More Bucs Hype … And Falcons Hype
September 2nd, 2025
How good is this Falcons team the Bucs will play Sunday in the raucous Atlanta dome?
Joe sees a team with a questionable head coach, a questionable defense and a question mark at quarterback.
Still, Atlanta has beaten the Bucs in three of their past four meetings. Every game was a one-score game.
More and more in the past week, Joe sees respected analysts prediciting the Falcons to have a winning record. The seasoned staff writers of TheAthletic.com have called Bucs winning the NFC South at 10 wins and Atlanta checking in with nine wins. This was based on a combined vote of NFL scribes.
Pat Kirwan, the former Jets linebackers coach and personnel chief, called another division title for the Bucs with an 11-6 record this season via his SiriusXM NFL Radio show yesterday. He’s also got Atlanta finishing 10-7 and securing a Wild Card berth.
“I worry about Tristan Wirfs out for maybe an indefinite period of time here,” Kirwan said. “Anyone with big pass rush on that side could have a field day over there banging Baker [Mayfield] around. But I do like this football team and they play for their coach.”
Simply stated, Kirwan thinks Wirfs fill-in Charlie Heck stinks.
Joe also has seen other analysts putting the Falcons on 9 or 10 wins.
That got Joe feeling queasy. If one actually buys Atlanta winning 9 or 10 games, then wouldn’t logic say the Falcons are very likely to split the season series with Tampa Bay? With their win coming Sunday in Atlanta?
Flash poll posted at 10:09 a.m. Poll closed at 12:01 p.m. The last Todd Bowles Confidence Poll was in mid-January.
September 2nd, 2025 at 10:16 am
Joe, I keep telling you that Atl. could be really good!!!. Don’t underestimate them.
Penix appears to be the real deal, not buying the oh he is a rookie hype. They have a good running game, the o line is good. If that defense plays, watch out. Please don’t be surprized to see the Bucs lose the opening game. The Bucs are on the road and Atl is going to come out swinging!!. The Bucs are starting off with, Godwin , J Mac and Wirfs all out. They have issues in the sec ondary with players out. Not a great way to start the season!!. I think they will be good as the season goes, but the beginning could be shaky. I would not be surprized to see them 0 and 2 before their first home game.
Joe, a season split with Atl. appears likely to me at this juncture
September 2nd, 2025 at 10:25 am
Not concerned completely about Penix. He is very inaccurate. Not sure if he has cleaned that up. Reminds me of Jameis with his accuracy and decisions. I am concerned about Charlie Heck matching up against James Pearce. James Pearce is the real deal.
September 2nd, 2025 at 10:26 am
In my opinion, this is a must win game for the Buc’s. They should be pissed about how last season’s games went and be fired up to make amends. If Atlanta is their only real competition in this division then a loss is unacceptable.
Todd Bowles won a big first game on the road against Detroit last year. A win this Sunday against Atlanta would give them the season edge a have Atlanta playing catch up early in the season. LFG!
September 2nd, 2025 at 10:27 am
If Heck is serviceable, I am very confident in the Bucs this Sunday. The Falcons might have the worst starting OT in the NFL this Sunday. They lost their swing tackle for the next 6 weeks and their starter is out for the year.
September 2nd, 2025 at 10:29 am
I don’t see the Falcons being that good, I’m thinking 7 wins
September 2nd, 2025 at 10:32 am
Imagine if Penix were here what our fans would be saying. He didn’t play a single play in the preseason. His passing percentage last year was 58 per cent and he threw an interception in each game against three bad defenses. Atlanta’s right tackle who is the main protector is out for the season. His backup is out as well.
Division home underdogs historically do well in game 1 winning nearly 50 per cent outright.
September 2nd, 2025 at 10:34 am
Atlanta’s head coach is quesrionable…
Perfect take, Joe!
September 2nd, 2025 at 10:42 am
Penix had 7 one score victories in 2023 and played well even with the Michigan Buzz Saw he ran into in the National Championship. Played in a lot of Big Games on that level.
If the Falcons Defense has improved it’s going to be a close one and could go either way. Bucs being favored by 1.5 on the road is being favored by 4.5
September 2nd, 2025 at 10:42 am
I concur infomeplease. The Bucs should be pissed what Atlanta did to them last year. You don’t forget that crap as a player. Pound Penix into the ground! Go Bucs!
