Buccaneers 23, Falcons 20
September 7th, 2025
No answers.
Sloppy, sloppy football game to open the season. But it was oh, so pretty in the end.
Pass the Rolaids. The Bucs are 4-0 in opening days under head coach Todd Bowles.
Baker Mayfield? He was rustier than a 40-year-old snow shovel, but he sure delivered with the game on the line, a perfect strike to Emeka Egbuka to give the Bucs a 23-20 lead with one minute to play. It was Egbuka’s second of the day.
Joe has so many questions. Where did the Tampa Bay running game disappear to? Perhaps Joe can explain that away by the three-player mysterious pregame shakeup on the Bucs’ offensive line.
Graham Barton moved to left tackle to start for backup left tackle Charlie Heck, and the Bucs rolled with Michael Jordan at left guard and moved left guard Ben Bredeson to center. Answers on that will be forthcoming, as Joe is in Atlanta with Ira Kaufman.
You know it’s going to be rough day when Chase McLaughlin misses a field goal — and an extra point. But the Buccaneers’ grit kept showing up in key moments.
The Bucs defense had plenty of quality moments, including Haason Reddick getting a drive-killing sack on a third down in the third quarter, but overall it was the same old story with a couple of ugly roughing the passer calls late in the fourth quarter. And Falcons quarterback Michael Penix had too much time much of the game and Bucs defenders gave too much cushion. Penix finished 27-of-42 for 298 yards and 1 TD. He also ran for 21 yards.
Joe gives high marks to Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey and YaYa Diaby for their work in the Bucs’ run defense.
New Bucs playcaller Josh Grizzard seemed to have a rough debut, but Joe expects him to get better and better.
Any road win is sweet, and this one is no different.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:27 pm
Defense is zero changed from last year
September 7th, 2025 at 4:27 pm
Whew that was close.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:27 pm
We were due a win like this
September 7th, 2025 at 4:28 pm
The announcer saying Baker is the guy you want to lead that final drive, boy was he right!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:28 pm
Baker almost blew the game!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:28 pm
Young HOOOO KOOOO has granted us another win
September 7th, 2025 at 4:28 pm
Damn kicker
September 7th, 2025 at 4:28 pm
The over under for fire Bowles in this threat is 19
September 7th, 2025 at 4:28 pm
omg, excuse me while I go have a heart attack….
September 7th, 2025 at 4:28 pm
A nail-biter! Bucs 1-0. YAY!!!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:28 pm
Told you, never had a doubt!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:29 pm
Weirdest game I have ever seen I never a play by play. But hallelujah a few hail marks and a thank ya Lord it’s feels good to get a winner!! GO BUCS
September 7th, 2025 at 4:29 pm
We won. PERIOD!!
LFG!!!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:29 pm
I love my Bucs, but I am so tired of Bowles. This team was not ready to play again, you can tell they were rusty and should have played some in the preseason. He needs to go
September 7th, 2025 at 4:29 pm
Holy Cow!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:29 pm
Good job Baker Mayfield 👏👏 I give you the credit . Baker was the main reason why we won.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:29 pm
GREAT WIN 🏆
September 7th, 2025 at 4:29 pm
Egbuka MVP.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:29 pm
At least we beat them in their crib. nasty game. EE is for real.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:29 pm
battle of brainiacs at head coach
September 7th, 2025 at 4:30 pm
I’ll take it – lot of work to do but it’s good to get the win.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:30 pm
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a football game with so many mistakes. And of course, the game was decided by a mistake. It’s like whoever made the last mistake loses.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:30 pm
Pmike Says:
September 7th, 2025 at 4:27 pm
We were due a win like this
I concur 💯 🙌
September 7th, 2025 at 4:30 pm
So what’s the deal with Heck? Get hurt opening his car door in the parking lot?
September 7th, 2025 at 4:30 pm
One of the most bizarre endings I can remember seeing in several years.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:30 pm
“Baka to Buca!”
Make it a thing!!!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:30 pm
That was an UGLY UGLY UGLY win.
But, I’ll take it!!! 🙂
September 7th, 2025 at 4:30 pm
Honestly, closer than it should have been, the Bucs were the better team. Some things to clean up, and the ability of the other team to just drive the field still frustrating. Jamel Dean nearly gave up a TD at the end there.
Gotta be better Bucs, but at the end of the day, all Ws count the same.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:30 pm
Did you all see Baker choke “again”?
