<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-injury-woes-force-bucs-play-makeshift-o-line-texans');   ga('set', 'title', 'Injury woes could force Buccaneers to play makeshift o-line vs. Texans');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Luke-Goedeke-and-Cody-Mauch.jpg"><figcaption>Bob Donnan-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Injury woes could force Buccaneers to play makeshift o-line vs. Texans</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-12T12:31:59-07:00">September 12th, 12:31pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-12T12:31:59-07:00">September 12th, 12:31pm</time><address><a>Benedetto Vitale</a>Benedetto Vitale is an avid sports writer who is an expert at covering the NFL, college football, NBA, and UFC. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 2016 with a film degree but has since dedicated his career to sports writing.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/buccaneers-vs-texans-bold-predictions-week-2-2025-nfl-season">Tampa Bay Buccaneers aim to advance to a 2-0 record</a> when they take on the Houston Texans on “Monday Night Football.” However, it appears the club is experiencing injury woes on the offensive line that could spell trouble for quarterback Baker Mayfield.</p><p>Right tackle Luke Goedeke missed practice again on Friday, and it sounds like the Buccaneers may be forced to <a href="https://x.com/NFLSTROUD/status/1966525373941711195" rel="noopener">utilize a makeshift offensive line</a>, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. It’s said that right guard Cody Mauch could be the only offensive lineman who will be playing his original position on Monday night.</p><p>“Not a good sign for the Bucs’ makeshift offensive line. RT Luke Goedeke is not practicing again today. Charlie Heck could get the start at RT. That would mean only RG Cody Mauch would be in his original position in the OLine Monday night. Still several days to go.”</p><p>With Heck potentially in line to start at right tackle, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-tampa-bay-makes-eye-opening-offensive-line-changes-week-1">the Buccaneers could be in serious trouble</a> on the offensive line. Due to the injuries the team is experiencing right now, Tampa Bay may have to sign players off the practice squad or free agency just to have some backup options for the trenches.</p><p>Goedeke, who is 26 years old, suffered an ankle injury in the Buccaneers’ season-opening 23-20 win against the Atlanta Falcons. Left tackle Tristan Wirfs is another offensive lineman who is struggling with injury woes as well. Wirfs is working his way back from a knee injury he originally sustained in the 2024-25 season. He was forced to undergo surgery on the knee in July.</p><p>It’s a less-than-ideal situation for Tampa Bay, but the good news is that it’s still early in the season. There is still plenty of time for the Buccaneers’ offensive line to get healthy as the season progresses. Having some of the starters return to action within the next couple of weeks would be a major benefit to Mayfield and the offense.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Injury woes could force Buccaneers to play makeshift o-line vs. Texans

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-chris-godwin-next-step-recovery-week-2');   ga('set', 'title', 'Buccaneers’ Chris Godwin takes next step in recovery ahead of Week 2');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Chris-Godwin.jpg"><figcaption>Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Buccaneers’ Chris Godwin takes next step in recovery ahead of Week 2</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-11T09:11:41-07:00">September 11th, 9:11am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-11T09:11:41-07:00">September 11th, 9:11am</time><address><a>Dan Fappiano</a>Dan Fappiano is a Connecticut-based sports journalist with over five years of professional experience. After graduating from Central Connecticut State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism, he has covered every sport from fencing to football in the online and print medium. Dan hopes to see his beloved Bears win a Super Bowl someday.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers seem to have found a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/rethinking-buccaneers-emeka-egbukas-offensive-rookie-of-the-year-chances-after-stellar-nfl-debut">premier offensive weapon in rookie Emeka Egbuka</a>. However, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-rumors-chris-godwins-injury-return-target-date-revealed">when fellow wide receiver Chris Godwin makes his return</a> to the gridiron, the Buccaneers’ offense will only be more dynamic.</p><p>Godwin took a <a href="https://x.com/RapSheet/status/1966154914566152679" rel="noopener">giant step towards making that return</a>, as he is expected get in a limited practice on Thursday, via Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. While he still has a ways to go before actually suiting up, it’s at least a sign that Godwin is getting closer.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Good news for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bucs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bucs</a>: Star WR Chris Godwin is expected to practice today for the first time and he’ll be limited. Part of his return to play process, but a very good sign. <a href="https://t.co/YBq4HEFGt1">pic.twitter.com/YBq4HEFGt1</a></p><p>— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1966154914566152679?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 11, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Godwin is making his way back from offseason ankle surgery. He and the team are targeting a Week 5 return date, <a href="https://x.com/RapSheet/status/1964712951191064645" rel="noopener">although they could wait</a> until Week 7, via Rapoport. Ultimately, the Buccaneers want to ensure Godwin is fully healthy before making his return. Before his ankle issues, the receiver tore his ACL in 2021.</p><p>When on the field though, Godwin has been a crucial contributor to the Buccaneers. Since joining the team in 2017, he has caught 579 passes for 7,266 yards and 39 touchdowns. The receiver is a former Pro Bowl bower and is a member of Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl winning team in 2021.</p><p>Egbuka’s emergence could change Godwin’s role slightly in 2025. However, the team signed him to a three-year, $66 million extension prior to the season. Joining Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan, when he returns from injury, the Buccaneers are hoping Godwin helps Tampa Bay host one of the best passing attacks in the NFL.</p><p>The Bucs will continue to stay cautious with Godwin and work him back from his injury at his speed. But as he gets closer to his return, Tampa Bay is salivating at the idea of what their offense can look like.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Buccaneers’ Chris Godwin takes next step in recovery ahead of Week 2

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/buccaneers-vs-texans-bold-predictions-week-2-2025-nfl-season');   ga('set', 'title', 'Buccaneers vs. Texans bold predictions for Week 2 of 2025 NFL season');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Buccaneers-vs-Texans-bold-predictions-for-Week-2-of-2025-NFL-season.jpg?w=1024"></figure><h1>Buccaneers vs. Texans bold predictions for Week 2 of 2025 NFL season</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-10T18:03:02-07:00">September 10th, 6:03pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-10T18:03:02-07:00">September 10th, 6:03pm</time><address><a href="https://linktr.ee/jordan.llanes">Jordan Llanes</a>Jordan Llanes is a sports writer and reporter based in Florida. In addition to ClutchPoints, he writes for a few other publications covering the NFL, college sports and Tottenham Hotspur. When he's not writing, Jordan enjoys spending time with his fiancée, cats, family and friends, as well as catching the latest TV shows and movies, and traveling.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Texans</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Week 2 will feature the first Monday Night Football doubleheader. In the opening contest, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-chris-long-places-tampa-bay-in-super-bowl-conversation">Tampa Bay Buccaneers will travel</a> to Texas to take on the Houston Texans. Each team got off to a different start in Week 1. The Buccaneers travelled to division rival Atlanta and defeated the Falcons 23-20. Tampa Bay exorcised the demons from its 2024 NFC South title run when they lost to the Falcons twice.</p><p>Meanwhile, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-most-blame-close-week-1-loss-rams">the Texans travelled west</a> to take on the Los Angeles Rams. Many expected a strong offensive showing from both teams, considering the talent that each unit had. Instead, it was a defensive struggle. While Houston’s defense held up its end of the bargain, quarterback C.J Stroud and the offense struggled in a 14-9 loss.</p><p>Now, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-cj-stroud-drops-truth-bomb-on-houstons-offseason-progress">Texans will need to focus</a> on stopping a division-winning football team. The Bucs are going for their fifth straight NFC South crown. If Houston can’t bring their A-game on Monday Night Football, there’s a strong chance that Tampa Bay will come to NRG Stadium and tame the home crowd. Houston’s defense will need to pitch another excellent outing for the Texans to claim their first victory in 2025. Can Houston come together in all three phases and defend their home turf against the visiting Buccaneers?</p><h2><b>Texans’ pass rush led by Danielle Hunter torments Buccaneers’ O-Line</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Texans-EDGE-Danielle-Hunter.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>After eight seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/grading-danielle-hunters-2-year-49-million-contract-with-texans">Hunter joined the Texans</a> last offseason. In his first season with Houston, Hunter once again notched double-digit sacks with 12. It was his sixth season of double-digit takedowns. The veteran also played in all 17 games for the third straight season. On Monday night against a potentially reshuffled Buccaneers’ offensive line, Hunter will sack Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield three times, including twice in an explosive first half.</p><p>Hunter and fellow edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. will cause <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-tampa-bay-makes-eye-opening-offensive-line-changes-week-1">mayhem for the Buccaneers’ bookends.</a> If Graham Barton once again plays left tackle on Sunday in place of injured All-Pro Tristan Wirfs, Hunter will be licking his chops. Look for the veteran to have a vintage game, while Anderson Jr. pitches in two sacks and a couple of pressures of his own. Will it be enough to limit the Bucs’ offense under the bright lights of Monday night?</p><h2><b>Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield leads second-half comeback</b></h2><p>After Hunter, Anderson Jr., and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-will-anderson-jr-makes-texans-history-disappointing-titans-loss">the Texans’ pass rush feast</a> on the Buccaneers’ offensive line in the first half, the Texans will head into the locker room leading 14-6. Mayfield is sacked five times. Three of those takedowns lead to an offensive drive ending. Kicker Chase McLaughlin makes two field goals, one from a short distance and another from 45 yards, to keep the Bucs within a single score.</p><p>At halftime, offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard adjusts the game plan, allowing the veteran signal caller more freedom at the line. Mayfield and the offense start the second half off hot, marching down the field in eight plays to tie the game with a touchdown and two-point conversion. The third quarter ends after the Texans and Buccaneers exchange touchdown drives, heading into the final frame at 21 points apiece. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-todd-bowles-100-real-on-bucs-narrow-road-loss-to-texans">Will the Buccaneers escape Houston</a> with a win, or can the Texans clinch their first victory of 2025?</p><h2><b>Buccaneers rookie Emeka Egbuka snags game-winner for 2nd straight week</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Buccaneers-WR-Emeka-Egbuka.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>A 21-21 tie will give way to the Texans taking a 24-21 lead midway through the fourth quarter. Once again, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/houston-texans/texans-news-demeco-ryans-sends-fired-up-message-ahead-of-week-1">Texans’ pass rush will cause</a> some issues, but a renewed focus on the quick passing game and delayed handoffs to running back Bucky Irving consistently stings Houston’s defense. The Buccaneers almost convert a fourth down that would allow them to at least tie the game, but fall short.</p><p>Yet, Tampa Bay’s defense holds firm. They limit Stroud and the passing game, as safety Antoine Winfield Jr. follows up an excellent opener versus the Falcons with an even better outing in Space City. With a little over a minute left in the game, Mayfield and Irving team up with rookie Emeka Egbuka to methodically take down the Texans’ defense. On third and goal from the four-yard line, Mayfield throws a dart to a diving Egbuka for the game-winning touchdown. Once again, the growing connection between the veteran quarterback and rookie target pays off nicely. A 2-0 start will go a long way towards <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/fantasy-sports/buccaneers-news-espn-insider-emeka-egbuka-fantasy-football-tip">helping the Buccaneers retain</a> their NFC South title once again.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Buccaneers vs. Texans bold predictions for Week 2 of 2025 NFL season

