Story byRookie receiver Emeka Egbuka had a rough game Sunday against the Saints, dropping a potential game-tying touchdown pass in the end zone and negating another big play with a pass-interference penalty. ©Luis SantanaRick Stroud, Times staffMon, December 8, 2025 at 2:29 AM UTC·6 min readEmeka Ebuka was all alone in the end zone Sunday as Baker Mayfield’s fourth-quarter pass descended into his hands. All the Bucs receiver had to do was catch the football and the game against the lowly Saints would’ve been tied with just under six minutes remaining. Momentum, and an escape against a team that entered the game with only two wins was literally within reach. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementInstead, the pass slipped through Egbuka’s fingers, and the Bucs had to settle for a field goal and what became a 24-20 loss. If you want a snapshot of how the Bucs have lost their grip on the NFC South, there it is. Egbuka, the first-round pick from Ohio State, was the favorite to take NFL Rookie of the Year honors when the Bucs jumped out to a 5-1 start.