Me neither.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:30 pm
Nice win. Needed that for sure. Go Baker!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:30 pm
This game was in doubt up until the final few seconds.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:31 pm
For an offense that was clearly out of sync, except for the rookie, good win.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:31 pm
Bucs need to comp me a pacemaker
September 7th, 2025 at 4:31 pm
Did it look like they haven’t played real football in months sure it’s week one was it a pretty win maybe not but it most definitely was a win oh beautiful week one explanation point we’ve already got one more win over them dirty girls then last year one and no baby
September 7th, 2025 at 4:31 pm
Get well soon, Morrison!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:31 pm
Good start to the season. No turnovers.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:31 pm
Poetic justice for the Bucs when the league and officials call BS penalties.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:31 pm
Our Kicker better send Koo some money or a few ladies of the night!! He saved our bacon shanking that one!! The good news is I don’t think we could play much worse up to that last drive for the TD.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:31 pm
omg not sure I love seeing Falcons get beat or Bucs win more but damn that was a stressfull game. I hate thee Falcons!!!!!!! Egbuka yeah he’s a really good pickup.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:31 pm
Great job by Bowles. His team didn’t panic and they pulled it out.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:32 pm
Antoine Winfield saved that game for us too. Beautiful pass by Mayfield! Egbuka was awesome as advertised. Need more pressure to win more easily.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:32 pm
Thank you Baker and Double E!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:32 pm
Bucs got it done! Don’t know what’s up w/ the kicker but we’ll worry bout dat later… 1-0!!! Go Bucs🏈🏆🌎!!!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:32 pm
No matter how bad Bake plays, the guy never gives up. Like Honey Badger. lol.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:32 pm
Rjscheapseats Says:
September 7th, 2025 at 4:28 pm
The over under for fire Bowles in this threat is 19
OK now THAT was funny! LOL
September 7th, 2025 at 4:32 pm
Bucs were not ATL ready!
Bowles is holding this team back.
His in game decision making is horrendous.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:32 pm
The Football Gods were on the Bucs side because the Bucs kept trying to lose the game.
The play calling needs to get better.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:32 pm
This is the kind of game you get when you can’t hit during training camp and your starters don’t play in the pre-season.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:32 pm
Yes great play by Winfield too!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:33 pm
Didn’t bowles see the problem with the defense in the off-season, a eureka moment, maybe it’s time to get them eyes checked saw alot of the same old stuff that plagued the bucs last season.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:33 pm
I take baack my negative comments on Dean, he played good enough. wow–just wow!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:33 pm
Koo embarassed an entire nation today being one of the few if only Korean playing in the NFL.
for once the lucky ball bounced our way!
Bucs plyed some good ball and bad ball thgankfully we came out on top!
Go Bucs Go Baker and Go Ebuuuuuuyakaaaahhhh!!!!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:33 pm
As to the defense, anyone who expected them to be improved in the first game is fooling themselves. They got boosted by mostly young players…and this was their first game in the NFL.
Just like the offensive line didn’t do great in their first game last year. It’s called development.
As to the Refs…I thought it was a perfectly called game, aside from the missed false start at the end.
Fans always blame the refs, but in this case, they did great. The Bucs players were at fault for all of those penalties. Not the refs.
But that’s fine. Staff will address it this week and we’ll see improvement in each game going forward.
We won.
Pretty or not, we won. Against a division rival who we will have better stats than they do by the end of the year, so we’ll beat them in the standings.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:33 pm
Lots of topics to discuss from this game. Atlanta could have had four interceptions and Mayfield could have had two maybe three more touchdowns. A little sloppy we got to clean this up. The win is great but don’t allow the win to forget the tape. Sloppy, sloppy. I predicted 14 wins…yikes
September 7th, 2025 at 4:33 pm
buc4evr Says:
September 7th, 2025 at 4:30 pm
“This game was in doubt up until the final few seconds.”
That’s why we love football.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:33 pm
This pass rush is not going to cut it! Seriously.
And clearly the Bucs starting CBs continue to be allergic to intercepting the ball.
It must be something in their contract that penalizes them for picking off the ball.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:33 pm
I meant weirdest game I have ever seen watching my phone and pounding the refresh button every 2 seconds. I’m watching the play by play v y reading and this was a bizzare oddity for sure. I’m worried about Chase he seems to be kicking with his opposite leg. This was surely a preseason tune up type feel. I can’t imagine the heart attacks we all almost had. Phew!!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:34 pm
Licht deserves game ball for picking Buca.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:34 pm
Bad refereeing keeps cropping up. The refs pushed the Falcons down the field late in the 4th quarter.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:34 pm
firethecannons Says
“I take baack my negative comments on Dean, he played good enough. wow–just wow!”
Very stand-up of you. Cool.
I don’t think he was perfect, but he wasn’t horrible either.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:34 pm
The refs jobbed the Bucs the whole game , but Bake and EE pulled it out.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:34 pm
Who was the genus who called a time out to allow a video assist that resulted in a catch being ruled as incomplete????? Most coaches would have run a play. Great job todd.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:34 pm
a tough ugly road win is a win. lots of rust all over the place but rustiness isnt a stat in pro football.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:34 pm
Hey Jack. It’s 4:30. You lost.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:34 pm
A wins a win!
