Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Falcons
September 7th, 2025
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
What a way to kick off your 50th season.
When I used the word “bizarre” to describe the final moments of Sunday’s jittery 23-20 victory in Atlanta, Todd Bowles didn’t disagree.
There was a whirlpool of emotions as officials kept ruling in favor of the home team when the Falcons drove 91 yards for the go-ahead score, taking nearly nine minutes off the clock.
Still, Baker Mayfield had enough time to deliver the game-winning march, capped by a 25-yard TD strike to stud rookie Emeka Egbuka with only 59 seconds remaining. Tampa Bay’s celebration became muted when normally reliable kicker Chase McLaughlin, who had missed a 44-yard FG try earlier, went wide left on the extra point.
Now the Falcons needed only a FG to send the game to overtime, but Younghoe Koe misfired from 44 yards out to seal a wild victory that included an offensive line shakeup by the visitors.
It was sweet revenge against a team that swept Tampa Bay last season and had won four of the last five matchups against an NFC South rival.
“Division game, big-time win,” said Mike Evans. “We were looking forward to this one.”
There were no turnovers during this thrill ride as Bowles extended his record with the Bucs to 4-0 in Week 1. It certainly didn’t come easy, but the Bucs shook off a slow start to build momentum for a prime-time matchup at Houston a week from Monday.
Haason Reddick posted Tampa Bay’s lone sack against Michael Penix Jr. and Bowles said the free-agent edge rusher could have had a few more. Third-round pick Jacob Parrish made his presence felt, but it was Egbuka who showed out as a rookie with a pair of scoring receptions in his NFL debut.
“What a player he is,” said Lavonte David. “You could see it from Day 1. Emeka’s the real deal.”
For the Falcons, who have been looking up at the Bucs in the NFC South since 2021, it was a crushing setback. Penix played well, completing 27-of-42 passes for 298 yards and running for a score on fourth down, but Atlanta’s acclaimed ground game went nowhere.
Here’s how the Bucs demoralized a raucous crowd and set themselves up for a joyous return flight to Tampa Sunday evening:
Leading rusher today, Baker Mayfield.
* When you move starting center Graham Barton to left tackle, shift left guard Ben Bredeson to center and insert a free agent you picked up in late July to Bredeson’s spot in the season opener, it could have been a disastrous outing in front of Mayfield. But the new-look offensive line held up well as Michael Jordan did a creditable job at left guard. Mayfield was sacked only once and, at times, the pass protection was stellar. It always helps when your quarterback can keep the chains moving wiith gutsy third-down scrambles. Mayfield, yes Mayfield, led all rushers with 39 yards.
* Kameron Johnson provided a big play with a 54-yard punt return that set up Mayfield’s TD flip to Bucky Irving. At one point in training camp, it appeared rookie Tez Johnson would win the job, but the Bucs went with the second-year pro and the decision paid immediate dividends.
* Bijan Robinson is one of the NFL’s premier backs and he flashed his versatile skills early with a 50-yard TD reception, leaking out to the right flat with nobody in his zip code. But on the ground, where he earns the big bucks, Robinson was stymied time and again. In the 22 combined carries between Robinson and Tyler Allegier, the longest gain was six yards. Vita Vea was a beast in the middle, highlighted by a huge stop on fourth-and-1.
* Tykee Smith showcased his dependability in run support, leading all players with 11 tackles. SirVocea Dennis will have better days and overall, the Bucs gave Atlanta receivers too many yards after the catch.
* The Buc offense was limited to 260 yards, but Tampa Bay went 7-for-14 on third down in Josh Grizzard’s debut as an NFL play caller. Given the overhaul on the offensive line in wake of the Tristan Wirfs injury, Tampa Bay did just enough with the football.
* The Bucs did a nice job against receiver Drake London, a young rising star who was targeted by Penix 15 times. London caught 8 balls but gained only 55 yards. Bowles will take those pedestrian numbers every time he faces the Falcons.
* Reddick lined up all over the field in his Buc debut. He dropped into coverage, slanted inside or crouched down at a wide angle against the right tackle. Bowles appeared pleased overall but you get the feeling he expects more from Tampa Bay’s major free-agent addition.
Stout run defense helped rule the day, writes Ira Kaufman.
* What can you say about Egbuka at this point? He didn’t make his presence felt early on Sunday, but he certainly confirmed what teammates have been saying about him since the start of OTA practices. He’s talented, he’s smart and man, is he smooth. He has the look of a star and word is bound to get around the league quickly that defenses will pay a price for constantly double-teaming Evans.
* The Falcons jumped on Tampa Bay at the start as Robinson waltzed into the end zone less than two minutes in. You could hear Buc fans from Wesley Chapel to Wildwood cursing out Bowles, questioning his merits as a defensive coordinator. But instead of losing their poise and confidence, Buc defenders rose up and limited Atlanta to 13 points the rest of the way. How? The Falcons never got anything going on the ground — and that’s why Penix threw 42 passes, 10 more than Mayfield.
