Last week was bad, this was worse. Bucs blow late lead Do not fret, the season is not yet lost. It's just meandering in the dark. The Bucs wasted a remarkable return to the field by Mike Evans Thursday night by blowing a lead in the final two minutes against the Falcons. Zane Gonzalez kicked a 43-yard field goal as time expired for a 29-28 Atlanta victory. The Falcons were facing third and 28 with 1:20 remaining and completed passes of 14 and 21 yards to convert the first down. Tampa Bay now falls a half-game behind the Panthers after leading the NFC South for the entire season. It's not quite doomsday, however, because the Bucs still have two games against Carolina, including a road game next week. For most of the night, it appeared as if Evans had rescued Tampa Bay's season. Returning to the field after missing nearly two months with a broken collarbone, Evans revitalized a dormant Bucs offense with 132 receiving yards. Play of the day He is 6-feet-6 and 250 pounds, and still the Bucs defense lost track of Kyle Pitts in the final minute. The Falcons tight end caught 11 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns, including a critical 14-yard reception when Atlanta was facing third and 28 on the final drive. Game ball Forget the result for a moment and just appreciate this latest chapter in the Mike Evans saga. On the sidelines for more than seven weeks, the 32-year-old returned to the huddle Thursday as if he didn't have a care in the world. Evans picked up first downs on his first six receptions, not to mention three more when defensive backs committed penalties while trying to cover him. Keep an eye on Just when the offense is beginning to look whole again, the Bucs have a potentially critical injury on defense. Cornerback Zyon McCollum left the game late in the first half with a hip injury and did not return. Considering Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, you'd be justified to worry about Tampa Bay's secondary. NFC South update Start planning your watch party now. The Bucs are in Charlotte on Dec. 21 with the division lead on the line. That game alone won't determine Tampa Bay's playoff fortunes — the Panthers and Bucs meet again at Raymond James Stadium in the season's final week — but it will go a long way toward determining whether this season goes down as an epic collapse. Up next The Panthers have had some interesting results at home this season. In their last five games at Bank of America Stadium, they've gone 3-2. But they've also been outscored 136-104. All three victories have been by three points, but they were blown out by Buffalo and lost by 10 to New Orleans. John Romano, Tampa Bay Times, published 12 December 2025