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To start the 2025 NFL season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came out of the gates blazing, winning five out of six games and establishing themselves as a Super Bowl contender. Though, since the team’s bye week, Todd Bowles’ squad has been going in the wrong direction.
Bowles, Baker Mayfield and Co. have lost four out of their last five games, and Tampa Bay’s once-strong hold of the NFC South is now just a tiebreaker. With the Carolina Panthers having an identical 7-6 record, the Buccaneers are now in a tight division race down the stretch.
Tampa Bay has its first chance to get back to winning ways on Thursday night, when it hosts an NFC South opponent in the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta (4-9) has lost signal-caller Michael Penix Jr. for the rest of the season, but it has a prime opportunity to play spoiler under the lights.
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The two teams met for the first time in Week 1, with Mayfield leading a last-minute drive with a game-winning touchdown to rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, who caught two touchdowns in the game. Tampa Bay won in a 27-24 thriller. With both teams on a downward trajectory, but one still able to save the season, will there be similar fireworks on Thursday night?
Follow along for updates throughout the night.
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Buccaneers vs. Falcons live updates, highlights from ‘Thursday Night Football’
11:27 p.m.: On the first play, Cousins connects with Sills for 17 yards to the Atlanta 47.
The Falcons are already near midfield.
11:26 p.m.: Atlanta will start right across the 30-yard line, with 1:49 remaining.
Here comes Kirk Cousins and the Falcons offense.
11:23 p.m.: An Irving first down carry went for a four-yard loss, and after an incompletion to Egbuka, Mayfield is brought down. Coming out of the two-minute warning, Tampa Bay will punt back to Atlanta, and the Falcons will have a chance to win the game.
11:22 p.m.: On third down, Mayfield gets the ball to Godwin for a first down.
With just under three minutes remaining, Tampa Bay has a new set of downs.
Buccaneers 28, Falcons 26
11:12 p.m.: Kyle Pitts has his third touchdown of the night.
This time, on 3rd & goal, Pitts goes up on a fade route and comes down with a seven-yard touchdown.
After review it’s a… touchdown!
Kyle Pitts with his THIRD of the night 🙌
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Atlanta is not able to tie the game on the two-point conversion, so it still trails, 28-26. Pitts is having a career night, and now Atlanta needs a stop.
11:07 p.m.: The Falcons have a first down across midfield, and it’s Pitts.
The tight end, who has had a quiet second half, comes up big with a 10-yard catch. Then, the next play, Tyler Allgeier takes it 15 yards down to the Tampa Bay 26.
11:04 p.m.: The Atlanta defense has its first turnover of the game.
On 2nd & 10, Mayfield tries finding Evans, but Dee Alford reads it and leaps up for the interception.
Dee Alford picks off Baker! @AtlantaFalcons take over down 8️⃣
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— NFL (@NFL) December 12, 2025
The Falcons take back over ahead of the 30.
Buccaneers 28, Falcons 20
10:56 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: Right after the Sills play, Robinson makes it a one-score game.
The star back bounces outside and bursts in for a six-yard score. He has 158 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on the night.
Bijan Robinson makes it a one-score game!
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— NFL (@NFL) December 12, 2025
The Falcons can’t convert on the two-point try, so it’s an eight point game.
10:55 p.m.: Atlanta is inside the 10.
Cousins fakes a screen pass to Robinson, and instead finds Sills over the middle of the field and Sills takes it 20 yards to the Tampa Bay 6.
10:53 p.m.: The Falcons needed a first down, and it’s Robinson who gets it.
Split out wide, Cousins hits Robinson on an out-route to move the chains. It’s only Atlanta’s second third down conversion of the night.
Buccaneers 28, Falcons 14
10:47 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: Now it’s another Buccaneers wide receiver who’s missed time to get into the end zone.
Now, it’s Chris Godwin, who hauls in a three-yard score for his first touchdown of the year.
Chris Godwin Jr. extends the @Buccaneers lead!
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— NFL (@NFL) December 12, 2025
Then, we have an octopus! Mayfield goes to Godwin again on the two-point conversion, and it’s 28-14 Tampa Bay.
OCTOPUS!!! 🐙 pic.twitter.com/24f3Ql2anm
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 12, 2025
10:45 p.m.: On 2nd & 10, Mayfield tries finding Evans down the left side but Terrell holds him and is called for pass interference.
Atlanta has 16 penalties (to Tampa Bay’s 3) for 109 yards.
End of the third quarter: Buccaneers 20, Falcons 14
10:40 p.m.: Tampa Bay has forced the first turnover of the game and is now in plus territory.
