Emeka Egbuka gets brutally honest on dropped pass in end zone during Buccaneers' loss to Saints

Emeka Egbuka didn't sugarcoat his feelings about his dropped pass in the end zone during the Buccaneers' loss to the Saints on Sunday. The mistake prevented Tampa Bay from tying the game at Raymond James Stadium.

Egbuka leads all Bucs receivers this season with 54 receptions for 806 yards and six scores. Baker Mayfield has relied on the Ohio State product throughout a year marked by injuries to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan.

The drop occurred with under six minutes remaining. Tampa Bay trailed 24-17 after Tyler Shough scored on a 13-yard scramble to give New Orleans the lead.

"It's a huge honor to play for this team and be part of this brotherhood," Egbuka told reporters. "I can't help but feel like I let them down today. I'm on this team for one reason and it's to catch the ball and I didn't."

Rick Stroud

@NFLSTROUD

Bucs rookie Emeka Egbuka on his dropped pass in the end zone that would’ve given the Bucs the lead in the fourth quarter. “You know, I can’t help but feel I let them down today. I’m on this team for one reason and it’s to catch the ball.”

The Buccaneers pushed deep into Saints territory with a first-and-15 at the 22-yard line. Egbuka ran a sharp route with a hard fake to the right before cutting back upfield, completely losing his defender. He found himself alone as he reached the goal line, but Mayfield's pass slipped through his grasp during the afternoon downpour.

Tampa Bay settled for a Chase McLaughlin field goal and never threatened again.

Baker Mayfield tells Emeka Egbuka: "The ball is going to find you again"

NFL: New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Source: Imagn

Baker Mayfield approached his Emeka Egbuka on the sideline following the incompletion.

"Mek is a professional," Mayfield told reporters. "Obviously, he's going to beat himself up about that. Afterwards, I went up to him and told him, 'The ball is going to find you again in this two-minute drive when we get it back, so we're gonna need you.'

"It's just the nature of the game. Telling people to 'catch the ball' doesn't do anything. They're not trying to drop it, so I just (told) him to pick his head up. Stuff happens. We've gotta move forward (and) gotta play the next play."

The 24-20 defeat tied Tampa Bay (7-6) with Carolina atop the NFC South.