The Bucs headed to Atlanta to face the Falcons to kick off Week 5 on Thursday Night Football. Tampa Bay was ready to battle in primetime, going back and forth in an exciting shootout that went to overtime. It ended in a heartbreaking 36-30 defeat as the defense simply could not keep up with Kirk Cousins. Now sitting at 3-2 with a mini-bye week ahead, here are the most impressive players who can be proud of their efforts in this one despite the loss.

QB Baker Mayfield

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

Baker Mayfield or Gus Swayze?

Whoever was under center quarterbacking the Bucs had an impressive game.

Assuming it was Mayfield, he was in control and went blow-for-blow with Kirk Cousins in the first half. He completed 12 of his 15 passes for 131 passing yards and three touchdowns as Tampa Bay went into halftime holding a 24-17 lead.

Whether finding Mike Evans or turning back the clock by throwing a dart to Sterling Shepard, he made all the plays and continued his hot start this season. Mayfield finished the game completing 19 of his 24 passes for 180 passing yards and three touchdowns.

Operating in Liam Coen’s offense, Baker Mayfield looks dangerous and has built quite the resume this season. Through five games, Mayfield has 11 touchdown passes and two touchdown runs. The biggest issue for him throughout his career has having stability and being consistent. Now having both, things unsurprisingly are clicking for both he and the team.

WR Mike Evans

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: USA Today

A week after becoming the Bucs’ all-time leading scorer, Mike Evans reached another milestone this week by recording his 100th career total touchdown. Evans had two touchdowns in the game, the first a wide-open 2-yard grab in the first quarter. Then in the second quarter, Baker Mayfield found him as he hit the top of his route for a 23-yard score.

Getting Mike Evans involved early again paid off, as he made his first catch of the day on the offense’s first play. Evans finished the game with five catches for 62 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Through five games, Evans has five touchdowns and continues to be one of the most dangerous weapons in the NFL.

Oh, and it’s worth mentioning he just doesn’t catch touchdowns. Evans also made a heads-up play and recovered a fumble after Chris Godwin hauled in a 20-yard pass and lost control of the ball. He does it all.

K Chase McLaughlin

Immediately following Younghoe Koo’s two missed field goals, Chase McLaughlin came on and drilled a 53-yarder right down the middle to give the Bucs a 10-7 lead late in the first quarter. He later nailed another 53-yarder to give the Bucs a fourth-quarter lead. McLaughlin has quietly been one of the best kickers in the NFL since signing with Tampa Bay and is now a perfect 10-for-10 on his field goals this season, including 5-of-5 from 50+ yards out.

Simply elite.

Improving Bucs’ Run Game

After an encouraging game on the ground against the Eagles that was the offense’s most balanced attack, the Bucs’ run game continued to make strides. Tampa Bay had 26 carries for 160 rushing yards on the day.

Much of that was because of Rachaad White’s 56-yard scamper, but it was a positive and efficient day overall. Baker Mayfield even showed off his wheels, adding 42 rushing yards himself. It was a welcome sign to see the offense continue to move the ball on the ground, and they may be finally turning the corner after some rough rushing seasons.

DT Logan Hall

Defensive tackle Logan Hall has started to come into his own a little bit over the past couple of weeks.

Hall notched two sacks on Kirk Cousins and had five quarterback hits on the day. After having a sack last week, he is getting into a groove. Tampa Bay would surely like to see their 2022 second-round pick turn the corner and settle in as a starting NFL defensive lineman.

NT Vita Vea

Bucs DT Vita Vea and Falcons RB Bijan Robinson – Photo by: USA Today

The tone-setter along the defensive line, Vita Vea made a big play on a third-and-5 in the first quarter. Bijan Robinson was given the unfortunate task of pass protecting with Vea rushing toward him with a full head of steam. Robinson wanted no part of it, and the big guy took down Kirk Cousins for what would end up being a huge sack.

Kicker Younghoe Koo would come on and miss his 46-yard and subsequent 41-yard field goal attempts. After moving the ball downfield, Atlanta’s offensive drive resulted in no points, and Vita Vea was a big reason why.

Outside of that play, Vea helped control the line of scrimmage and limit the Falcons on the ground outside of one big run.

ILB Lavonte David

Lavonte David was extremely impressive last week against the Eagles and had two sacks. Thursday night was not the best night for him and the rest of the Bucs’ defense, but David came through when the unit needed their veteran the most. On a fourth-and-15 right after the two-minute warning, the veteran inside linebacker intercepted Kirk Cousins on a pass intended for Darnell Mooney.

It was Lavonte David’s first interception since 2020, and it was a play that gave a hapless defense some energy.

KR Sean Tucker

Sean Tucker also makes this list for his special teams work. The second-year running back did not get a carry, but he did make two nice kick returns for 86 yards. In the words of Chris Berman, it included a rumblin’, bumblin’, stumblin’ 53-yard return that was simply electric. Tucker should be the primary kick returner going forward.

WR Chris Godwin

Chris Godwin is having a nice start to the season and kept it up with his efforts Thursday night. While Godwin did not find the end zone, he did contribute to Baker Mayfield’s big day, finishing the game with five catches for 64 receiving yards. The veteran wide receiver does not get enough credit as his counterpart Mike Evans, but he continues to provide big plays and regular production.

NCB Tavierre Thomas – On Special Teams

Tavierre Thomas did not play much on defense, but still made his impact in Thursday night’s game. Younghoe Koo came out to attempt a 54-yarder to tie the game at 30 in the fourth quarter. Instead of tying the game, Thomas had other plans. The veteran defensive back blocked the kick, which kept it a 30-27 game at the time and was a big play.