Emeka Egbuka
In his NFL debut, rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka accumulated four receptions for 67 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score with 59 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. He is the first player across the league to record multiple receiving touchdowns in his NFL debut since Jahan Dotson in 2022. He became just the second Buccaneer all-time to accomplish the feat, joining tight end Alex Smith in 2005. Egbuka is the first Tampa Bay rookie since 2010 to score the team's first touchdown of a season (Mike Williams in 2010). It also marked the second year in a row in which a Bucs' rookie receiver drafted by Jason Licht scored a touchdown in the team's season opener (Jalen McMillan in 2024).
On the first touchdown off a play-action fake, Mayfield zipped the ball downfield to Egbuka for a 30-yard score. The second came with 59 seconds in the game when Egbuka got open and Mayfield hit him in the back of the end zone for the go-ahead score. Evans took Jessie Bates III on his route, which left Egbuka with single coverage. Egbuka made several physical grabs throughout the game, helping move the chains for Tampa Bay. He showcased his knack for exploiting voids in coverage and bolstered the offense down Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan.
Kam Johnson
Kameron Johnson returned a punt 53 yards, marking the team's longest punt return since Bobby Rainey had a 58-yard return on 10/11/15 vs. Jacksonville. Johnson fielded the Falcons' punt inside the 20 and took it all the way to the Atlanta 32 for 53 yards. He brought the ball to midfield, creating positive field position for the Bucs' offense and the unit capitalized with Bucky Irving's touchdown. His impact on special teams became a bright spot in the nail-biting victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Antoine Winfield Jr.
His stats may not have been flashy, but Antoine Winfield Jr. made his presence felt and delivered arguably the most critical play of the game. With time winding down in the fourth quarter, Winfield knocked the ball loose from Casey Washington inside the five-yard line to prevent the Falcons' touchdown. He came flying across the field and delivered the turf-rattling hit on Washington at just the right moment to help Tampa Bay secure the victory. His urgency on the field became the catalyst in Tampa Bay's win.
"I mean, he played the entire game," said Bowles. "If you watched him, he knew the game plan inside out. He followed it to a 'T.' He played very fast, as did a lot of other guys. They fought hard. Our job was, in the second half, was to win the game any way we can, and we won."