Lets go Bucs!
Lets go EE, Baker and the rest.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:34 pm
That last minute shuffle didn’t work, but we are fortunate to come away with a win. CLEAN IT UP AND LETS GO
September 7th, 2025 at 4:34 pm
This year’s defense looks eerily like last year’s defense, BUT … they only gave up 20 points. That’d give us a Top-10 ranking & keep us competitive for a playoff slot.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:35 pm
I told my wife, watch dean, he will get beat here for 6.. thx Winfield!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:35 pm
Pass rush is not good. Gotta fix it somehow someway.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:35 pm
Is a W and that is all that matters
Not impressed with Reddick at all
Dennis regressed a lot
Dean was his usual self, a liability waiting to happen
Glad to see Zyon come back from the shoulder
Winfield made another game saving play
September 7th, 2025 at 4:35 pm
First place in the division!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:35 pm
I feel I just experienced 10 years of bad Buc ball !
September 7th, 2025 at 4:36 pm
Defense showed up> Offense looked rusty, Baker missed throws but made them when needed. Defense showed a lot of grit, Pennix got the ball out quick to avoid the rush but the game was closer than it should have been. I thought the Bucs would run down the field and put it away with a TD before the Chicks went on their final drive. I really can’t believe the call’s in this game. NFL really needs to adjust the roughing the girl, I mean QB calls. Thankfully the Bucs got one at the end there.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:36 pm
It was always going to be a survival game. Get used to it. The Falcons are back and are the Bucs major rivals for the next few years.
It was sloppy, and full of Buc luck. The Bucs have seen three FG attempts doink off the Uprights twice by the Bucs…doink wide…once by the Commanders doink through. So it was justice when the Falcons kick went wide.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:36 pm
Please, someone tell me the last time Jamel Dean had a productive play. Such a disappointment.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:36 pm
Same old same old, why did they not run a play when Raheem was thinking about throwing the challenge flag, then it wouldn’t have mattered, whether taz was out of bounds, bowles is not the man we need, and gizzards layed an egg, thanks emeka
September 7th, 2025 at 4:36 pm
McLaughlin better get his act together.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:37 pm
Need to clean things up and they will be better.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:37 pm
Saints and Panthers lose too, good day.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:38 pm
Winfield might’ve saved that game for us knocking the ball out. He doesn’t stop that td and it’s must likely a completely different ending
September 7th, 2025 at 4:38 pm
Parrish had a GREAT GAME!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:38 pm
glad almost ints only count on social media Baker with 3 big tds
September 7th, 2025 at 4:39 pm
Even Baker said it was a horrible sloppy game. He knows lots of things need to be cleaned up . 1st half,Bucs were asleep.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:40 pm
Man, Coens game calling debut seemed so much better than Grizzard. Hopefully he improves. Atlanta seemed to be harder to beat than they should be. Pennix is good and carved up a Bowles passing defense with almost no real QB pressure. No surprise. The Offense looked crazy out of sync. That pass on the last drive tho…it’s like when you hit one good golf shot in an entire round. That was beautiful.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:40 pm
Sloppy win. Too many penalties and bad tackling.
Good:
Egbuka – he’s special
Vea – played well
Bad:
Baker – missed many throws
Otto – clueless
Dean – brutal
Dennis – how do you let Penix dive for that first down?
Zyon – catch the friggen ball
Grizzard – playcalling was suspect
Terrible:
Chase McGlaughlin – brutal
September 7th, 2025 at 4:41 pm
Rust never sleeps. Looked more than surface deep, today.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:41 pm
Not pretty but we’re up in the South by 2 games already. Emeka is that man! Can’t wait for Godwin and Wirfs to get back.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:41 pm
We get Wirfs, Godwin and McMillan back, should be hard to beat.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:42 pm
Egbuka – first rookie for the Bucs to catch 2 TDs in NFL debut.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:42 pm
Bad start poor play call on both sides but they got some what better as the game went on..if it went overtime I felt baker was trajectory up and penix was struggling
September 7th, 2025 at 4:42 pm
Massive divisional road win today, Bredren! Go Bucs!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:42 pm
Egbuka is the man. 2 TDs in his first game.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:42 pm
Typical division game for everyone who’s hasn’t been paying attention
September 7th, 2025 at 4:42 pm
Well take it, 1-0 in the division on the road against a team who swept us last year.