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-chris-long-places-tampa-bay-in-super-bowl-conversation');   ga('set', 'title', 'Chris Long place Buccaneers in Super Bowl conversation');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Baker-Mayfield.jpg"><figcaption>© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Chris Long place Buccaneers in Super Bowl conversation</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-09T15:30:52-07:00">September 9th, 3:30pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-09T15:33:53-07:00">September 9th, 3:33pm</time><address><a>Zachary Weinberger</a>Zachary Weinberger joined ClutchPoints in October 2023 as a Miami Heat reporter as well as an Associate Editor. He graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2022 after covering the school's athletic programs since his freshman year at the FAU University Press, where he was a Sports Editor and Editor-in-Chief. He then covered FAU Sports for The Palm Beach Post.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>As the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-todd-bowles-delivers-message-after-thrilling-falcons-game">Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Atlanta Falcons</a>, 23-20, last Sunday afternoon, the football world has been hyping up the team regarding what they accomplish this season. With the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-emeka-egbukas-shooting-to-kill-mic-drop-week-1-heroics">Buccaneers led by the heroics of Emeka Egbuka</a>, former player Chris Long would go as far as to say that the team should be in the conversation to win the Super Bowl.</p><p>Long spoke to Rich Eisen on his self-titled show, where he spoke about predicting Tampa Bay to contend for the Super Bowl before the regular season started. Despite them not being a big-market team, he would go into how injuries plagued them last season and how they <a href="https://x.com/ESPNNFL/status/1965492584995864715" rel="noopener">“quietly go so much better.”</a></p><p>“I did put the Bucs in the Super Bowl this year before the season started, because I just think they quietly got so much better,” Long said. “They got a lot better on defense, I think, again, confirmation bias, we look at the Bucs last year, not a big market team, and we see them, you know, on red zone, or we catch little snippets of them. The Falcons score like 100 points in two games against them.”</p><p>“A lot of it’s because they had injuries,” Long continued. “And you think about the quarterback of your defense, Antoine Winfield, who’s fantastic, missing much of the year…SirVocea Dennis, they didn’t really have a pass rusher opposite Yaya Diaby. I think Kancey and Vea are fantastic inside. And they add Hasson Reddick.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">“I did put the [Tampa Bay Buccaneers] in the Super Bowl this year before the season started.”</p><p>Chris Long has the Buccaneers as one of the teams on his list to reach the Super Bowl this season 👀</p><p>Stream the <a href="https://twitter.com/RichEisenShow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RichEisenShow</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/DisneyPlus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DisneyPlus</a> and the ESPN App. <a href="https://t.co/11wVMKMIwP">pic.twitter.com/11wVMKMIwP</a></p><p>— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNNFL/status/1965492584995864715?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><h2><b>Chris Long on the impact that Emeka Egbuka had on the Buccaneers</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Emeka-Egbuka-celebrating.jpg"><figcaption>Brett Davis-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>When <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-emeka-egbuka-scores-1st-career-touchdown-dime-baker-mayfield">Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield connected with Egbuka on his first touchdown</a> reception, it was just a taste of what’s to come for the team on the offensive side of the ball.</p><p>The rookie wide receiver would catch two touchdown passes in the contest, garnering the attention of Long, who spoke about how head coach Todd Bowles was “giddy” about the multiple moves made this offseason in the NFL Draft.</p><p>“I think that the key, though, is Todd Bowles was giddy this offseason,” Long said. “Talking about the two main corners that they were able to draft in Morrison and Parrish, and Parrish playing in the slot, and Parrish made a big play, knocking them out of field goal range. On Sunday, Morrison didn’t even play. So they have depth now. They also are like, yeah, we’ve got a bunch of great receivers, but we didn’t have all of them last year. Let’s go draft this Egbuka guy who scored two touchdowns for him on Sunday.”</p><p>Tampa Bay looks to be 2-0, as the team faces the Houston Texans next Sunday.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Chris Long place Buccaneers in Super Bowl conversation

