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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.

Buccaneers vs. Falcons score

 

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Buccaneers vs. Falcons live updates, highlights from ‘Thursday Night Football’

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

6:45 p.m.: Tampa Bay has listed its inactives for tonight’s contest.

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.

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.

5:54 p.m.: Baker Mayfield is also on-site.

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.

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.

Tampa Bay, the home team, will be bringing out its “Creamsicle” uniforms.

Atlanta, on the other hand, will wear its “Dirty Bird” throwbacks. 

MORE WEEK 15 NFL:

Where to watch the NFL game tonight

Buccaneers vs. Falcons start time

  • Date: Thursday, Dec. 11
  • Time: 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 schedule

Date Opponent Time (ET) TV Channel
12/11 @ Buccaneers 8:15 p.m. Prime Video
12/21 @ Cardinals 4:05 p.m. FOX
12/29 vs. Rams 8:15 p.m. ESPN
1/4/26 vs. Saints TBD TBD

Buccaneers 2025 schedule

Date Opponent Time (ET) TV Channel
12/11 vs. Falcons 8:15 p.m. Prime Video
12/21 @ Panthers 1:00 p.m. FOX
12/28 @ Dolphins 1:00 p.m. FOX
1/4/26 vs. Panthers TBD TBD
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