Team banged up. New play caller. Winfield showed up when it counted! Catch the ball Zyon!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:43 pm
cant fix your defense when your HC is stubborn and loves to have players do jobs theyre not used to doing
September 7th, 2025 at 4:43 pm
Ugly as it may have been, a win is a win and we figured out how to get the W. We would definitely have found a way to lose that game on defense last year
September 7th, 2025 at 4:43 pm
After the first Atlanta drive, defense played like we need them to. Hats off to them.
Griz playcalling not great. Baker off his game until we needed him!
Zebras against us all the way. Maybe Todd really has turned a corner and tightened it up. Hard fought win, we’ve lost these games under Todd. Well done.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:43 pm
Our D did something right today – check out this quote:
“We have to find a way to run the football better, especially with our two backs.” Raheem Morris on the Falcons run game, which averaged 2.5 yards per carry today.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:43 pm
And THAT’S WHY Baker Mayfield is Our Guy. The ABSOLUTELY LOUSY SECONDARY PLAY, AGAIN, AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN, YEAR AFTER SEEMINGLY DEFENSIVELY HOPELESSNESS IS Also Exactly WHY TODD BOWLES SHOULD NOT BE OUR HEAD COACH ANY LONGER.
The Rossey Colored Glasses, Grass Smoking Toad Bafoon guys might as well JUST SHUT UP! DO NOT WAIST EVERYBODY’S TIME TELLING US HOW GREAT AT COACHING SHE IS! The “LOSERS” in the secondary ARE TOAD’S HAND PICK FAVORITES…. GREAT JOB TRAINING THEM TOAD!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:43 pm
I don’t care about the almost ints or if he would have thrown 5 picks when the game was on the line Baker Mayfield came through we have to call it like we see it. And I I’m abjected to Baker Mayfield has well but that’s what I want to see from him cluch. I don’t care about stats I rather a cluch quarterback than a stat guy. Good job Baker Mayfield you can’t criticize him for this game at all !!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:43 pm
All right Bucs!! Mayfield to Ebuka ,Joe remember the combination, Bucs Defense with one of the guttier goal line stands.guts & resilience there. Ebuka, how many fans think drafting him was a mistake now? (Damn Kickers) Mac the kicker we forgive you but hope he got it out of his system. Anyways THE BUCS WIN!!!!! ITS more fun to beat the dirty birds or the stinking ants for sure. BUCS WIN!! BUCS WIN!!!!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:44 pm
Bucman Says
“Who was the genus who called a time out to allow a video assist that resulted in a catch being ruled as incomplete????”
If you are talking about the near Falcons TD on 4th down, no one called a timeout. It was a change of possession…and they are always reviewed.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:44 pm
The Refs really tried to make Atl win this game. Lots of pass interference not called on ATL secondary and hands to the face by their D line. Nothing called ….
September 7th, 2025 at 4:44 pm
Bucky took a beating!
Falcons had his number, should have given bigger RB’s more carries
September 7th, 2025 at 4:45 pm
next time theyll run Cousins out against us
September 7th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
It’s the start we needed. We won and really that’s all that matters. I’ll take the W.
Go Bucs
September 7th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
A win is a win but Bowles and compare going to have to sit down and review the tape.
1. Dennis was a liability. Maybe have Jones in on longer downs or obvious passing downs.
2. Pass rush- Kancey Reddick Ya Ya we’re almost completely kept off the stat sheet despite Falcons starting 3rd string Blind side tackle.
3. O line- Baker had no time and run game looked bad. Why did we rearrange the line before this game? Next week is a tougher pass rush. Would have get 4 of 5 guys intact and try Heck at LT and only try something else if that wasn’t working. Heck is a good run blocker too
4. Play call on offense. Not enough use of backs in screen and pass game.
Was there a completed pass to a tight end?
Positives:
1. Return game looked good
2. Baker shook off rust and made the throws when he needed to.
3. Egbuka is the real deal and Licht was right to pick him.
4. Run defense still stout. Robinson and Algier are a great tandem and they had no room to run
We need Wirfs back ASAP as the whole offense revolves around him.
We need defensive backfield to play closer to line of scrimmage and press more. When Dean did play tight he did well.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
Brutal, clumsy game. Win that feels like a loss. But always could be worse. I actually liked the move with the offensive line. We’ll see what happens next week.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
FWIW, we miss Wirfs.
Penix might be a problem going forward.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
Bucs Win!!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
Baker was obviously rusty; those two missed throws in a row showed that. He kept his composure though and made up for it. It was ugly, but it was a win!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:47 pm
Two observations.
#1 Play your starters in preseason. Guys get injured in practice too. If it’s a bad weather or bad field hold them out but otherwise they need to play.
#2. Parrish is our best cover and probably best run support CB. He needs to be on the field for 100% of snaps. When Morrison is healthy he can play nickel and Dean can just go away.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:47 pm
Oneil- nice, man. I’m also giving some flowers to Todd and the Bucs D. Not perfect but way better than last season. The refs were like two extra players for the Fowlclowns. Let’s go Bucs.