* Don’t believe the cliche that every game counts the same in the National Football League. The Bucs wanted this game … and they wanted it badly. It wasn’t overly pretty, but the Bucs were the only NFC South club to come away with a victory in Week 1.
“That’s what I love about this team,” David said. “There ain’t no quit in this room. We’re always going to fight to the bitter end. We’re gonna bring it, no matter what.”
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September 7th, 2025 at 7:15 pm
Man it was great chanting “Tampa!” “Bay!” walking out of that stadium today. The guys in stripes did everything they could to ensure the birds would win, but the best team won. Looking forward to some bragging rights with coworkers tomorrow.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:15 pm
It’s hard to leave out Winfield on your list. If it wasn’t for him the Bucs lose this game.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:19 pm
* What can you say about Egbuka at this point?
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Happy we drafted HIM instead of Jihaad Campbell.(who went 0-3 on tackles this week)
September 7th, 2025 at 7:22 pm
Yes EE was the better pick than Campbell no doubt!
September 7th, 2025 at 7:29 pm
Egbuka and Winfield provided critical plays in order to win this one. The team never gave up. Gonna enjoy this one all week.
Go Bucs!!!
September 7th, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Everybody thinking Dennis will bounce back haven’t been paying attention.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:38 pm
Very poor 1st outing for Grizz as a playcaller.
Especially in regard to the run game. Terrible/predictable run plays on 1st downs and we got lucky to do enough offensively/defensively to win this game.
As of right now, we are in the bottom half of the league offensively and Bottom-5 in the run game.
And for a unit that expects to be a Top-5 Offense, that’s a terrible debut.
We need to pass on 1st downs instead of handoff.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:39 pm
Glad to get the win, but statistically this was a very poor game and I blame it on scheme/playcalling.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:40 pm
Does anyone know why Atlanta was aloud to run a play (spike the ball) then have the previous play reviewed?
September 7th, 2025 at 7:45 pm
Egbuka reminds me of Jamar Chase the way he moves out there.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:48 pm
Erik — I’m not sure that I agree with problems on the play calling.
If Baker was more accurate today — we would have had more yards and points.
Baker was midseason form in decision making and the worst I have seen him as a Buc on accuracy.
What did he have 6 or 7 off target passes with no or very little pressure.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:48 pm
“There ain’t no quit in this room. We’re always going to fight to the bitter end. We’re gonna bring it, no matter what.”
Nothing more to say
September 7th, 2025 at 7:53 pm
JustOneGame Says:
September 7th, 2025 at 7:40 pm
Does anyone know why Atlanta was allowed to run a play (spike the ball) then have the previous play reviewed?
Announcers said it was a booth review in final 2 minutes that started before the spike so they were allowed to review.
September 7th, 2025 at 7:59 pm
Supposedly that play was already under review. I guess the refs on the field did not communicate.
September 7th, 2025 at 8:09 pm
Thank you, must’ve missed that. Sounds like bs though lol
September 7th, 2025 at 8:18 pm
I thought the referees did a FANTASTIC job getting every call correct. Thank-God they didn’t get a better angle to look at that ‘would be’ London TD, cause it ‘looked-like’ it was very possible that he held that ball against his leg and never touched the ground. Dean got LUCKY AF too, on that last pass in the endzone. He was SMOKED and that dude (Hodge or whomever) just never saw the ball. HORRIBLE play on his part. Horrible play on both of them. Never heard Kancey’s name all day!? Missed Cohen out there, today!!!!RWhite was barely used. I think he had 3-total touches, and we’re down TWO of our TOP WR’s.
September 7th, 2025 at 8:24 pm
Exact same tempo and ‘play-callng’ and run game we witnessed all preseason long, except for a couple of 1st-Down passes. I actually thought it’d be at least a little different, and definitely FASTER, with Baker running the show… But, it wasn’t. It’s just waaaayyy too predictable. The Defense KNOWS EXACTLY ‘when and where’ they’re running it EVERY TIME.
September 7th, 2025 at 8:27 pm
“JustOneGame“ – the booth was already in the process of reviewing it. Everything was moving so fast, that they just hadn’t gotten the alert down on the field yet.
September 7th, 2025 at 8:32 pm
“geno711” – Baker is a “system-QB.” THIS is just how HE’s gonna look, unless something changes FAST. It’s not playing to HIS strengths. Baker excels best under temp ‘dinking and dunking’ and in RHYTHM. He’s NOT gonna scare anyone as a typical drop-back passer throwing the ball downfield like that. He’s just NOT.
September 7th, 2025 at 8:34 pm
Emeka the amazing. What a fantastic draft pick. What a player!
Baker woke up when the team needed him most. Laser shot to Egbuka. Still had 3TD’s.on the day.