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-emeka-egbukas-shooting-to-kill-mic-drop-week-1-heroics');   ga('set', 'title', 'Emeka Egbuka’s ‘shooting to kill’ mic drop after Week 1 Buccaneers heroics');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Emeka-Egbuka-catching-and-running.jpg"><figcaption>Brett Davis-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Emeka Egbuka’s ‘shooting to kill’ mic drop after Week 1 Buccaneers heroics</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-08T08:00:53-07:00">September 8th, 8:00am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-08T08:00:53-07:00">September 8th, 8:00am</time><address><a>Ben Strauss</a>Ben Strauss is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He is a die-hard NFL fan who cheers for the Detroit Lions. He has previously written fantasy football content for IDPGuys and ImportantNonsense.com.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did what every NFL team wants to do in Week 1. Tampa got a big win against a division rival, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-emeka-egbuka-heroics-saved-by-falcons-field-goal-debacle">defeating Atlanta 23-20 on Sunday</a>. The headline of the game was the incredible play of one Buccaneers rookie who ended up making the difference in this one.</p><p>Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/week-1-nfl-takeaways-bills-comeback-packers-parsons" rel="noopener">dropped a bold statement</a> after the team’s big Week 1 victory.</p><p>“We weren’t going for a field goal—we are shooting to kill,” Egbuka told Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer as he was leaving the stadium. “We’re playing for the touchdown. We ran that play a few times, but we didn’t have the right look, whether it was pressure or getting the ball out fast. So opposite hash on this one, Baker and I looked at each other in the huddle and …”</p><p>Egbuka was amazing in his NFL debut. The rookie receiver hauled in four receptions for 67 yards and two touchdowns. That included a 25-yard touchdown that ended up deciding the game.</p><p>Of course, Tampa ended up needing more than Egbuka’s heroics to win the game. Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo missed a 44-yard field goal attempt that would have sent the game into overtime. Instead, it guaranteed Tampa’s victory.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/rethinking-buccaneers-emeka-egbukas-offensive-rookie-of-the-year-chances-after-stellar-nfl-debut">Egbuka is already receiving Offensive Rookie of the Year hype</a> after his strong Week 1 performance.</p><p>The Buccaneers will have a completely different offense if Egbuka becomes a superstar wide receiver.</p><h2><b>Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles’ loud message after Week 1 victory over Falcons</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Buccaneers-news-Todd-Bowles-delivers-loud-message-after-thrilling-Falcons-game.jpg"><figcaption>Brett Davis-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles was unusually excited after his team’s Week 1 victory.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-todd-bowles-delivers-message-after-thrilling-falcons-game">Bowles gave a passionate locker room speech</a> where he praised his team for the tough win.</p><p>“Guys, that’s a h*** of a job. Keep fighting now, I know it’s only your first game, and I’m not usually like this, but yeah!” Bowles exclaimed.</p><p>But then he went right back into coach mode. Bowles explained that the Buccaneers have not earned anything yet and need to keep fighting to win games.</p><p>“We got a long way to go,” Bowles added. “We understand that we fight like that, we’ll win most of our ball games. Guys, I will see you guys on Monday.”</p><p>At this point, the NFC South still looks like it runs through Tampa Bay.</p><p>Next up for the Buccaneers is a Monday Night Football matchup against the Texans in Week 2.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Emeka Egbuka’s ‘shooting to kill’ mic drop after Week 1 Buccaneers heroics

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-todd-bowles-delivers-message-after-thrilling-falcons-game');   ga('set', 'title', 'Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles delivers loud message after thrilling Falcons game');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Buccaneers-news-Todd-Bowles-delivers-loud-message-after-thrilling-Falcons-game.jpg"><figcaption>Brett Davis-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles delivers loud message after thrilling Falcons game</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-07T19:41:42-07:00">September 7th, 7:41pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-07T19:41:42-07:00">September 7th, 7:41pm</time><address><a>Richard Pereira</a>Richard Pereira joined ClutchPoints in January 2025 as an Associate Editor. He earned his degree from Florida Atlantic University in 2023 and has been covering the school's athletic programs since 2020, having served as a Sports Editor at the FAU University Press. He was granted the unique opportunity to report on the men's basketball team's journey to the Final Four in Houston for FAU Owls Nest during March Madness, consistently striving to grow as a sports journalist.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Todd Bowles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have high morales after <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/atlanta-falcons/falcons-news-michael-penix-jr-backs-younghoe-koo-fatal-miss">getting past the Atlanta Falcons</a> in a 23-20 thriller.</p><p>Both teams exchanged blows throughout the course of the game. Tampa Bay possessed the lead as Atlanta had a field goal that could have the tied the score to force overtime. However, Younghoe Koo’s attempt went wide right as the Buccaneers got to have a sigh of relief with the miss.</p><p>Bowles <a href="https://x.com/Buccaneers/status/1964833625926410611" rel="noopener">talked to his team</a> about the win, as Tampa Bay posted video from the locker room. Safe to say, he had plenty of energy for his squad.</p><p>“Guys, that’s a h*** of a job. Keep fighting now, I know it’s only your first game, and I’m not usually like this, but yeah!” Bowles exclaimed.</p><p>“We got a long way to go. We understand that we fight like that, we’ll win most of our ball games. Guys, I will see you guys on Monday.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">KEEPING THIS ENERGY ALL SEASON 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/CJnK61ktww">pic.twitter.com/CJnK61ktww</a></p><p>— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Buccaneers/status/1964833625926410611?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><h2><b>How Todd Bowles, Buccaneers played against Falcons</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Buccaneers-news-Todd-Bowles-delivers-loud-message-after-thrilling-Falcons-game-2.jpg"><figcaption>Brett Davis-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>It was a solid win for the Buccaneers to get over their division rival Falcons. Beating them on their own home field was the cherry on top.</p><p>Baker Mayfield did not have his best performance accuracy-wise but made plenty of plays down the stretch. He completed 17 passes out of 32 attempts for 167 yards and three touchdowns while making five rushes for 39 yards.</p><p>Bucky Irving led the run game as he ended the day with 14 carries for 37 yards while making four catches for eight yards and a touchdown. As for the receivers, Emeka Egbuka shined in his season debut with four receptions for 67 yards and two scores. Mike Evans came next with five catches for 51 yards while Sterling Shepard provided three receptions for 39 yards.</p><p>The Buccaneers will look forward to their next matchup, remaining on the road. They face the Houston Texans on Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. ET.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles delivers loud message after thrilling Falcons game

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/rethinking-buccaneers-emeka-egbukas-offensive-rookie-of-the-year-chances-after-stellar-nfl-debut');   ga('set', 'title', 'Rethinking the Buccaneers’ Emeka Egbuka’s Offensive Rookie of the Year chances after stellar NFL debut');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Emeka-Egbuka-is-off-to-a-sharp-start-in-his-NFL-career.jpg"><figcaption> Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Rethinking the Buccaneers’ Emeka Egbuka’s Offensive Rookie of the Year chances after stellar NFL debut</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-07T17:38:33-07:00">September 7th, 5:38pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-07T17:39:28-07:00">September 7th, 5:39pm</time><address><a>Steve Silverman</a>Steve Silverman has been covering the NFL for more than 35 years, and his writing has appeared in ESPN Magazine, Bleacher Report, CBS Sports, Pro Football Weekly, and Forbes.com. He has written 10 books, including "Who's Better, Who's Best in the NFL." He has won multiple awards from the Pro Football Writers of America.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Emeka Egbuka was a polished receiver throughout his spectacular career at Ohio State. He played with Jaxon Smith-Njigba during his college career and he also played with spectacular freshman Jeremiah Smith when he helped the Buckeyes win the national championship last year. Egbuka was not usually the headliner when playing for Ohio State, but he did everything right on the field.</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-emeka-egbuka-scores-1st-career-touchdown-dime-baker-mayfield">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> certainly noticed Egbuka and loved what they saw when they studied him in the weeks and months leading up to the draft. Despite a need on the defensive line, the Bucs used the No. 17 pick to select Egbuka.</p><p>Egbuka left Ohio State as the career receptions leader with 205 and he was second in career receiving yards with 2,868.<br>The 6-1, 205-pound wide out caught 81 passes for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns in his senior year.</p><h2><b>Egbuka has demonstrated to Bucs thathe belongs in the NFL </b></h2><p>If any of his new teammates questioned why general manager Jason Licht decided to bring Egbuka into the fold with such a valuable pick, they stopped asking about it in the early days of training camp. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-tampa-bay-makes-eye-opening-offensive-line-changes-week-1">The Buccaneers</a> veterans saw a mature player who went about his business quietly and performed like an accomplished professional. Instead of trying to make a name for himself so he would stand out, he quickly appeared to be a perfect fit for the system and a solid target for quarterback Baker Mayfield.</p><p>There were no nerves or anxiety that showed up in Tampa Bay’s season opener against the Atlanta Falcons. Egbuka may have felt he was back at Ohio State and the Buckeyes were playing against a Mid-American Conference opponent like Miami of Ohio. He ran decisive routes through the Atlanta secondary and caught four of six targets for 67 yards and <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore/_/gameId/401772830">two touchdowns</a>. He led Tampa Bay in receiving, contributing more than superstar Mike Evans or Sterling Shepard in the 23-20 road victory.</p><p>He has made his first adjustment to the NFL and he looks like he will be able to contribute on an every-week basis. Instead of being a complementary player who works his way into the Tampa Bay game plan slowly, he looks like he will be a featured performer for Mayfield and head coach Todd Bowles.</p><p>Don’t count out Egbuka making a strong run at the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.</p><h2><b>Competition for the OROY honors will be challenging</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Ashton-Jeanty-is-the-key-to-the-Raiders-running-attack.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The rookie of the year award is not given out after the first week of play, and Egbuka will face plenty of competition. He will most likely face quite a bit of heat in the weeks to come when other rookies step forward.</p><p>Ashton Jeanty of the Las Vegas Raiders was selected with the No. 6 pick after his spectacular career at Boise State.<br>Jeanty is a running back who combines shocking strength with surprising speed. Those two characteristics give Jeanty power when he runs, and he could easily surpass 1,200 rushing yards this season.</p><p>The Bears selected tight end Colston Loveland with the No. 10 pick in the first round. Loveland was a game-breaking pass catcher and playmaker during his college career at Michigan. Head coach Ben Johnson wants to see Loveland take on the same role with the Bears.</p><p>The Green Bay Packers have a potential gamebreaker in wideout Matthew Golden. The 5-11, 191-pound speedster from Texas has a chance to make big plays every week because he is one of the fastest receivers in the league.</p><p> </p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Rethinking the Buccaneers’ Emeka Egbuka’s Offensive Rookie of the Year chances after stellar NFL debut