First place in NFC South
September 7th, 2025 at 4:47 pm
I picked us to lose and the bucs were better than I thought they’d be.
Reddick is definitely better than jts.
Edge rush is more important than I thought.
I didnt like
Baker downfield
The nfl makes tgese games torture by having you check after each play to see what the refs call, which looks arbitrary to me
Dropped interceptions
Kicker
Im not sold on Dennis.
But we have more talent than I thought or atlanta doesn’t very much talent, game should have been 42 17 bucs
September 7th, 2025 at 4:47 pm
The defense really gave up way too many yards. Some sloppy tackling.
Grizzard wil be fine. It was his first game and Cohen had several years as an OC in the NFL and College.
The Atlanta left tackle, I think number 70, moved early on almost every play especially on their last couple drives and was not called once.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:47 pm
I give Grizz a D-/F Grade for his playcalling in his 1st game.
Our offense did not look good at all.
We need to THROW the ball on 1st downs, not run it.
Too predictable.
Check our stats from last year. We were mainly successful on the ground we threw on 2st downs most of the time.
💯
September 7th, 2025 at 4:47 pm
And…What’s going on with the kicker. Yikes.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:48 pm
Wow’ !!!! I took of my Bucs gear to get some good luck before the rookie caught the touchdown. I’m in from of 70 tv maker🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣running around in my condo in Hawai’i wow just wow . We are not close to being full strength. We blew
Atlanta out the stadium. We good ‘ya’ll
September 7th, 2025 at 4:48 pm
This is what happens when most of the starters don’t play in preseason.
Week 1 & 2 is when the rust gets knocked off. Damn near cost us the game.
Jason Licht – Nico Gramatica, just not in the 1st or 2nd rounds OK?
I expected more out of the pass rush. Our secondary missed way too many tackles. Ebuka, two TD’s in his 1st game? Nice.
Way too sloppy. Better teams will destroy us if we keep playing like that.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:48 pm
That was ugly, the only thing we did well was stop the run, pretty much everything else was hard to watch. I’m sure talking heads might praise Baker tomorrow for his 3TDs but even as a big Baker fan myself, he could have easily had 3INTs this game and does not deserve the credit he will likely get for this game.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:48 pm
Onei keepin it real 👍🏽
September 7th, 2025 at 4:49 pm
I do not comment a lot but I swear Tampa Bay has some of the least educated fans in the league. There is no nuance, you all couldn’t even run a legit Madden team but you all know best???? Come on man, overall this team barely played in the preseason, of course it’s going to be rough but we still got the win. If Mayfield and Otten were on the same page that’s a TD and the kicker left 4 points on the board. Quit whining and be happy with the win.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:49 pm
Bowles has No Business running the defensive department of this team any longer..
After so many years of undeniable proof that he no longer has what it takes and IS NEGLIGENT IN HIS HEAD COACHING DUTIES by NOT DOING the RIGHT THING for this team VIA HIRING a FULL TIME DEFENSIVE COACH TO TAKE OVER THE POSITION.
Todd Bowles IS NOT QUALIFIED!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:49 pm
Let Grizzard call from the booth !
September 7th, 2025 at 4:50 pm
Obvious One is another fan who has no idea what they are talking about 🙄🙄🙄
September 7th, 2025 at 4:50 pm
Sorry y’all I’m drunk 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🤣🤣🤣🤣👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾
September 7th, 2025 at 4:50 pm
Typo.
If we throw on 1st downs, we will be effective on the ground and in the air.
If we run on every 1st down, our offense and ground game is going to suck this year.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:50 pm
Neither team looked well coached or sharp. Most impressive performances for Bucs was their outstanding defense holding Robinson under 40 yards rushing. On offense Ebuka was money and Evans was good enough to make some key catches.
Mayfield was neither accurate or wasn’t on the same page as his receivers. He got away with a couple of throws and overthrew frequently. The Bucs defense was going against a pocket passer who doesn’t get rid of the ball quickly. That pass rush wasn’t very good other than a great rush by Vea that was called a penalty, it wasn’t a good call.
Ebuka is a different receiver than Godwin. He has a longer reach and is naturally a stronger player at a young age. So poised for a rookie.
Atlanta has better defense than last year. Their offense got many yards due to penalties. Bucs have to do a better job on their front line, they need more hits on QB as well as tackling better so guys aren’t getting all those yards after catch.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:51 pm
Another typical Bowles gameCome out flat and barely good enough to win vs. a lesser team.
We already know how this season goes, its been on repeat for 3 years prior.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:51 pm
Daryl Green you’re supposed to be drunk!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:52 pm
Are you kidding me? Baker lead the team to a victory, but you’re going to take the glass half empty perspective?
