Emeka Egbuka explains Buccaneers' mindset ahead of game-winning score vs. Falcons

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka notched a pair of receiving touchdowns, including one with 59 seconds remaining in regulation, to help his club secure a thrilling 23-20 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon. 

Following the victory, Egbuka revealed that he and quarterback Baker Mayfield engaged in some non-verbal communication in the huddle before Mayfield tossed his final pass of the contest. 

Buccaneers weren't playing it safe at Falcons

"We weren’t going for a field goal — we are shooting to kill," Egbuka told NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated about the Buccaneers' mindset when they were trailing the Falcons by three points with 1:04 remaining. "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 …"

The rest, as the saying goes, is history. 

Egbuka has been everything the Buccaneers hoped he'd be and more ever since they made him the 19th overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. On Sunday, he tallied team highs of 67 receiving yards and two touchdowns on four catches. 

Most importantly, he remained a cool customer as he realized the ball would be coming his way late in the game. 

Baker Mayfield is already a big Emeka Egbuka fan

"I just think the way he carries himself, I've told you guys, it wasn't a front," Mayfield said about Egbuka after Sunday's win, per Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' website. "You saw it live [Sunday], in person. He's the real deal. True professional. Doesn't play like a rookie. Doesn't act like a rookie. His head is never spinning. He made some unbelievable catches and plays [Sunday] for us. Obviously, going to continue to lean on him."

Tampa Bay receiver Chris Godwin may not play before Week 5 at the earliest as he works to return from the devastating leg/ankle injury he suffered in October 2024. Meanwhile, Buccaneers wideout Jalen McMillan could miss half the campaign due to a neck issue. Thus, Egbuka could remain a vital part of the Tampa Bay offense throughout the fall. 

The Buccaneers next play at the 0-1 Houston Texans on Monday, Sept. 15. Houston suffered a 14-9 loss at the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.