ClutchPoints
Another week, another late victory for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After winning their first three games of the 2025 season in the last minute of regulation, the Buccaneers headed to Seattle to face the Seahawks at 3-1. The hosts were also entering the Week 5 tilt at 3-1. However, a late interception by linebacker Lavonte David led to Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield marching the offense down the field, getting the visitors in position for a game-winning field goal.
Still at the top of the NFC South at 4-1, the Buccaneers will now compete for NFC supremacy. The NFC West leading San Francisco 49ers, also at 4-1, are coming to Tampa in a clash of division leaders. Based on how many injuries each team is dealing with at the moment, their place in the standings might seem like a minor miracle to many NFL fans. The 49ers come to Raymond James Stadium dealing with 23 injured players. Meanwhile, the Bucs have 16 players dealing with various ailments themselves.
Each team will also be missing multiple key starters. The hometown Buccaneers will be without starting cornerbacks Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison, not to mention starting running back Bucky Irving and their veteran wide receiver duo of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr. Meanwhile, the 49ers are missing starting quarterback Brock Purdy, tight end George Kittle, edge rusher Nick Bosa plus wide receivers Ricky Pearsall and Brandon Aiyuk. Nevertheless, both squads will look to prove that they belong at the top of the NFC. Can the Bucs pull off their fifth victory of 2025, or will the visitors spoil those chances?
Shortly after the NFL Draft this past April, many questioned why the Buccaneers used their first-round pick on Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. While very few questioned that Egbuka was worthy of the selection, the Bucs already had a strong trio of receivers in Evans, Godwin Jr. and sophomore Jalen McMillan.
However, the selection of Egbuka has proven to be a master class. At the moment, the former Buckeye is FanDuel’s leader for the Offensive Rookie of the Year. He’s steadily improved each week. It’s also clear that his relationship with Mayfield continues to blossom, as the veteran quarterback has grown to rely on Egbuka’s great hands and superb route running to consistently exploit defenses.
The Week 5 win over the Seahawks was Egbuka’s best game yet. The rookie caught all seven of his targets for 163 yards and a touchdown. He’s scored in every game this season, with the exception of the Buccaneers’ Week 3 29-27 win over the New York Jets. Against the 49ers, Egbuka will look to have an even bigger day than in last Sunday’s tilt. Expect double digit targets for the ex-OSU standout. That will in turn lead to a 200+ yard performance, plus a touchdown or two. Egbuka’s performance will also step up in the game’s second half as the home team looks to put away the...
