Tampa has lost four of its last five games since staking out a massive NFC South lead and is now in danger of potentially missing the playoffs if it can't rebound down the stretch. The Bucs play three division games in the final four weeks of the season and need to stack wins in those contests, starting with this one on Thursday night.

Dynamic Falcons running back Bijan Robinson leads the NFL with 1,683 scrimmage yards. He has 1,081 yards rushing. Led by run-stuffing nose tackle Vita Vea, the Bucs are ninth against the run. However, they allowed 136 yards to Jahmyr Gibbs in Week 7 and 147 to TreVeyon Henderson in Week 10.

The Buccaneers brought veteran defensive end Jason Pierre–Paul back to the league on Monday by signing him to their practice squad. The 36-year-old last played in the NFL in 2023, but he never considered himself retired from the game. In fact, Pierre-Paul told reporters on Tuesday that he always knew he would return to the sport.

The Buccaneers lost at home in Week 14 to New Orleans Saints, 24-20, on a stormy day at Raymond James Stadium.

The Buccaneers bring back Jason Pierre Paul in a move that signals urgency as the defense continues to lose its footing.

Shough found Foster Moreau for 16 yards to move the Saints into Bucs territory before the end of the quarter. New Orleans failed to find another first down, meaning Charlie Smyth came out for a 48-yard field goal attempt. But he missed wide left.

Saints upset the Buccaneers 24-20 on the road. Tyler Slough threw for 144 yards on 13/20 completions with 1 interception, and also 7 rushes for 55 yards and 2 touchdowns. Devin Neal rushed 19 times for 70 yards and a touchdown. Devaughn Vele caught 3 receptions for 40 yards.

Forget the 6-2 start and dreams of making a championship run. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers don’t even look like a playoff team right now.