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-emeka-egbuka-heroics-saved-by-falcons-field-goal-debacle');   ga('set', 'title', 'Emeka Egbuka’s heroics saved by Falcons’ field goal debacle');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Emeka-Egbuka-celebrating.jpg"><figcaption>Brett Davis-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Emeka Egbuka’s heroics saved by Falcons’ field goal debacle</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-07T14:28:46-07:00">September 7th, 2:28pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-07T14:28:46-07:00">September 7th, 2:28pm</time><address><a>Lorenzo J Reyna</a>Lorenzo J Reyna is an Associate Editor covering the NFL and NCAA Football for ClutchPoints. He's equipped with past experience for both realms through his recent stops at Pro Football Network and Heavy while also writing for 247Sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers turned Emeka Egbuka into an immediate gameday hero. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-emeka-egbuka-scores-1st-career-touchdown-dime-baker-mayfield">The rookie did more than score his first Bucs touchdown</a>. His heroics got saved by a botched field goal attempt by the Atlanta Falcons.</p><p>Younghoe Koo lined up for a 44-yard attempt to send the game into overtime. Koo misfired on the attempt — sealing the 23-20 win for Tampa. And ensuring Egbuka would dominate the postgame chatter.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">YOUNGHOE KOO MISSES THE KICK!!! <a href="https://t.co/HBNRmUrJbp">pic.twitter.com/HBNRmUrJbp</a></p><p>— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenBrownPL/status/1964787467384697086?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The Ohio State standout snatched his first score with two defenders near him. Egbuka still split the deep coverage and scored during the third-and-two scenario.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">EMEKA EGBUKA. First career TD!</p><p>TBvsATL on FOX<a href="https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt">https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt</a> <a href="https://t.co/05Q2Zo9VuV">pic.twitter.com/05Q2Zo9VuV</a></p><p>— NFL (@NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1964751484601708909?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Egbuka wasn’t through after his “welcome to the NFL” moment. With trips to the right, Egbuka drew the one-on-one with the cornerback. He raced to the end zone and brought down his second TD.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">EMEKA EGBUKA. THE ROOKIE. AGAIN.</p><p>TBvsATL on FOX<a href="https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt">https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt</a> <a href="https://t.co/pLyQEvaSG4">pic.twitter.com/pLyQEvaSG4</a></p><p>— NFL (@NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1964784487809847585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The national champion wide receiver garnered hefty praise after the Bucs’ road win. Including from the one handing him the ball.</p><h2>Emeka Egbuka ‘doesn’t play like a rookie,’ Buccaneers star says</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Emeka-Egbuka-catching-and-running.jpg"><figcaption>Brett Davis-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Buccaneers team reporter Scott Smith <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/_vbYcvjV3xE?si=6pbomSuzj9LHQ-lE" rel="noopener">caught these words</a> coming from Baker Mayfield. Who worked with a slightly different looking offensive lineup.</p><p>“Baker Mayfield says Emeka Egbuka is ‘the real deal,’ total professional, doesn’t act or play like a rookie,” Smith said.</p><p>Mayfield entered the game <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-tampa-bay-makes-eye-opening-offensive-line-changes-week-1">with some offensive line changes on the Bucs</a>. Tight end<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-pass-catcher-groin-injury-falcons-game"> Cade Otton even was a pregame decision</a> as he dealt with a groin ailment.</p><p>Otton never caught a pass. Mayfield only threw the ball to five different receivers. Mike Evans led the way with five catches for 51 yards.</p><p>But again, Egbuka stole the show down in Atlanta. He ended his afternoon luring in four catches for 67 yards and crossing the end zone twice.</p><p>He sparked multiple reactions on the internet. Including from a familiar X account he knows well.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="hu">EMEKA. EGBUKA. 🗣️</p><p>— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/OhioStateFB/status/1964784424995971455?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Tampa even won with the offense mustering just 260 total yards on the day. Including 159 through the air. Yet still discovered a new breakout WR for Mayfield and the reigning NFC South champs.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Emeka Egbuka’s heroics saved by Falcons’ field goal debacle

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-emeka-egbuka-scores-1st-career-touchdown-dime-baker-mayfield');   ga('set', 'title', 'Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka scores 1st-career touchdown on dime from Baker Mayfield');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Egbuka-vs-the-Falcons.jpg"><figcaption>Brett Davis-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka scores 1st-career touchdown on dime from Baker Mayfield</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-07T11:21:27-07:00">September 7th, 11:21am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-07T11:21:27-07:00">September 7th, 11:21am</time><address><a>Jackson Stone</a>Jackson Stone is a Mercer University alum from Atlanta who graduated with a BA in communications. A lifelong sports lover, Jackson is a die-hard fan of all Atlanta teams. He joined ClutchPoints in 2023.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hit the road to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-tampa-bay-makes-eye-opening-offensive-line-changes-week-1">take on the Atlanta Falcons</a> in an NFC showdown to start off the new season for both teams. The<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-rumors-chris-godwins-injury-return-target-date-revealed"> Buccaneers are looking</a> to extend their impressive streak of division titles against arguably their biggest competition in the division this year.</p><p>While they got off to a slow start on Sunday, relinquishing a Bijan Robinson touchdown on their first drive and going out twice in a row on offense. However, they eventually got things to click and ended up finding rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka for <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1964751484601708909" rel="noopener">an impressive touchdown</a> to give themselves a 10-0 lead in the second quarter.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">EMEKA EGBUKA. First career TD!</p><p>TBvsATL on FOX<a href="https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt">https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt</a> <a href="https://t.co/05Q2Zo9VuV">pic.twitter.com/05Q2Zo9VuV</a></p><p>— NFL (@NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1964751484601708909?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Egbuka was selected in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft out of Ohio State, where he became the school’s leading wide receiver of all time and also won a national championship last year, coincidentally in the same building where he scored his first NFL touchdown on Sunday.</p><p>Egbuka joins a talented group of Buccaneers wide receivers that includes future Hall of Famer Mike Evans as well as Chris Godwin, who will miss the beginning of this season as he recovers from injury.</p><p>Egbuka figures to give quarterback Baker Mayfield yet another weapon to find down the field as Tampa Bay looks to make it to another postseason appearance and this time, legitimately compete for a Super Bowl.</p><p>Last year, Tampa Bay won the division once again but bowed out to the Washington Commanders at home in the Wild Card round; however, the team was dealing with various injuries by the time that game rolled around, including to Godwin.</p><p>Now, Tampa Bay figures to be one of the more balanced teams on both sides of the ball in the NFL, and Egbuka’s infusion of talent should only help them reach their ultimate goal.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka scores 1st-career touchdown on dime from Baker Mayfield