September 2nd, 2025 at 10:43 am
i’m banking on a much improved defense for the bucs between reddick, voz and an improved secondary forcing them to punt more and turnover the ball once or twice, on offense looking for bucky me13 and EE producing, as for missing wirfs keep 2 te’s in the game to give heck help, either a solid win as the bucs harass penix or a close game at the end of the fourth, will the bucs defense get off the field then put tucker or williams to close out the game boom!
September 2nd, 2025 at 10:44 am
Falcons lost starting RT McGary(Penix blind side) and his backup Storm Norton so Falcons are starting 30 year old vet Elijah Wilkinson who toiled in Arizona last season ranking 134/140 at PFF in pass pro situations.
So I would say the lost offensive tackles comparison between the two teams may actually lean Buccaneers favor. Bucs are due to beat Atlanta and they will. Houston will be a much tougher test.
September 2nd, 2025 at 10:52 am
Some guys are delusional when it comes to Penix. Comparing him to Winston is crazy work. No way near his comp. You’re in for a rude awakening come Sunday. Bad qb play won’t bail you out this year in regards to winning the south. And give Bowles a break. All he’s done for that organization is win the division each year with one SB win (As a Def Coordinator). We got a long way to go bf crowning this years champ. Both team are legit playoff contenders. Giving the edge to the Bucs due to experience. Don’t sleep on Penix and the world will get to know JPP this weekend. The boy is a home wrecker on that line of scrimmage.
September 2nd, 2025 at 10:59 am
Vengeance shall be mine.
September 2nd, 2025 at 11:00 am
@Buddha
You got to do more than regurgitate what you hear these content creator repeat in their take. You failed to mention he had 7 legit dropped balls, not to mention the throw always to avoid sacks. Two of those interceptions hit the receivers (Pitts against NYG and Ray Ray against Carolina). The third pick against Washington was an option route. The receiver running the route was a practice squad player. Can’t just be a stat analyst bro. Know the story behind the numbers.
Also, Tampa is bang up too. Two of their top 3 receivers, their own pro bowl tackle, starting tight end and I’m missing someone else I 🤔.
One thing for sure, we’ll find out who Penix is on Sunday. You’re in for an awakening bc he’s extremely legit. The fastest ball on the game. Plus he’s extremely accurate in explosive plays.
September 2nd, 2025 at 11:04 am
@buc4L
They should be pissed for last year and the year before that. Three out four games now. Nevertheless, the Bucs is still the Champs. Can’t take that from them. Trust me when I say, Penix is night and day better than Kirk. You’ll see come Sunday. Respect
September 2nd, 2025 at 11:16 am
Falcons might be good but they could also be terrible. Nobody really knows how Penix will work in the NFL. Falcons are predicted to win 6-8 games based on multiple betting sites.
September 2nd, 2025 at 11:20 am
Go deep, early and often. Then run some screens to Bucky and the backfield TD Squad. White is still out, right? Close it out in the fourth with #44 hammering their DBs and come home with the win.
September 2nd, 2025 at 11:24 am
Atlanta will probably have a good record at Thanksgiving then they’ll fold in December and January like they always do.
September 2nd, 2025 at 11:36 am
BA’s Red Pen
A classical trait of a Raheem led team.
September 2nd, 2025 at 11:51 am
I got the Falcons +3. Easy money, they’ll win outright.
September 2nd, 2025 at 12:00 pm
I’m all in with Michael Penix Jr,
He was a great QB at Tampa Bay Tech
And he was great at University of Indiana
And he was greater at University of Washington
I’m a Buc fan,
But I’m still supporting Michael Penix Jr
He will definitely have a good game against the Bucs
September 2nd, 2025 at 12:03 pm
Heck won’t play LT. Barton will….
September 2nd, 2025 at 12:14 pm
Heck will be fine. If not, they will get him help.
September 2nd, 2025 at 12:20 pm
I could never understand what drives fans of other teams to seek out this board and then run down the Bucs chances of winning. In this case, it seems as if the poster is trying to pump up his expectations of Michael Penix.
The track record of Penix in the NFL so far has been what you would expect for a 1st year QB. If he improves, well OK everything you say may be true. I just would not say “He was great in college so he will be great in the NFL.” History is littered with QB’s that flamed out in the Big Show. Jamis Winston, anyone?
Based on last year he has a long way to go…
September 2nd, 2025 at 12:38 pm
I’m not gonna stop wishing Penix the best, because he’s playing against the Bucs. I know what he went through, with the injuries. And he overcame all of them. He’s a good guy, and he’s a good QB.