That’s really pathetic!
It was a thrilling win and the kind of game the Bucs used to lose all the time in years past.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:53 pm
If you’re rusty and throw 3 tds I’ll take that every Sunday! O line was revamped and held up rather well. So far so good!!
Barton playing LT, and Bredeson at center …who saw that happening? So far so good. Get through the first four or five games with some more wins and all will be good.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:54 pm
crazy game……i guess it’s still preseason
September 7th, 2025 at 4:54 pm
Over/Under on Godwin trade when he’s healthy?
September 7th, 2025 at 4:55 pm
Victory Monday tomorrow to start the week. Thank you EE with 2 TDs wow!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:55 pm
how fast did that first round pick pay off? i like baker winning last minute games like tom brady and then the dbs saved the tepid pass rush and the game… so all the draft picks competition and performance won the game in the end. the breaks and penalties evened out in the end, be happy all y’all!! celebrate!! props to jason licht!!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:55 pm
Aqualung. That’s what I want to see from Baker in the playoffs also but this was good. I’m not letting no one talk bad about Baker Mayfield in this game he was clutch. Todd Bowles did ok to me but it was to many miss sacks with 4 rushing. Baker was the main reason why we won this game and that’s a fact. The refs did everything they could to give the falcons the game!! I will be at the game next week let’s go bucs!!
September 7th, 2025 at 4:55 pm
TheBucsAnthem Says:
“Baker almost blew the game!”
Look at you trying to stir things up, lol.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:56 pm
First game if the season…not sure what was worse the officiating or rthe
Cheerleading of the commentators …..lots of opportunities for improvement, as a charter bucs fan I have suffered thru dozens of buc losses on the last play of tge game, nice to see the other team choke for a change…
September 7th, 2025 at 4:57 pm
Egbuka lived up to the hype and expectations for sure. no mistakes 2 tds what more can you expect from a guy in his first reg season game. the bucs seemed to use mike to draw cover and they took advantage of it to feed the kid. otherwise i guess the o-line shenanigans messed up the running game? waiting to hear what that was all about
September 7th, 2025 at 4:58 pm
So, given the practice rules and all, this was the first real playing play of the year for most of the starters. I expected them to have to shake off the rust.
Word that the OL was adjusted before the game sent up a bunch of red flags. Wonder what news we’ll hear on that later.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:59 pm
I could swear Penix dropped the ball on one play, and it bounced up into his hands. One of the Bucs thought the same.
September 7th, 2025 at 4:59 pm
Bredeson had zero bad snaps today. One bobble when Baker was under center but no negative plays from a bad snap. That was a positive.
Sheppard didn’t have any over energetic penalties and make some nice catches. That was a positive.
While Baker was under pressure, only took one sack. Positive.
Much to work on, but 1-0 starting on the road against a division foe. Positive
September 7th, 2025 at 5:01 pm
Firethecannons
I thought Dean played just like Dean. He really doesn’t seem interested. He’s the spectator of NFL cornerbacks.
The run game was sad, and White had what ? 2 carries. Not good. Grizzard gonna have to get better.. fast. I assume the last minute reconstruction of the OL is a factor and must be explained.
September 7th, 2025 at 5:02 pm
Man, we pulled it out in enemy territory. Give the Falcons credit, they were tough. But Bake was tougher. He cme thru in the end for us. Can’t say much here because I had 4 shots of Tequilla during those last 3 or 4 minutes. What a game. Onward to the Texans Baby!!!
September 7th, 2025 at 5:02 pm
Bucs alumni report…
Jags offense looks good, like a discount dollar store version of the Bucs last year. Man I hope we don’t end up missing Coen more than anyone else.
Devin White lead the Raiders (GM from the Bucs) defense to a win with 11 tackles, 8 solo and a tackle for loss. Man, his speed on this Bucs defense…
September 7th, 2025 at 5:03 pm
Has anyone seen chris braswell…anyone have a link on the icing the kicker moment ??
September 7th, 2025 at 5:07 pm
Game Ball goes to:
Younghoe Koo
Bucs offense had to warm up but played solid…
Defense still leaving receivers wide open..
September 7th, 2025 at 5:08 pm
Too much refs and kickers for my tastes! Dennis started rough but played better later. Need better from Kancey and Diaby.
September 7th, 2025 at 5:09 pm
I am hoping no one came out of this with injuries to keep them from playing. Bucs need all hands on deck
September 7th, 2025 at 5:12 pm
MASSIVE amount of credit to Antoine Winfield JR. Who LITERALLY made a game saving PD at the end there.