Cousins throws a ball to Robinson over the middle of the field, and the back is hit and loses the ball. It’s recovered by Jacob Harris.
The Buccaneers have a chance to make it a two-score game, starting at the Atlanta 25.
10:35 p.m.: After Mayfield was sacked for a seven yard loss, he tries finding Tez Johnson downfield but slightly overthrows him. Now, it’s Tampa Bay who is forced to punt.
Cousins and Atlanta have the ball back right above the 10.
On 2nd & 4, Irving bursts one up the middle and it goes for 16 yards. He then takes a carry for five down to the Atlanta 43.
10:32 p.m.: Evans has another big catch to open up Tampa Bay’s drive.
“ANNND 1!” – Mike Evans pic.twitter.com/a0VS8mrz2H
— NFL (@NFL) December 12, 2025
Mayfield finds him down the right sideline, over A.J. Terrell, for 20 yards.
10:28 p.m.: Though the Falcons were in field goal range, a Cousins intentional grounding penalty draws the Falcons back, and on 3rd & 20 he can’t find a receiver.
For the second straight drive, Atlanta punts.
10:26 p.m.: On first down, Cousins connects with Darnell Mooney for 13 yards to the Tampa Bay 31. The Falcons are looking to cut into the deficit fast.
10:24 p.m.: The Falcons are past midfield.
Cousins hits Robinson on second down, and the back takes it for 21 yards all the way to the Buccaneers 44.
Getting Bijan Robinson to the ground is not easy
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— NFL (@NFL) December 12, 2025Buccaneers 20, Falcons 14
10:18 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: The Buccaneers take the lead.
Mayfield steps back in the pocket and finds a wide open Devin Culp, who has the first touchdown reception of his career.
Devin Culp puts the @Buccaneers back on top
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Culp logs his first reception of the 2025 season, and it’s a big one.
10:16 p.m.: The next play, it’s another penalty for the Falcons, their 14th of the night.
A facemask penalty on Divine Deablo sets up Tampa Bay at the four.
10:15 p.m.: Atlanta has been shooting itself in the foot all day, and it happens again after a 3rd & goal stop.
An illegal hands to the face penalty gives Tampa Bay a new set of downs inside the 10.
10:12 p.m.: Welcome back Mike Evans.
On 1st & 10, Mayfield lobs one up to No. 13 deep down the left sideline, and Evans mosses his defender for a 45-yard reception down to the Atlanta 12.
JUST THROW IT UP TO MIKE EVANS
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Evans has four receptions for 102 yards.
10:11 p.m.: A short Irving run gave Tampa Bay a new set of downs, and the next play, Mayfield finds Egbuka deep downfield for another chain-mover.
This goes for 20 yards to the Tampa Bay 43.
10:06 p.m.: After Atlanta got to a 3rd & 14, Pitts takes in a reception but its way short of the chains.
The Falcons punt, and with a defensive holding penalty Mayfield and co. will start deep in their own territory.
10:02 p.m.: The second half is underway at Raymond James Stadium.
The Falcons offense has the ball first, up one.
Halftime: Falcons 14, Buccaneers 13
9:47 p.m. FIELD GOAL: McLaughlin hits a 52-yarder as time expires to end the half, and after 30, it’s Atlanta who leads by one.
Atlanta is out gaining Tampa Bay 222 to 185 and has two touchdowns to Atlanta’s one. Of course, the story is Kyle Pitts, who had the best first half of his career.
9:43 p.m.: Mayfield throws it away, setting up a 3rd & 10, but a crucial facemask penalty moves the ball 15 yards and sets up a first down.
The next play, he hits Evans deep down the left sideline for 34 yards, and Tampa Bay is inside the 30.
Falcons 14, Buccaneers 10
9:37 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: Kyle Pitts is having a night.
After getting near midfield, Pitts leaves his defender in the dust and is wide open, with Cousins able to hit him in stride. It goes for 35 yards.
Kyle Pitts shakes free for the big gain!
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The next play, Cousins hits Pitts again in the end zone for a 17-yard score. It’s Pitts’ second of the game.
Kyle Pitts again! His 2nd TD of the night puts the @AtlantaFalcons in front.
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— NFL (@NFL) December 12, 2025
The tight end is up to six receptions for 110 and two touchdowns.
Buccaneers 10, Falcons 7
9:31 p.m. FIELD GOAL: On 3rd & 9, Mayfield picks up one yard after not being able to find anyone downfield.
But, Tampa Bay takes the lead. Chase McLaughlin comes in to drill a 49-yard field goal, and it’s 10-7.
