Another week, another comeback, another odds-defying win The Bucs may not be the best team in the NFL, but they are just the most entertaining. On a day when the defense struggled to come up with plays, when the offense was missing four starters, when they blew three different leads, the Bucs scored twice in the final 68 seconds to beat the Seahawks 38-35 at Seattle's Lumen Field. It was Tampa Bay's fourth win of the season and the fourth time the Bucs have come from behind in the final minutes. According to the Associated Press, the Bucs are the first team in NFL history with four wins by three points or fewer in their first five games. Chase McLaughlin kicked a 39-yard field goal, his third of the game, as time expired. The game-winning drive was set up when Lavonte David intercepted a Sam Darnold pass that had deflected off the helmet of defensive lineman Logan Hall. Just minutes earlier, Hall had been called for a costly roughing the passer penalty on a Seattle touchdown drive. Playing in the stadium of his hometown team, Bucs rookie Emeka Egbuka continued a remarkable start to his career with seven catches for 163 yards and a touchdown. Egbuka is averaging 89 yards and one touchdown per game through his first five NFL starts. Game ball Missing his No. 1 receiver (Mike Evans) and No. 1 tailback (Bucky Irving) and with no running game to speak of, Baker Mayfield was simply brilliant. The Bucs quarterback was virtually flawless while completing 29 of 33 passes for 379 yards and two touchdowns. His four fourth-quarter comebacks lead the NFL. No one else has more than two. Play of the day No question, the David interception was the biggest play of the afternoon. But he would not have been in position for the play if Mayfield and Egbuka had not connected on a big play late in the third quarter. The Seahawks had tied the game 21-21 and the Bucs were facing a third and 13 from the Tampa Bay 41 after a first down was wiped out by a sketchy illegal formation penalty when Egbuka totally burned cornerback Josh Jobe on a deep post route and Mayfield hit him with a 57-yard pass to the Seattle 2. The Bucs scored two plays later. Keep an eye on Look for Vegas to offer odds on the possibility that Todd Bowles' head explodes on the sideline. After watching three kicks get blocked during the first month of the season, special teams play continues to infuriate the Bucs head coach. Seattle returned three kickoffs near midfield, although one of them was negated by a penalty. It's difficult to win when special teams continue to undermine the offense and defense week after week. NFC South update So the Bucs took care of business Sunday to remain atop the division. The Falcons, who began the day one game behind the Bucs and were on a bye week, face the Bills next Monday night. Meanwhile, the suspense is over in the Big Easy the Saints have won a game. New Orleans got five turnovers and beat the Giants 26-14. Up next Watched that game with one eye closed, did you? Well, you should be prepared for next week, too. While the Bucs return home, the opponent does not get any easier with the 49ers coming to town. The Bucs will have faced teams that were 3-0, 3-1 and 4-1 in consecutive weeks. John Romano, Tampa Bay Times, published 6 October 2025