcript. “What we have asked him to do.” [as a] A rookie is taken for granted a lot – even by the coaching staff. It is not easy to do what he has done playing all three positions. He’s a guy who came in here from day one and has prepared himself the right way. He has played all three positions. He has won games for us. We have all the confidence in the world in him. We’re going to try to get him early, often, with the game on the line – which he’s proven he can do. No one is more dissatisfied with him than himself.”
Egbuka lost big in Sunday’s 24-20 loss to the New Orleans Saints after a potential game-tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter. After toasting the defense with a great chance, the rookie was open in the end zone but had the goal slip through his hands. The mistake was emblematic of the Bucs’ recent struggles: Skilled enough to get into position, but unable to come down with the key play.
“I’m on this team for one reason, and that’s to get the ball, and I didn’t do that,” Egbuka said Sunday after the loss.
Despite his recent struggles, Egbuka leads the Buccaneers with 54 catches, 806 yards and six TD catches. He is second among rookies in receiving yards and tied for most TD receptions.
The focus around Tampa this week has been the potential returns of Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan. Getting Egbuka back on track would also do wonders for a Bucs club trying to fend off the Carolina Panthers in the division race.