9:28 p.m.: The Tampa Bay offense is starting to click, with Mayfield hitting his third straight receiver to move the chains all three times.
This time, its McMillan, who now has two receptions over 10+ yards in his season debut.
Baker Mayfield 🎯 Jalen McMillan
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9:26 p.m.: The Buccaneers are 3-for-5 on third down after Mayfield connects with Evans above the chains. This one goes for 12 yards to the Tampa Bay 36.
The next play, Mayfield connects with Egbuka on the other side of the field, and the rookie gets by two defenders and has his own 12-yard reception.
9:22 p.m.: The Falcons are up to nine penalties on the night, and there’s six minutes left in the second quarter. Pitts picks up 11 yards on 3rd & 15 to set down a fourth & short.
From ESPN Research: The nine accepted penalties are the most the #Falcons have had against them in a first half since 2018.
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) December 12, 2025
But, it isn’t enough and Atlanta punts. The game remains 7-7.
9:16 p.m.: After two Atlanta penalties made it a 1st & 16, Robinson picks up those yards on two carries and the Falcons have a new set of downs.
Robinson now has 59 rushing yards on the night.
9:10 p.m.: Mayfield rolls out right on 3rd & 8, but the pass comes up incomplete.
Tampa Bay will punt back to Atlanta.
Falcons 7, Buccaneers 7
9:02 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: Atlanta makes it a tie game, and it’s Kyle Pitts.
The play after the penalty, Cousins hits Pitts on a drag route and the tight end walks in for an eight-yard score.
Kirk Cousins to Pitts for 6️⃣
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— NFL (@NFL) December 12, 2025
Pitts has three receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown, his second of the year.
9:00 p.m.: On 3rd & 4 inside the red zone, Cousins throws an out-route to Robinson but Robinson stopped running, causing the pass to fall incomplete.
Zane Gonzalez, who hit a game-winning field goal in Tampa Bay last season in the playoffs with Washington, hits a field goal. But, an offsides penalty brings the Falcons offense back out.
8:57 p.m.: After a seven-yard Robinson reception, Cousins hits Davis Sills on 3rd & 5 and a first down.
Cousins is 6-for-6 for 99 yards.
End of the first quarter: Buccaneers 7, Falcons 0
8:51 p.m.: On the first play, Atlanta moves past midfield. Cousins hits Pitts in stride, and he takes it for 26 yards down to the Tampa Bay 39.
Buccaneers 7, Falcons 0
8:47 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: Tampa Bay is the first team on the board.
After a McMillan reception gets the Buccaneers inside the one, Sean Tucker takes his first carry into the end zone.
Sean Tucker gets in the end zone to open up the scoring!
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— NFL (@NFL) December 12, 2025
It’s Tucker’s fifth touchdown of the season and the Buccaneers are up 7-0.
8:42 p.m.: The next play, Mayfield hits rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka for 23 yards down to the 20. Egbuka had two touchdowns against Atlanta in Week 1.
8:41 p.m.: The Falcons have two young edge rushers who can get to the quarterback, and James Pearce Jr. gets to Mayfield for the first sack of the night.
SIX straight games with a sack for James Pearce Jr. pic.twitter.com/yGYoOLQxVM
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) December 12, 2025
8:37 p.m.: Rachaad White, Tampa Bay’s No. 2 back, takes it 20 yards all the way to the 49. The Buccaneers are near midfield.
Two plays later, Evans is back on the board, picking up the first down on a 12-yard reception.
Mike Evans is back moving the chains
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8:31 p.m.: On 3rd & 12, Cousins throws it short but its short of the chains.
Atlanta also punts for the first time tonight. Mayfield and Tampa Bay are back on the field, right above the 15, looking to break the 0-0 tie.
8:27 p.m.: Robinson has his second reception of the game, taking it for nine yards and a first down.
Atlanta is across the 40.
8:25 p.m.: Cousins completes his first pass of the game on 1st & 10, hitting Kyle Pitts for 13 yards. Atlanta is to the 30.
8:24 p.m.: Robinson has his first big run of the game. On 2nd & 9, he takes it 10 yards to the Atlanta 17.
8:20 p.m.: After the two first downs, Tampa Bay picks up zero yards on the next play and is forced to punt. It is downed inside the Atlanta 2, where Kirk Cousins and co. will start.
8:17 p.m.: Irving opens up the game with a big carry, taking it for 11 yards up the middle. The next play, the back once again gets 11 yards for a first down, this time coming on a reception.
8:16 p.m.: Atlanta has kicked off, and we are underway in Tampa Bay.
Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers offense has the ball first.
8:12 p.m.: Kickoff is moments away.
Will it be the Buccaneers advancing to 8-6 or will Atlanta play spoiler?
8:03 p.m.: Along with the return of Evans, second-year wideout Jalen McMillan will make his season debut tonight.
.@jalenmcmillan20 set to make his regular season debut 👏 pic.twitter.com/5M0eGCmHLL
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 12, 2025
McMillan was out with a severe neck injury.
7:57 p.m.: Tampa Bay needs the win tonight to stay above the Carolina Panthers in the NFC South race.
Creamsicle in primetime 🤩 pic.twitter.com/CoTmFz6usk
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 12, 2025
The Buccaneers face Carolina twice before the season ends.
7:41 p.m.: Bucky Irving, the Bucs’ star running back, missed a lot of the season with an injury. In two games back, he has 116 yards and a touchdown.
Bucky Irving rockin’ the Creamsicle 7️⃣
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Kickoff is approaching in Tampa Bay.
7:04 p.m.: Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans is returns tonight after missing a month-and-a-half with a broken collarbone.
1️⃣3️⃣ in Creamsicle is tough to beat 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/J6t3ZwfkBW
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 12, 2025
The wide receiver won’t play every snap, but he will make his first appearance since Oct. 20 against the Lions.
6:51 p.m.: Kyle Pitts, who has been dealing with an injury, is active for the Falcons tonight. Here is the list of their inactives.
Falcons TE Kyle Pitts is active tonight. pic.twitter.com/hvRbYtMmwZ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 11, 2025
6:45 p.m.: Tampa Bay has listed its inactives for tonight’s contest.
Inactives for #ATLvsTB ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/rD3YCJBXzr
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 11, 2025
Starting tight end Cade Otton will not suit up.
6:30 p.m.: There will be creamsicle end zones in Tampa Bay, adding to the beautiful uniform matchup.
Turning the clock back to 1976 🧡 pic.twitter.com/8iOyusdGDd
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 11, 2025
6:12 p.m.: Jalon Walker has been one of the best defensive rookies in the NFL this season. Tonight, he looks to get to Mayfield early and often.
Prime Time Walk 😤@JalonWlaker x #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/Lo6SQbkiGO
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 11, 2025
5:54 p.m.: Baker Mayfield is also on-site.
Ready to Bake on TNF 👨🍳
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— NFL (@NFL) December 11, 2025
In Week 1 against Atlanta, Mayfield threw for three touchdowns, including on a game-winning drive in the final minute.
5:48 p.m.: Bijan Robinson has arrived.
Bijan in the building 📍
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— NFL (@NFL) December 11, 2025
The running back, who is fourth in the NFL with 1,081 rushing yards, was limited to only 24 on 12 carries in the Week 1 matchup with the Buccaneers.
Though, he has performed well in primetime. In Week 2 against the Vikings, Robinson had 143 yards on 22 carries, and in Week 6 against the Bills had 238 scrimmage yards and a touchdown.
5:32 p.m.: We have an all-time jersey matchup tonight, with both Atlanta and Tampa Bay wearing throwback uniforms.
Battle of the throwbacks pic.twitter.com/QNXSttopJJ
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 11, 2025
Tampa Bay, the home team, will be bringing out its “Creamsicle” uniforms.
One of our favorite traditions… CREAMSICLE 🤩🔥
🎥: @SonyElectronics | #SonyPartner pic.twitter.com/QlwjIMYZfX
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 11, 2025
Atlanta, on the other hand, will wear its “Dirty Bird” throwbacks.
Prime time threads pic.twitter.com/QBtyZYFPQW
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 9, 2025
MORE WEEK 15 NFL:
Where to watch the NFL game tonightBuccaneers vs. Falcons start timeDate: Thursday, Dec. 11Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
“Thursday Night Football” will kick off at 8:15 p.m. from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL.
Buccaneers vs. Falcons TV channel
The game will be on Prime Video, with the usual “Thursday Night Football” crew of Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit on the call.
Falcons 2025 scheduleDateOpponentTime (ET)TV Channel12/11@ Buccaneers8:15 p.m.Prime Video12/21@ Cardinals4:05 p.m.FOX12/29vs. Rams8:15 p.m.ESPN1/4/26vs. SaintsTBDTBDBuccaneers 2025 scheduleDateOpponentTime (ET)TV Channel12/11vs. Falcons8:15 p.m.Prime Video12/21@ Panthers1:00 p.m.FOX12/28@ Dolphins1:00 p.m.FOX1/4/26vs. PanthersTBDTBD