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-tampa-bay-makes-eye-opening-offensive-line-changes-week-1');   ga('set', 'title', 'Buccaneers make eye-opening offensive line changes for Week 1');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Buccaneers-OL-Graham-Barton.jpg?w=1024"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Buccaneers make eye-opening offensive line changes for Week 1</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-07T09:52:47-07:00">September 7th, 9:52am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-07T10:06:15-07:00">September 7th, 10:06am</time><address><a href="https://linktr.ee/jordan.llanes">Jordan Llanes</a>Jordan Llanes is a sports writer and reporter based in Florida. In addition to ClutchPoints, he writes for a few other publications covering the NFL, college sports and Tottenham Hotspur. When he's not writing, Jordan enjoys spending time with his fiancée, cats, family and friends, as well as catching the latest TV shows and movies, and traveling.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Tampa Bay <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-vita-vea-gets-encouraging-update-before-falcons-showdown">Buccaneers will open their defense</a> of the NFC South crown Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. Travelling to their closest division rival can be a tricky trip, as the Buccaneers have suffered their fair share of speed bumps in Atlanta. Winning at Mercedes Benz Stadium to open this season would be a big boost to Tampa Bay. However, that task just received an interesting wrinkle. Bucs GM Jason Licht revealed that the offensive line would receive a trio of changes in wake of left tackle Tristan Wirfs’ injury. The biggest among them is <a href="https://x.com/ScottSBucs/status/1964730099946913953" rel="noopener">shifting usual starting center</a> Graham Barton to left tackle, according to Buccaneers beat writer Scott Smith via X (formerly Twitter).</p><p>“General Manager Jason Licht just revealed on the Bucs’ radio pregame show that there will be some shifts on the offensive line,” reported Smith before the season opener. “Graham Barton will play left tackle, Ben Bredeson will play center, and Michael Jordan will play left guard.”</p><p>Two close losses to Atlanta last season were the major sticking points in a fourth straight <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/atlanta-falcons/falcons-news-darnell-mooney-officially-inactive-buccaneers">division crown for the Buccaneers.</a> Head coach Todd Bowles and his team are eager to put the ghosts of those 2024 defeats behind them. Meanwhile, the Falcons will look to exploit the same pressure points in this campaign’s matchups, beginning with Sunday’s opener. However, Tampa Bay is not the same team as least season. Can quarterback Baker Mayfield thrive behind a shuffled front five and trust the new unit to help him torch the Falcons in “Hot-lanta” Sunday afternoon?</p><h2><b>Buccaneers seek to capture fifth-straight NFC South title in 2025</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Buccaneers-OL-Ben-Bredeson-and-QB-Baker-Mayfield.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Despite <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/tampa-bay-buccaneers-53-man-roster-predictions-for-2025-nfl-season">Barton and Bredeson’s positional changes,</a> Mayfield trusts them. The duo is usually at center and left guard, but it’s clear that the Buccaneers trust Bredeson to handle center and Barton to lock down left tackle. Both players have previous experience playing their new positions. However, it’s clear that Wirfs’ injury does hurt the Bucs, at least to an extent.</p><p>The All-Pro left tackle is likely the best player at his position in the NFL. Furthermore, he’s in his prime, and can play both tackle spots at least a Pro Bowl level. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-tampa-bay-makes-tristan-wirfs-chris-godwin-injury-moves">Wirfs is incredibly valuable</a> to the Buccaneers. Yet, Mayfield and his new offensive line won’t use the absence of Wirfs as an excuse Sunday. The goal is to beat the Falcons and start 1-0. Can the Bucs get it done? Don’t count them out just yet.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Buccaneers make eye-opening offensive line changes for Week 1

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-rumors-chris-godwins-injury-return-target-date-revealed');   ga('set', 'title', 'Buccaneers rumors: Chris Godwin’s injury return target date revealed');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Buccaneers-WR-Chris-Godwin-1.jpg"><figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Buccaneers rumors: Chris Godwin’s injury return target date revealed</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-07T09:05:27-07:00">September 7th, 9:05am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-07T09:05:27-07:00">September 7th, 9:05am</time><address><a>Ben Strauss</a>Ben Strauss is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He is a die-hard NFL fan who cheers for the Detroit Lions. He has previously written fantasy football content for IDPGuys and ImportantNonsense.com.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are ready to start off the 2025 NFL season on a high note. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-falcons-bold-predictions-week-1-2025-nfl-season">Tampa faces off against Atlanta in Week 1</a> and has a chance to get an early division lead with a win. The team also received some positive injury news surrounding one of their best offensive players just hours before the season opener.</p><p>The Buccaneers will be without receiver Chris Godwin in Week 1 as he recovers from ankle surgery. But now there is an idea of when he will return.</p><p>The Buccaneers are reportedly hoping to get Godwin back in practice soon <a href="https://x.com/RapSheet/status/1964712951191064645" rel="noopener">with a targeted return</a> in Week 5, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He added that Weeks 6 or 7 could also be possible return dates for Godwin.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-chris-godwin-gets-surprise-update-after-ankle-surgery">Godwin suffered a season-ending ankle injury</a> during Week 7 of the 2024 season against the Ravens. He has been rehabbing the injury ever since.</p><p>Despite the injury, Tampa made it a priority to keep Godwin around for the future. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-chris-godwin-leaves-20-million-table-66-million-contract">Godwin signed a three-year, $66 million contract</a> with the Buccaneers at the start of NFL free agency this spring. He even left $20 million on the table, turning down lucrative offers from other teams to stay in Tampa.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-chris-godwin-to-be-activated-off-pup-list-but-a-catch">Tampa Bay activated Godwin off the PUP list</a> back in August just weeks before the regular season.</p><p>The Buccaneers will lean on Mike Evans, Emeka Egbuka, Tez Johnson, and Sterling Shepard with Godwin out for the first month of the season.</p><h2><b>Buccaneers keys to victory in Week 1 against the Falcons</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Buccaneers-Baker-Mayfield.jpg"><figcaption>Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Buccaneers know the Falcons well as division rivals.</p><p>They also happen to match up well against Atlanta, which could result in fireworks in Week 1.</p><p>Tampa Bay has a stout run defense, headlined by huge defensive tackle Vita Vea. If the Buccaneers can find a way to slow down Bijan Robinson, the Falcons may not have an effective counterpunch.</p><p>Meanwhile, the Falcons only have a few known commodities on their young defense.</p><p>Buccaneers fans can expect Mayfield to diagnose very quickly whether the run or puss will be most effective against the Falcons. Once Tampa has that answer, they could start taking over this game.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/schedule">Buccaneers at Falcons kicks off at 1PM ET</a> on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Buccaneers rumors: Chris Godwin’s injury return target date revealed

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-vita-vea-gets-encouraging-update-before-falcons-showdown');   ga('set', 'title', 'Vita Vea and Buccaneers get encouraging update before Falcons showdown');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Vita-Vea-waving-incomplete-.jpg"><figcaption>Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Vita Vea and Buccaneers get encouraging update before Falcons showdown</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-06T14:51:19-07:00">September 6th, 2:51pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-06T14:51:19-07:00">September 6th, 2:51pm</time><address><a>Lorenzo J Reyna</a>Lorenzo J Reyna is an Associate Editor covering the NFL and NCAA Football for ClutchPoints. He's equipped with past experience for both realms through his recent stops at Pro Football Network and Heavy while also writing for 247Sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers faced not having prized defensive tackle Vita Vea for the season opener. With the All-Pro <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-vita-vea-practice-update-foot-injury">dealing with a foot ailment before the Atlanta Falcons showdown. </a></p><p>Fox NFL insider Jordan Schultz <a href="https://x.com/Schultz_Report/status/1964432660282917056" rel="noopener">dropped an update on that front Saturday</a>. Which presents an encouraging sign for the Bucs and Vea.</p><p>“Pro Bowl DT Vita Vea, listed as questionable (foot), is likely to play Sunday vs the Falcons,” Schultz posted on X (formerly Twitter).</p><p>Tampa won’t guarantee he’ll start, though. But will be suiting up per Schultz’ words.</p><p>“Vea, who missed two practices this week, could be on a pitch count, but I’m told should be a go assuming there are no setbacks,” Schultz said. </p><p>Vea for sure will strengthen the Bucs even if he’s not at full strength. He’s lauded across the league for his freakish blend of strength and pre-snap get-off.</p><h2>Buccaneers dealing with another pre-Falcons injury outside of Vita Vea</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Vita-Vea-vs.-Steelers.jpg"><figcaption>Barry Reeger-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Tampa and head coach Todd Bowles is dealing with some early ailments before the season kicks off. Not just limited to the Super Bowl champion defender Vea.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-pass-catcher-groin-injury-falcons-game">Tight end Cade Otton is dealing with his own ailment</a>. Otton injured his groin in late August — but <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-tampa-bay-dealt-mixed-bag-on-wednesday-injury-report">surfaced on the Bucs’ injury report on Wednesday</a>.</p><p>Buccaneers insider for ESPN Jenna Laine provided an update on Otton Friday. Carrying big implications for the Buccaneers offense.</p><p>“Cade Otton had two full days of practice and isn’t even carrying an injury designation for Sunday, which is huge,” Laine posted on her X account.</p><p>Pro Bowl quarterback Baker Mayfield still has no shortage of weapons available for the 2025 season debut. Longtime leading wide receiver Mike Evans is ready to go. Emeka Egbuka earns a role as a prized rookie addition.</p><p>But Payne Durham could earn extensive snaps at TE if Otton isn’t cleared. As for Vea, he’ll share nose tackle duties with fellow veteran Greg Gaines.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Vita Vea and Buccaneers get encouraging update before Falcons showdown