He’s gonna be a good NFL QB
The Falcons did right by drafting him
And l give a D, about which site I’m on
It is what it is, honestly is the best policy
And I’m being honest about Penix
He’s a good Homegrown talented QB
And l support homegrown talent from Central Florida
September 2nd, 2025 at 12:47 pm
@lakelandbuc since it sounds like you have followed Penix, has he always had that odd throwing motion or did that develop after he injured that shoulder? I saw that he never had surgery on that shoulder, I wonder if that shoulder ever healed correctly.
September 2nd, 2025 at 12:51 pm
I have no idea what to expect Sunday. A lot of question marks for the Bucs: Missing Wirfs, McMillen, Godwin and probably Otten. We have a new OC who has never called plays before at any level. Defensively, we’re banking on Reddick who hasn’t played worth a damn in nearly 2 years and Dennis who is never healthy and hasn’t proved himself yet to be a viable starter. We are also very thin at linebacker (both inside and outside) and safety. I could see us going anywhere from 12-5 to 7-10.
September 2nd, 2025 at 12:54 pm
He always has had that odd throwing motion. His biggest problem in college, was the torn Right ACL. He threw a ton of passes at Washington U. I don’t believe he have an issue with his shoulder. But his shoulder problems did end his career twice at Indiana U
September 2nd, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Rah is a clown at HC but he beats our double deployed part timer like a rented mule, so what’s that say about our guy?
September 2nd, 2025 at 1:19 pm
I had ATL going to the playoffs initially, before the O-Line injuries. It’s made me start to rethink, especially since my ‘biggest’ concern for them to begin WTH, was Penix’s ability to make it through an entire season fully healthy. I’m going to have to make my final ‘official’ 2025 season predictions soon, and I’m leaning towards putting them in. One thing that has really surprised me though, for the past few weeks, is all of the optimism in San Fan this season. There are LOTS of ‘questions’ there, and that division is starting to look pretty tough now, and VERY hard to predict. It looks wide-open to me. Seems like a good year to bet AGAINST THEM.
September 2nd, 2025 at 1:43 pm
@“LakelandBuc” – I think “jcscycles” was talking about the dude in Georgia, right before your comment. Did you know that “Ray Ray” was also a former TAMPA HS Star… Sickles HS. He won Tampa Bay Athlete of the Year, or whatever that award was that the old Brighthouse Baynews9 HS Sports Channel use to give out!!!! They did a big story and interview with him at his school, & etc. That was the first-time I’d ever heard of him, and followed him throughout his career to Clemson. I’m pretty sure I remember them doing one with the “Big-Penix,” too! I really HATE-IT so bad that Spectrum did not continue with that GREAT local channel. I always, felt SO LUCKY to have that. I would DVR the Tampa Friday Night Game of the Week, then the Orlando one on Saturday, until I realized that I also got the Orlando Area channel, too!!!! I really miss teeing able to watch all of those games (basketball too, OMG, it was so awesome), including ALL of the ‘state championship games’ in EVERY SPORT. I was SOOOO PISSED at Spectrum and still am today, over that. GOTTA get that channel BACK. They did SUCH a great job with it!!!!
September 2nd, 2025 at 2:43 pm
Bucs all day.
September 2nd, 2025 at 3:57 pm
Bucs are a 9-10 win team at best. Atlanta is, too. Atlanta’s pass rush will be dominant.
September 2nd, 2025 at 4:37 pm
“If one actually buys Atlanta winning 9 or 10 games, then wouldn’t logic say the Falcons are very likely to split the season series with Tampa Bay? With their win coming Sunday in Atlanta?”
———
The Bucs aren’t ever winning a Thursday night game vs the Falcons, it will just never happen, ever – so the Bucs have to win this opening game to get a split. If they lose this, they’re getting swept again.
But with the Falcons defense having a lot of young guys, the Bucs offense should be able to take advantage of that in week 1 and I think they’ll get the W. But that 2nd game, I’ve already written an L in ink, not pencil.
September 2nd, 2025 at 5:17 pm
we won 10 last year and this year we are better wiht an easier schedule
even if the start is bumpy another late season run should happen
September 2nd, 2025 at 5:20 pm
It’s bc that what makes this website thrive. You’re not a legit message board until people who support rival team drop a few lines. Instead of being irritated, you may learn something. Come this Sunday, you’re going to see what most already know. Penix is super elite and was an absolute steal at eight. Both teams are going to put up some points. I respect the hell out the Bucs. Won’t hear me say anything bad about that team. Baker was a steal for Tampa a few years ago. Definitely a too 4-8 passer in the league.