Thursday night’s primetime game between the Bucs and Falcons was long circled on the calendar as the creamsicle game, but it also carried significant playoff implications. Every week from here on out is a must-win for Tampa Bay, and it was important that they came out and played their best brand of football against the Falcons. Another midseason lull has once again put head coach Todd Bowles in the crosshairs of criticism, and it won’t get any better after Tampa Bay blew a 14-point fourth-quarter lead and lost to Atlanta in absolutely heartbreaking fashion, 29-28.

Despite the loss, here is what was most impressive in Week 15:

WRs Mike Evans And Jalen McMillan

The spotlight was on Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan coming in, and each of them delivered under the lights at Raymond James Stadium. Only M1K3 could get the crowd going with an 11-yard catch in the first quarter, his first catch coming back from the broken clavicle injury he suffered in Week 7.

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Evans had a huge 34-yard grab just before halftime to set up a field goal, “Mossed” cornerback Cobee Bryant for a 45-yarder in the third quarter and consistently drew penalties on cornerback A.J. Terrell. His presence alone brought confidence that the passing game could have a big play at any moment, and he finished the game with six catches for 132 yards.

He is back and better than ever.

For McMillan, his first 19-yard catch set up the touchdown, and his second 19-yarder was a chunk play on a field goal drive. They contributed to each of the scoring drives, and without them, Tampa Bay scores fewer than 13 points in the first half and this one may not have even been close.

OC Josh Grizzard Making The Most Of Personnel

Todd Bowles has taken on the brunt of the blame for the Bucs’ fall from the top of the NFC after a 6-2 start, but the offense has also been sputtering in recent weeks. Getting wide receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan opened up offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard’s playbook, with Evans drawing the usual coverage and attention over the top.

That allowed McMillan to get his first catch across the middle of the field in the first quarter, a 19-yard grab all the way down to the 1-yard line that came “oh so close” to rocking Raymond James Stadium with cheers.

Bucs WR Jalen McMillan and Falcons S Xavier Watts – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Grizzard deserves credit for the improved playcalling during that eventual scoring drive, as the unit went 11 plays for 83 yards to get a 7-0 lead. In particular, getting Evans and McMillan involved, as well as changing up the run scheme, led to improved results early on. Calling cross-buck out the pony package sparked a 20-yard run by Rachaad White with tackles Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke providing key blocks, and Emeka Egbuka hauled in a 23-yard grab as well. That drive offered promise of what the unit could be at full strength, especially with the top four wide receivers completing their first game together.

It was not just that one drive that has Grizzard making the list this week. He varied up the personnel usage more, including getting backup offensive linemen Ben Chukwuma and Charlie Heck on the field, and even Vita Vea plowed the way for a Sean Tucker touchdown. That was a smart decision when utilized as the offense was without Cade Otton as the extra blocker.

There weren’t the same old, same old play designs, which was encouraging. One second-quarter sequence that stood out was Baker Mayfield finding Chris Godwin Jr., Evans, Egbuka, and McMillan on four separate plays. The result? Four completions for 47 yards, which set up a field goal.

No, it was not completely perfect, but things were improved. The execution under Mayfield remains shaky at times, but it was more put together with 330 total offensive yards.

K Chase McLaughlin

Every time I get the chance to mention how good Chase McLaughlin is, I take it. McLaughlin’s pinpoint accuracy should not be dismissed. He is in peak form, leaving his early struggles fully behind him. Ask No. 4 to make field goals from 45, 55, or even 65 yards, and he can do it.

In this game, McLaughlin nailed a 49-yard field goal right down the middle in the second quarter to give Tampa Bay a 10-7 lead, and then connected on a 52-yarder going into halftime to cut Atlanta’s lead to 14-13. For all the negatives about the special teams unit, having as reliable of a kicker as any has been a huge saving grace.

LT Tristan Wirfs

Tristan Wirfs was a brick wall along the Bucs’ offensive line, serving as the stabilizing force for a pocket that still allowed too much pressure on Baker Mayfield. Mayfield did not help matters by holding onto the football too long, leading to a couple of sacks that are not on the big guys.

To Wirfs’ credit, the All-Pro blindside protector did not allow a single pressure in the first half and stifled first-round rookie pass rusher Jalon Walker.

OLB Yaya Diaby

Yaya Diaby is becoming more like the consistent pass rusher the Bucs have wanted him to be since his promising rookie season. Diaby is not quite a solidified top pass rusher, but he has strung together a stretch of quality play. “Sub-Zero” had several pressures on Kirk Cousins throughout the game, recording two quarterback hits and a tackle for loss and fitting the run as well as he could have. For a unit lacking many long-term pieces, Diaby is developing into one.

DT Logan Hall

Coming into this game, I expected Bijan Robinson to run roughshod on the Bucs’ defense. Robinson did just that, but not because of Logan Hall. Hall held his own and had impressive moments upfront, stopping what would have been a big run in the first quarter for just a 4-yard gain and drawing an offensive holding penalty on left tackle Jake Matthews later on the Falcons’ next offensive drive.

Bucs DT Logan Hall and OLB Yaya Diaby – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

He was one of few bright spots along the front seven, as this game served as the latest example of how much the run defense has regressed and why serious personnel upgrades are needed over the offseason. Replacing Hall, who is an upcoming free agent, is one move to consider, but at least in this one, he was active and recorded a career-high five tackles — before halftime.

TE Devin Culp

What a time for Devin Culp to make his first catch of the year.

The 2024 seventh-round pick saw some playing time with Cade Otton out, although his role remained limited as he lacks the necessary blocking ability for 12-personnel sets. That did not stop Culp from coming out in a red zone situation, hauling in a 6-yard touchdown on the first target he has had through 15 weeks.

He came alive in Weeks 17 and 18 last year and made another late-season scene to give the Bucs a 20-14 lead midway through the third quarter.

WR Chris Godwin Jr.

Don’t forget about Chris Godwin Jr., either. Godwin had a quiet game — up until his early fourth-quarter touchdown. The trusty Godwin hauled in a 3-yard pass from Baker Mayfield, then completed the drive with the elusive “Octopus” by getting the two-point conversion as well.

At that point in the game, the lead grew to 28-14. When the game got close just before the two-minute warning, Mayfield found Godwin again on a third-and-3 to pick up the first down. “CG” made plays when they mattered.