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-pass-catcher-groin-injury-falcons-game');   ga('set', 'title', 'Buccaneers star Baker Mayfield’s crucial pass catcher sheds groin injury for Falcons game');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Baker-Mayfield.jpg"><figcaption>Barry Reeger-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Buccaneers star Baker Mayfield’s crucial pass catcher sheds groin injury for Falcons game</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-05T13:07:42-07:00">September 5th, 1:07pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-05T13:07:42-07:00">September 5th, 1:07pm</time><address><a>Dan Fappiano</a>Dan Fappiano is a Connecticut based sports journalist and a graduate of both Tunxis Community College and Central Connecticut State University. Dan has spent time covering high school and professional sports in both the print and online medium. He hopes to see his beloved Chicago Bears win a Super Bowl someday.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-reveals-expectation-falcons-clash">Buccaneers are looking to make an early NFC South statement</a> when they take on the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1. When Mayfield looks downfield to pass, he’ll officially have one of his most crucial targets available.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-tampa-bay-dealt-mixed-bag-on-wednesday-injury-report">Tight end Cade Otton suffered a groin injury</a> in late August and was questionable for Week 1. However, he was able to get in two full practices on Thursday and Friday. Now, Otton <a href="https://x.com/JennaLaineESPN/status/1964042413376258060" rel="noopener">isn’t even listed</a> on the Buccaneers’ injury report heading into the matchup, via Jenna Laine of ESPN.</p><p>“Cade Otton had two full days of practice and isn’t even carrying an injury designation for Sunday, which is huge,” Laine wrote.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Vita Vea returned to practice Friday and his official game status is questionable. Cade Otton had two full days of practice and isn’t even carrying an injury designation for Sunday, which is huge. <a href="https://t.co/FDpm0dMVaS">pic.twitter.com/FDpm0dMVaS</a></p><p>— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/JennaLaineESPN/status/1964042413376258060?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>There are plenty of cooks in Tampa Bay’s offensive kitchen. Mayfield will have to feed Mike Evans and rookie Emeka Egbuka. Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan will both have roles when they return. But Otton’s share in the offense will only be amplified in their absence. And even when they do return, the tight end should get plenty of attention from Mayfield.</p><h2><b>Cade Otton’s run with Buccaneers </b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Cade-Otton.jpg"><figcaption>Bob Donnan-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Buccaneers originally selected Otton in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He put together a solid rookie season, catching 42 passes for 391 yards and two touchdowns. But from there, the tight end has only been further incorporated into the offense.</p><p>In 2023, he caught 47 passes for 455 yards and four touchdowns. And in 2024, despite playing in only 14 games, Otton set new career-highs in receptions (59) and yardage (600) while tying his career-best with four touchdowns.</p><p>The tight end won’t get as many headlines as Evans or even the rookie Egbuka. But it is clear he has become a trusted safety blanket for Mayfield. In the red zone, Otton should be one of the top targets. And if teams are too focused on Tampa Bay’s explosive receiving options, Otton will be open in space.</p><p>But the first step for the Buccaneers was simply getting their tight end back on the field. Now seemingly past his groin injury, Otton can focus solely on helping his team defeat the Falcons.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Buccaneers star Baker Mayfield’s crucial pass catcher sheds groin injury for Falcons game

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-tampa-bay-zyon-mccollum-48-million-contract');   ga('set', 'title', 'Buccaneers, Zyon McCollum agree to $48 million contract extension ahead of Week 1');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Zyon-McCollum-warms-up-for-preseason-game.jpg"><figcaption>Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Buccaneers, Zyon McCollum agree to $48 million contract extension ahead of Week 1</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-05T11:55:15-07:00">September 5th, 11:55am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-05T11:55:15-07:00">September 5th, 11:55am</time><address><a href="https://www.facebook.com/joey.mistretta/" rel="facebook">Joey Mistretta</a>Joey Mistretta is a Dallas Mavericks beat reporter, Dallas Wings beat reporter and lead MLB editor for ClutchPoints. He is originally from Lake Arrowhead, California. Mistretta graduated from Biola University with a degree in broadcast journalism.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Tampa Bay <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/3-buccaneers-bold-predictions-for-2025-nfl-season">Buccaneers will begin their 2025 regular season</a> on Sunday afternoon against the Atlanta Falcons. On Friday, the team <a href="https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1964032979438649669" rel="noopener">reportedly agreed</a> to a contract extension with cornerback Zyon McCollum, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.</p><p>“Buccaneers and starting CB Zyon McCollum reached agreement today on a three-year, $48 million extension that includes $35.4 million guaranteed, per his agents Drew and Jason Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey. McCollum is now under contract through the 2028 season,” Schefter wrote on X, formerly Twitter.</p><p>McCollum, 26, is set to enter his fourth season in the NFL. He has spent each year so far with Tampa Bay — something that likely won’t change anytime soon as a result of the contract extension. McCollum has continued to improve throughout his time in the league.</p><p>In 2024, he recorded the first interceptions of his career — finishing the season with two. His 17 passes defended, 82 combined tackles, 55 solo tackles and 17 assists on tackles were all career-highs as well. The Buccaneers clearly value his contributions on the defensive side of the football.</p><p>Tampa Bay will be an interesting team to follow throughout the upcoming campaign. The Buccaneers finished in first place in the NFC South with a 10-7 record last year. If the team’s defense can step up in 2025 and make an impact, perhaps Tampa Bay can make a deeper postseason run.</p><p>Zyon McCollum will certainly play a significant role in the Buccaneers’ potential defensive success. He is ready to help Tampa Bay once again.</p><p>For now, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-falcons-bold-predictions-week-1-2025-nfl-season">Buccaneers will prepare to play the Falcons</a> in Week 1. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 PM EST in what projects to be a competitive affair between the NFC South rivals.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Buccaneers, Zyon McCollum agree to $48 million contract extension ahead of Week 1

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-vita-vea-practice-update-foot-injury');   ga('set', 'title', 'Buccaneers’ Vita Vea gets big practice update amid foot injury');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Todd-Bowles.jpg"><figcaption>Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Buccaneers’ Vita Vea gets big practice update amid foot injury</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-05T10:22:22-07:00">September 5th, 10:22am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-05T10:22:22-07:00">September 5th, 10:22am</time><address><a>Dan Fappiano</a>Dan Fappiano is a Connecticut based sports journalist and a graduate of both Tunxis Community College and Central Connecticut State University. Dan has spent time covering high school and professional sports in both the print and online medium. He hopes to see his beloved Chicago Bears win a Super Bowl someday.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/new-orleans-saints/saints-news-cameron-jordan-buccaneers-truth-nfc-south-outlook">Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to secure their fifth-straight NFC South title</a> in 2025. Having a healthy Vita Vea in the middle of their offensive line will only get them closer to their goal.</p><p>But the Buccaneers were forced to hold their breath when Vea suffered a foot injury. He missed two straight days of practice. However, Friday’s session <a href="https://x.com/RapSheet/status/1963983779933946146" rel="noopener">provided a sigh of relief</a>, as Vea made his return to the gridiron, via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Good news for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bucs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bucs</a>. DT Vita Vea has returned to practice after missing the last two days with a foot injury. <a href="https://t.co/pZEqLtvQDa">pic.twitter.com/pZEqLtvQDa</a></p><p>— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLSTROUD/status/1963983037177143445?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Tampa Bay’s injury report will tell a brighter picture of Vea’s situation. Whether he gets the limited or full practice tag will be telling. Regardless, it’s still not known if Vea will suit up in Week 1. If he does though, it’ll be a major boost for the Buccaneers.</p><h2><b>Buccaneers have lethal force in Vita Vea </b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Vita-Vea.jpg"><figcaption>Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>When healthy, Vea has been a crucial part of Tampa Bay’s defensive line since his arrival in 2018. He has made 222 total tackles, 66 quarterback hits, and 30.5 sacks. Vea is a two-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion.</p><p>One of those Pro Bowl nods came in his most recent 2024 season. Vea put up career-highs in sacks (seven) and tackles for a loss (10) while tying his career-best of 13 QB hits. Furthermore, Vea ranked 18th out of 220 defensive tackles with his <a href="https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/vita-vea/48956" rel="noopener">75.7 grade</a> from Pro Football Focus. He ranked 15th with a pass-rush grade of 76.5.</p><p>The Buccaneers as a whole finished their 2024 campaign ranked 18th in total defense, allowing 341.8 yards per game. They were dominant against the run, ranking fourth by allowing 97.8 yards per game. Having a force like Vea leading the charge certainly helped Tampa Bay climb up the rankings.</p><p>As they open their season, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-reveals-expectation-falcons-clash">Buccaneers will be taking on a divisional rival in the Atlanta Falcons</a>. While it may just be Week 1, it’ll play a role in how both teams operate for the remainder of the season. With Tampa Bay looking to continue its NFC South dominance, it knows having Vea on the field only gives it a greater chance to succeed.</p><p>At the same time, the defensive tackle is a core part of the team’s defense. They won’t rush him back if he isn’t healthy. Vea’s foot will continue to be monitored leading up to the game before the Buccaneers make a final Week 1 decision.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Buccaneers’ Vita Vea gets big practice update amid foot injury