Jamel Dean basically allowed a walk-in touchdown and Winfield completely bailed out the whole team. That was maybe one of the biggest plays of the whole game
September 7th, 2025 at 5:13 pm
What’s this business of the refs reversing a call AFTER the next play is completed?
That’ just plain BLATANT!
September 7th, 2025 at 5:16 pm
ARE KICKER NEEDS TO GET HIS CRAP TOGATHER. 2 MISSIS ,UNLIKE HIM.
September 7th, 2025 at 5:18 pm
It seemed that the football Gods had gifted this one to the Falcons. Every close call seemed to go against the Bucs, a field goal by Atlanta hits the upright and somehow goes in, our own steady kicker misses a field goal and an extra point and untimely penalties mainly on the defense seemed to indicate we were going to be on the losing end. However, somehow the Bucs did just enough to win the game.
September 7th, 2025 at 5:18 pm
Whew!
When all is said and done, that was a very satisfying win. Especially when the other two NFC South teams lost. A few things to think about:
1. Baker was playing behind a makeshift line – and it showed it. Don’t know how long they practiced with it, but they played better as the game went on. None of the media saw this coming. Nor did the Falcons coaching staff. If WIrfs is out for an extended period, then Barton is the right guy for LT.
2. Our new OC seemed shakey to start, but got better as the game went on.
3. Bad mouth Reddick if you will, but if he gets one sack a game like this one he would have 17 for the season.
4. The Falcons’ OL looked pretty darned good. Plus, they were playing in their own stadium. The crowd gets quiet when they are on offense. Not so much for us!
5.Hate Dean if you will, but he stopped one TD pass in the end zone. Then another.
6. Mclaughlin was uncharacteristically shaky, but he has a new holder in Riley Dixon. On the missed field goal the laces were sideways and not out. FOX did not show the holder on the extra point. That will get fixed this week. He never had that problem in Denver.
7. Younghoe Kee came through in the end. Just like he has before!
8. When there is less than a minute left, I wouldn’t want anyone but Baker as QB. Just like with Brady in the past. Or Elway. The FOX announcers today felt the same way.
9. Yeah, it was close today. But most of them are – that’s what the NFL likes…!
On to the Texans! Go Bucs!
September 7th, 2025 at 5:19 pm
Why are we shuffling the line with 3 new positions. Stupid. Play calling stupid. Bucs defense and execution stupid. Fg misses. Stupid.
This team got jobbed by refs
September 7th, 2025 at 5:23 pm
Wheeew! Big win! Alone in first place boyz!
September 7th, 2025 at 5:25 pm
Oneil bring home the bacon baby! Room for improvement as you note, but mostly the DBs were lined up on top of the LOS rather than 10 deep. We lose this game last year. We did actually, a number of times. Gritty grimey wins with heroic goal line stands from the D playing against the refs and Atlanta, and Baker scrambling and connecting with Emeka and Mikey. Very promising. Have fun next week!
September 7th, 2025 at 5:27 pm
You get nothing for style points in this league. Buccaneers deserved to win after that goal line stand. Great run defense all game. I was plan was to play good run defense and let Penix beat them if you was good enough, which he was not. Even with a weak coach, Atlanta will win a lot of games this year. The offensive line was shuffled with the right card playing center in the center playing left tackle. That hurt the run game. Almost only counts in horseshoes. Baker made the plays when he had to. The guy is Bobby Lane in 2025.
September 7th, 2025 at 5:34 pm
Bucs Win! Bucs Win! Bucs Win!
September 7th, 2025 at 5:43 pm
We sure could have used micha parsons
September 7th, 2025 at 5:46 pm
Aqualung. I know bro we can improve and I’m going to have a great time watching my bucs win .
September 7th, 2025 at 5:47 pm
RVATom wrote – “Man, Coens game calling debut seemed so much better than Grizzard.”
Canales first game against the Vikings – Bucs score 20 points
Coen first game against the Commanders – Bucs score 20 points
Grizzard first game against the Falcons – Bucs score 23 points (and should have been 27 without the misses by the kicker).
September 7th, 2025 at 5:50 pm
Scotty Mack – The Bucs scored 37 in Coens debut.
September 7th, 2025 at 5:52 pm
Pretty sure the Bucks scored 37 against the commanders last year
September 7th, 2025 at 5:57 pm
Proud of my team with better kicking we beat them 27-20
Either way let’s go Bucs great game !!!
September 7th, 2025 at 6:08 pm
Oops, you are both right. They scored 20 in game 2 against the Lions and only 7 in game 3 against the Broncos.
September 7th, 2025 at 6:10 pm
Of course, Coen had a full offense to work with – Evans, Godwin, McMillan, Wirfs. Certainly not an O-line that was thrown together sometime in the middle of the week for the first time.
