Against the Patriots in the Week 10 clash at Raymond James Stadium, Buccaneers' rookie receivers Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson rallied the offense and helped open the playbook. Egbuka led the Buccaneers with 115 receiving yards on six receptions with one touchdown catch. His 115 yards marked his third 100-yard performance of the 2025 season, tied for the fourth-most by any player in 2025. His three games with 100-plus receiving yards are tied (with Ja'Marr Chase in 2021) for the third-most by a rookie wide receiver through the first 10 Weeks of a season since 2016, trailing only Puka Nacua (4 in 2021) and Justin Jefferson (4 in 2020). Egbuka is one of four players since the 1970 merger to record 40-plus receptions and average at least 16.5 yards per reception through their first nine career games, joining Ja'Marr Chase in 2021, Justin Jefferson in 2020, and Mike Evans in 2014.
The Bucs' opening offensive possession culminated in an Egbuka 21-yard touchdown. Earlier in the drive, his 24-yard gain off an in-breaking route created the momentum. Throughout the showdown, Egbuka battled in a one-on-one with Christian Gonzalez and displayed his route-running prowess. His 31-yard pickup off an in-route that exploited the Patriots off coverage set up Chase McLaughlin's 36-yard field goal.
"\[I'm\] seeing some of the best corners like I saw today in Gonzalez following me around \[or\] double coverage versus Detroit a lot," noted Egbuka. "A lot of shell and other stuff versus the Saints – depends on their gameplan."
Johnson hauled in four catches for 42 yards, including two touchdown grabs to record his first career multi-touchdown performance. Johnson has eclipsed 40 receiving yards in five straight games, tied for the longest-such streak by a rookie in the NFL this season (also owns the longest active such streak by a rookie). On his 10-yard touchdown in the third quarter, Johnson continued running across the back of the end zone, extending the play to make himself available to Mayfield on the rollout. He caught another dart from Mayfield with 0:33 on the clock in the fourth. Johnson ignited the offense with his explosive burst, start-and-stop moves, and ability to exploit open-field pursuit.
With their touchdown grabs on Sunday, Egbuka and Johnson became the first pair of rookie wide receivers to each bring in a touchdown catch in the same game this season. They became the first such duo to accomplish the feat since Carolina's Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker did so on Oct. 27, 2024.
"I mean, I always tell 'Mek' he's the best rookie in the country right now, and I think Tampa Bay drafted two good ones, really good ones," said Johnson on his excitement surrounding the Bucs' receiver room. "So, like I said, he's the best in the country at this position right now at receiver as a rookie. I think he deserves the rookie award 100%. I love 'Mek' – great guy, great kid… I'm saying kid, and I'm the same age, but yeah, he deserves everything. I love him."