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-reveals-expectation-falcons-clash');   ga('set', 'title', 'Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield reveals 6-word expectation for Falcons clash');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Tampa-Bay-Buccaneers-quarterback-Baker-Mayfield.jpg"><figcaption>Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield reveals 6-word expectation for Falcons clash</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-04T21:14:31-07:00">September 4th, 9:14pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-04T21:14:31-07:00">September 4th, 9:14pm</time><address><a>Richard Pereira</a>Richard Pereira joined ClutchPoints in January 2025 as an Associate Editor. He earned his degree from Florida Atlantic University in 2023 and has been covering the school's athletic programs since 2020, having served as a Sports Editor at the FAU University Press. He was granted the unique opportunity to report on the men's basketball team's journey to the Final Four in Houston for FAU Owls Nest during March Madness, consistently striving to grow as a sports journalist.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Baker Mayfield is ready to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-falcons-bold-predictions-week-1-2025-nfl-season">get the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 2025 season underway</a> when they face the Atlanta Falcons.</p><p>Mayfield enters the eighth season of his NFL career, his third with the Buccaneers. He has blossomed into an offensive star, keeping the team firm in playoff contention.</p><p>Tampa Bay is preparing for its opener against Atlanta, a fierce rivalry in the NFC South Division. When it comes to what he expects from the matchup, Mayfield <a href="https://x.com/DOrlandoAJC/status/1963794465220341890" rel="noopener">gave plenty of insight</a> into it.</p><p>“Obviously they had some personnel changes. I haven’t seen a lot of tape of Leonard Floyd with them, but we know who he is — great player. They spent some early picks on edge rushers as well. Some changes in the secondary (too). AJ Terrell is still there, great player. Jessie Bates, ballhawk, a game-changer guy. And Divine Deablo, a new guy in the interior, linebacker level for them. (There are) some younger (defensive backs) that are going to play. Just personnel wise, trying to figure out who’s going to be where without really being able to get non-(exhibition) season tape up there to prepare with,” Mayfield said, via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.</p><p>“But yeah, they’re flying around. Obviously they’re coached hard, just knowing Raheem Morris and then from talking to Haason (Reddick) about Jeff (Ulbrich), their (defensive coordinator), they coach those guys hard. They play hard for him and everybody that plays for him loves him, so they’re going to be flying around.”</p><h2><b>What lies ahead for Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Tampa-Bay-Buccaneers-quarterback-Baker-Mayfield-6-quarterback-Kyle-Trask-2-and-quarterback-Connor-Bazelak-8.jpg"><figcaption>Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>It’s clear that Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers are ready for what’s coming against the Falcons.</p><p>Mayfield is coming off the best statistical season of his career. He went 10-7 the 2024 season, completing 407 passes for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns. He also made 60 rushes for 378 yards and three scores. Most were career highs across the board, showing his immense growth since entering the league in 2018.</p><p>He will look to take Tampa Bay on a deep playoff run. They lost in the NFC Wild Card Round to the Washington Commanders, who went on to reach the NFC Championship.</p><p>The Buccaneers will prepare for their season opener against the Falcons. The contest will take place on Sept. 7 at 1 p.m. ET.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield reveals 6-word expectation for Falcons clash

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/fantasy-sports/buccaneers-news-espn-insider-emeka-egbuka-fantasy-football-tip');   ga('set', 'title', 'Buccaneers news: ESPN insider gives confident Emeka Egbuka fantasy football tip');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Emeka-Egbuka-with-TB-Buccaneers.jpg"><figcaption>Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Buccaneers news: ESPN insider gives confident Emeka Egbuka fantasy football tip</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-04T06:36:58-07:00">September 4th, 6:36am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-04T08:30:28-07:00">September 4th, 8:30am</time><address><a>Christopher Hennessy</a>Christopher Hennessy is a Senior Editor at ClutchPoints, with expertise in MLB, NHL and golf. Chris graduated with a journalism degree from Fordham University in 2022. He has also worked at Spectrum News One in Albany, New York and with The Hockey Writers as a New York Islanders writer. Chris is originally from Connecticut and is a lifelong New York Yankees, Islanders, and Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Fantasy Sports</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers open their season against the Atlanta Falcons on the road on Sunday. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfield-heartbreaking-reaction-brutal-loss-lions">Tampa has won five consecutive division titles</a> and had a great season offensively last year. Now, they are adding a new weapon to the group that has everyone buzzing. ESPN’s Dan Graziano says that Buccaneers rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka is <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46146415/nfl-week-1-buzz-news-updates-fantasy-intel-questions-predictions" rel="noopener">set to be a</a> fantasy football star.</p><p>“I’m drafting Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka everywhere I can,” Graziano wrote. “The Bucs loved him before picking in the first round in April, and they’ve grown to covet him even more since. They believe he can play any of the wide receiver positions in their offense, which is a good thing because Chris Godwin Jr. still isn’t back from last year’s gruesome season-ending injury, and Jalen McMillan is out for a while because of a neck injury.”</p><p>Graziano continues, “Expect the Bucs to use Egbuka in the slot and on the outside as needed. Given how mature and polished a player they already believe him to be, he could get a ton of targets in one of the league’s top offenses and hold onto a starting role even when Tampa’s receiver corps is back to full strength.”</p><p>According to FantasyPros, Egbuka’s <a href="https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/adp/ppr-overall.php" rel="noopener">average draft position</a> across all platforms is 86.2, 37th among wide receivers. The Buccaneers should be using him as the second option to start the season, and Tampa Bay has an easy schedule. While rookies are often boom or bust in fantasy football, experts love Egbuka this season.</p><p>At <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/ncaa-football/ohio-state-football-news-will-howard-hits-emeka-egbuka-special-labele-ahead-of-2025-nfl-draft">Ohio State, Egbuka had two 1,000-yard, ten-touchdown seasons</a>, which propelled him to be a first-round pick. But there were a lot of pass catchers taken above him, allowing him to fall to the Buccaneers. They hope it is another wide receiver draft steal in the franchise’s history.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Buccaneers news: ESPN insider gives confident Emeka Egbuka fantasy football tip

