The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are leaving Atlanta with a 1–0 record, but it almost slipped away.
Kicker Chase McLaughlin, typically one of the Bucs’ most dependable specialists, had a shaky start to the 2025 season, missing a 44-yard field goal and a PAT in what ended up being a narrow 23–20 win over the Falcons. In a game that came down to the final minute, and a missed Falcons field goal of their own, McLaughlin’s miscues loomed large
The first misstep came in the third quarter, when McLaughlin’s 44-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left. It would have stretched Tampa Bay’s lead to six at the time, but instead gave Atlanta favorable field position and momentum.Worse yet, following a go-ahead touchdown pass to rookie Emeka Egbuka late in the fourth quarter, McLaughlin missed the extra point, leaving the Bucs clinging to a 3-point lead instead of a more comfortable 4-point cushion.
That error opened the door for the Falcons to potentially force overtime, had they converted their final drive.
Luckily for Tampa Bay, Atlanta’s Younghoe Koo missed his own game-tying attempt, sealing the win for the Bucs. The Bucs escaped with the win, but McLaughlin’s rough outing was a reminder that in the NFL, every point matters, and next time, it might not be the opponent who makes the final mistake.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: The one gaurantee on the Buccaneers may not be one anymore
Reporting by Ashlie Abrahams, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