September 7th, 2025 at 6:16 pm
That time out call by Bowles in the second quarter was inexcusable. It was obviously going to be a close call and the zebra said it was complete. Then Bowles called the timeout when he should of hurried up and snapped the ball. He gave Rah Rah enough time to look up at the big screen and decide to throw the red flag. You have to have better situational awareness in that situation. The defense gave up a lot of yards. Reddick was going up against a 3rd string tackle and did just okay I know they were chipping him but we have got to get more pressure. The dirty birds first TD was a direct reflection of pushing interceptions so hard in training camp. The DB went for the pick and got burned big time.That is more poor
Situational awareness . I’m all for getting turnovers but make sure you have safety help behind you before you try it. All in all it was a sloppy game BUT the Bucs did just enough when it counted the most to get the win. There is an old saying “good teams overcome bad calls and this game had a few of them as well as some no calls Bucs overcame it a got the W . That first round pick just paid big dividends. Egbuka should be player of the game. Good work fellas . Go get’em next week. Take a day off and get back to work
As always Go Bucs!!
September 7th, 2025 at 6:33 pm
Noclu4u Says:
September 7th, 2025 at 6:16 pm
That time out call by Bowles in the second quarter was inexcusable. It was obviously going to be a close call and the zebra said it was complete. Then Bowles called the timeout when he should of hurried up and snapped the ball.
———
When did Bowles start calling the plays on offense?
September 7th, 2025 at 6:42 pm
Great but sloppy win 💪🏼🏈
@Obvious One
Calm down bro, everything is going to be ok 😠🤣
September 7th, 2025 at 7:30 pm
@TombsEN..
I just so curious. Really am concerning how brilliant you are… You must not have watched the game.
Hey, I’m just as excited as everyone else about the win but I’m not blind. The SECONDARY, there you whoever you are “mutt”, the SECONDARY IS “Bowles baby”. HE Trains them. Are you able to follow so far? They Are STILL the WORST PART OF THE ENTIRE TEAM! And they All played Very Badly!
Yes, Winfield SAVED the game for “one play”. The rest of his game? Ahhhh.. not so much… Dean Also saved the game. But for the most part he sucked! But Was Able to get the stop at the last moment. He actually looked like a football player in “that” moment. For the rest of the game…. NOT SO MUCH.
Izen….. That dude has Rocks for hands Covered In Butter! Not to many shiny moments for him either. SO MUCH FOR BALL HAWKS!
The SECONDARY SUCKED TODAY IN ALL, ALL DAY! A handful of plays was the best they were capable of and the ONLY REASON there isn’t a major Up Roar For the Garbage play is because at the end, we got lucky and won. Thank God. But that’s IT! If we lost, which we seem to be Begging to do, the poor fan that got hit wouldn’t be Blowing Smoke like you.
The D line Did Well for the most part. That was the “feel good” part of the D “When” they were able to rush the passer that is but Nobody can say they didn’t Impress Overall with the SHUT DOWN of the falcons run game as well as the goal line stands and decent amount of 3rd down stands. A LOT of work left to do there but in all they looked Very Promising.
That position ( the D line) is taught by a different coach. The defensive calls over all were no better than fair. The middle of the field didn’t impress very much either.
Now then.. If MY TEAM had an Actual FULL TIME DEFENSIVE COACH whom doesn’t have to split his attentions All Over the Team then I’M QUITE SURE that We’d Have FAR BETTER RESULTS FROM THE DEFENSE AS A WHOLE… NO DOUBT ABOUT IT
Now then Putts, why don’t you tell me what this fan missed, genius… In All, the Secondary was Lousy. The middle of the field CERTAINLY wasn’t much better. So break it down for me.
I’m giving you a shot to explain to me what YOU THINK YOU KNOW HONEY. You’re such a great fan and can see what I don’t so I’M LISTENING PUTTS!
September 7th, 2025 at 7:40 pm
Defensive line played hard, but they couldn’t beat the ATL O line in one on one matchups. They need to get better. SVD doesn’t deserve the hype. He had a few good plays but has trouble tackling. Secondary should have had two Int’s. They were up and down today. Entire defense needs to improve.
September 7th, 2025 at 9:36 pm
Ugly win but a win. I thought it was dumb to have Baker knock off rust in a tough divisional road game, but I was correct. They keep talking about how Koo and other Falcons blew it, but the Bucs had the same amount of kids who tried to blow it, too. We need to get our heads on straight while counting our blessings for this day.
September 7th, 2025 at 11:58 pm
I kinda wish the Bucs would have lost this one because they really didn’t deserve to win today. It would have done more to light a fire to lose than to squeak one out like this. Also they are going to lose some games and I would rather see a loss now than mid season
September 8th, 2025 at 6:01 am
Did anyone get closer to predicting this game than Lee?