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-tampa-bay-dealt-mixed-bag-on-wednesday-injury-report');   ga('set', 'title', 'Buccaneers dealt mixed bag on Wednesday injury report');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Buccaneers-S-Antoine-Winfield-Jr.jpg?w=1024"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Buccaneers dealt mixed bag on Wednesday injury report</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-03T15:47:54-07:00">September 3rd, 3:47pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-03T15:47:54-07:00">September 3rd, 3:47pm</time><address><a href="https://linktr.ee/jordan.llanes">Jordan Llanes</a>Jordan Llanes is a sports writer and reporter based in Florida. In addition to ClutchPoints, he writes for a few other publications covering the NFL, college sports and Tottenham Hotspur. When he's not writing, Jordan enjoys spending time with his fiancée, cats, family and friends, as well as catching the latest TV shows and movies, and traveling.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Looking to capture their fifth straight NFC South title, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfields-advice-shifty-rookie-tez-johnson">Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ season opener</a> on Sunday is an important one. The defense of their crown will start at division rival Atlanta, where the Falcons are hoping to finally upend the Buccaneers’ recent dominance over the South. After Wednesday’s practice, NFL insider Tom Pelissero revealed a <a href="https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/1963337853070360870" rel="noopener">mixed bag of injury updates</a> for Tampa Bay via X, formerly Twitter.</p><p>“#Bucs RB Rachaad White and S Antoine Winfield Jr., who both dealt with injuries in camp, aren’t listed on the injury report and are on track to play Sunday vs. Atlanta,” reported Pelissero on Wednesday afternoon. “TE Cade Otton (groin) was limited. WR Chris Godwin and LT Tristan Wirfs DNP; neither is expected to play.”</p><p>Having White and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-todd-bowles-encouraging-antoine-winfield-jr-injury-update">Winfield Jr. on Sunday</a> is certainly a boost for both their respective units. If Otton can go, then quarterback Baker Mayfield will have another trusted option on the field with his top tight end. Although it’s been expected that Godwin and Wirfs would miss some time at the season’s start, it’s still a tough blow for the Buccaneers. After all, both players have earned Pro Bowl nods. Wirfs is considered one of, if not the best, at his position in the NFL. Can the Bucs go into Atlanta shorthanded and pull off a big season opening victory on Sunday?</p><h2><b>Buccaneers without key players for season-opening divisional clash</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Buccaneers-OT-Tristan-Wirfs.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>In addition to Godwin and Wirfs, sophomore wide receiver Jalen McMillan will be out for some time due to an IR stint. The former Washington Husky broke out in the last few weeks of his rookie season, but Mayfield will be without him. The starting receivers for Sunday look to be future Hall of Famer Mike Evans and first round pick Emeka Egbuka, with other contributors pitching in as well. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-todd-bowles-official-rachaad-white-timetable-groin-injury">This bodes well for White,</a> as the running back is considered to be a key part of the passing game.</p><p>The former Arizona State standout will look to also contribute in the run game alongside sophomore stud Bucky Irving. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-antoine-winfield-jr-speaks-out-after-record-breaking-contract-extension">As for Winfield Jr.,</a> the star safety looks to reward the Buccaneers brass for selecting him as a team captain ahead of the opener. One of the best safeties in the NFL, the playmaking defensive back will look to lead a defense eager to torment the Falcons. If the Bucs are victorious on Sunday, it will go a long way towards keeping the NFC South title at Raymond James Stadium once again.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Buccaneers dealt mixed bag on Wednesday injury report

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-baker-mayfields-advice-shifty-rookie-tez-johnson');   ga('set', 'title', 'Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield’s advice to ‘shifty’ rookie Tez Johnson');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Johnson-celebrates.jpg"><figcaption>Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield’s advice to ‘shifty’ rookie Tez Johnson</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-03T10:55:38-07:00">September 3rd, 10:55am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-03T10:55:38-07:00">September 3rd, 10:55am</time><address><a>Jackson Stone</a>Jackson Stone is a Mercer University alum from Atlanta who graduated with a BA in communications. A lifelong sports lover, Jackson is a die-hard fan of all Atlanta teams. He joined ClutchPoints in 2023.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-falcons-bold-predictions-week-1-2025-nfl-season">Tampa Bay Buccaneers are gearing up</a> for a 2025 season filled with expectations after an injury-riddled 2024 campaign that still resulted in an NFC South division title and playoff berth. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/3-buccaneers-bold-predictions-for-2025-nfl-season">Baker Mayfield has been one</a> of the best quarterbacks in the NFL for the last couple of years, showcasing the blend of speed, downfield accuracy, and confidence that once allowed him to be drafted number one overall.</p><p>Recently, Mayfield spoke on Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Tez Johnson, who figures to play a role for the team in the upcoming season, and also offered him<a href="https://x.com/gregauman/status/1963295424254472686" rel="noopener"> some friendly advice.</a></p><p>“Baker Mayfield says rookie Tez Johnson is ‘shifty’ but warned him not to try to make more than one guy miss in the open field. ‘You’d better get down. You’re still the smallest guy in the NFL,’ he said,” reported Greg Auman of FOX on X, formerly Twitter.</p><p>Indeed, Johnson’s thin frame will make it especially important that he avoid hits whenever possible and get down or out of bounce instead of trying to churn for an extra yard or two.</p><p>Johnson joins fellow rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, who was drafted in the first round out of Ohio State, to give Mayfield some more targets to find down the field, in addition to veterans like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.</p><h2><b>Can the Buccaneers compete?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Buccaneers-Baker-Mayfield-is-100-sold-on-absolute-stud.jpg"><figcaption>Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers haven’t made it out of the divisional round of the playoffs since their Super Bowl back in 2020, when Tom Brady was at the helm.</p><p>However, Tampa Bay has been knocking on the door of contention for the last couple of years, and the fact that they were able to still make the postseason last year despite Godwin and multiple other key players getting injured throughout the season says a lot about Mayfield’s talent and leadership ability.</p><p>Now, with Egbuka, Johnson, and other talented youngsters in the mix, the Buccaneers are hoping that 2025 is the year that they take the next step and truly enter the contender conversation in the NFL.</p><p>The Buccaneers will kick off their season on September 7 on the road against the divisional rival Atlanta Falcons.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield’s advice to ‘shifty’ rookie Tez Johnson

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-luke-goedeke-agree-90-million-contract-extension');   ga('set', 'title', 'Buccaneers, Luke Goedeke agree to $90 million contract extension');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Buccaneers-RT-Luke-Goedeke-speaks-to-reporters-at-training-camp.jpg"><figcaption>Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Buccaneers, Luke Goedeke agree to $90 million contract extension</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-02T16:12:30-07:00">September 2nd, 4:12pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-02T16:55:43-07:00">September 2nd, 4:55pm</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NFL</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Because they reside in the NFC South, are coming off a stinging playoffs defeat and have yet another new offensive coordinator, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers do not immediately jump out as a Super Bowl contender heading into the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/3-buccaneers-bold-predictions-for-2025-nfl-season">2025-26 NFL season</a>. Their actions say otherwise, though. The organization continues to commit to its existing core group of players, agreeing to a massive four-year, <a href="https://x.com/RapSheet/status/1963006829975466404" rel="noopener">$90 million contract extension</a> with right tackle Luke Goedeke, via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.</p><p>The deal includes $50 million guaranteed. The Glazer family locked up general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles with <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-tampa-rewards-todd-bowles-jason-licht-new-contracts">extensions during the offseason</a>, and the front office has responded by once again investing in a key member of the offense. Following four straight divisional titles, which came directly after the franchise’s second-ever Super Bowl victory, the Bucs clearly believe they have the potential to strike more gold.</p><p>Tampa can move forward, at least for the next couple of years, knowing it has two-time Pro Bowler Baker Mayfield at quarterback, 2019 Second-Team All-Pro Chris Godwin and promising rookie Emeka Egbuka at wide receiver and tremendous tackle duo Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke on the offensive line. The future is uncertain for Bucs great Mike Evans — free agent after this upcoming campaign — but this team’s identity could remain intact now that management has affirmed its loyalty to the aforementioned players.</p><p>The Goedeke extension was the last major piece of the puzzle, and both sides worked hard to get something done before the squad opens its season in a Sunday road matchup versus the Atlanta Falcons.</p><h2><b>Luke Goedeke can help the Buccaneers stay offensively sharp</b></h2><p>The 26-year-old out of UW-Stevens Point and Central Michigan has found his calling at RT over the last two years, operating effectively as both a pass-protector and run-blocker. He allowed three sacks and 17 total pressures in 2024-25, <a href="https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/luke-goedeke/77548#seasonStatsWidget" rel="noopener">per Pro Football Focus</a>, while posting a 73.7 overall PFF grade.</p><p>There are definitely risks to dishing out such a significant amount of money to someone who has missed games in two of his first three seasons due to a concussion and foot injury, but the Buccaneers are willing to pay a premium in order to keep Mayfield upright. Moreover, the combined value of Wirfs and Goedeke is immense. Many teams struggle to find one reliable tackle. Tampa has two, one of whom is possibly the best at his position.</p><p>Tampa’s stable O-Line, which is expected to rank near the top of the league yet again, will ideally give Baker Mayfield and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/buccaneers-news-bucky-irving-surpasses-vita-vea-mike-evans-impressive-honor">standout running back Bucky Irving</a> enough time to punish defenses this season. Morale should be high in the locker room, as the squad and fan base sprint toward opening kickoff.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

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