OL looking nearly shambolic at the start regrouped and played okay, sort of.. Run game blocking weak.
Offense had a definite drop-off from Coen. First game for Grizzard.
Bowles fails to have his team ready. Again.
If not for the missed Koo FG we would be talking about this defense on Atlanta’s last two offensive possessions.
On the definite upside defense held them to 20.
September 7th, 2025 at 8:36 pm
It looked A LOT MORE like “Bake-Canales” out there today, than “Bake-Cohen.” 💯
September 7th, 2025 at 8:43 pm
@ “Durango 95” – yeah, I think they got the ball with about 11:04 left on the clock, and 19-PLAYS LATER, we finally get it back just barely shy of the 2-Minute Warning LoL.
September 7th, 2025 at 8:44 pm
So if there had been a turnover on the next play rather than the QB spiking it, that would be overturned and come back? F that..the game cannot work that way.
September 7th, 2025 at 8:46 pm
Why didn’t Bowles get that timeout back after Raheem’s first challenge? I would have thought that as it was reversed they would give it back? Weird series of events there..
September 7th, 2025 at 8:50 pm
MelvinJunior Says:
September 7th, 2025 at 8:43 pm
@ “Durango 95” – yeah, I think they got the ball with about 11:04 left on the clock, and 19-PLAYS LATER, we finally get it back just barely shy of the 2-Minute Warning LoL.
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I hear you, dude. Unreal. Seen that garbage too many times. SMDH
September 7th, 2025 at 9:04 pm
Again for people in the cheap seat! HOW DO THEY REVIEW A PLAY AFTER THEY LET THE NEXT PLAY RUN
September 7th, 2025 at 10:13 pm
Durango 95 Says:
September 7th, 2025 at 8:34 pm
Bowles fails to have his team ready. Again.
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Getting a 4th straight win in the opening game on the road against a division rival qualifies as ‘fails’? What a joyless experience being a Bucs fan must be for you.
September 7th, 2025 at 10:42 pm
Where is that punk Jeff always predicting the Bucs are going to get blown out?
September 7th, 2025 at 10:42 pm
Refs were horrible in this game. Hopefully things approve next week. I think as the season goes on and grizz gets used to play calling it will get better
September 7th, 2025 at 10:44 pm
Bunch of whiny baby newb fans complaining in here.
We won… on the road, against a team that knows us well, with a shuffled line, injured all pro OT, 2 primary injured WRs and refs calling some garbage fouls. We should have had 4 more points but not McGloughlan’s best day. Yes, he and Baker can play better and I’m pretty sure they will. I’ll take this W all day and be happy about it.
September 7th, 2025 at 10:47 pm
I’d like to know why Bowles called a timeout after Johnson’s (7th rnd rookie) sideline “catch”. After the play, the Bucs quickly scrambled to the LOS then Baker slows it down and calls no play, giving everyone more time to review the non-catch.
September 7th, 2025 at 11:10 pm
Pretty sure that Bowles did not call the time out.
Pretty sure it was either Baker alone.
September 7th, 2025 at 11:18 pm
MelvinJunior Says:
September 7th, 2025 at 8:18 pm
“I thought the referees did a FANTASTIC job getting every call correct.”
I agree, outside of the timeouts thing. Every time they called a penalty it was accurate, and the reviews were too.
Fans tend to blame the refs, but I thought they were amazing. Our players need to reduce mistakes.
September 7th, 2025 at 11:20 pm
I expected rust. The lines get no real practice in training camp, and preseason was useless this year.
The team had to shake the rust.
September 7th, 2025 at 11:21 pm
Anything less than the NFC championship game is a dissapointment this season. We looked very average today like the best team in a bad division. Now we will get Wirfs back Godwin back etc you don’t want to peak in weak 1. Let’s celebrate this win and keep getting better!
Week 2 in Houston for MNF! We haven’t won a prime time game in a long time but I’m predicting Bucs 21-17 over Houston!
September 7th, 2025 at 11:56 pm
Three numbers Bucs fans need to be worried about. 3, 1, and 0.
3–Number of starts in his NFL career by Michael Penix Jr. before today. The kid threw for almost 300 yards against a veteran secondary with no significant injuries. And there were enough over-throws to open receivers by Penix to show this was only his 4th game ever in the NFL. The secondary and LB group were carved up yet again by a “rookie”. All of this is disheartening with CJ Stroud, Josh Allen, Jared Goff, Matt Stafford, and Kyler Murray still on the docket. Look for all of those QB’s to use Bucs game highlights in renegotiations for their next big contract.
1–Number of sacks against a “pocket passer” style quarterback. They tried blitzes, stunts, switching sides, rotations. All of that against a QB that will never be known for scrambling. Penix stood tall in the pocket all day and until the last drive had 15 yards rushing in the game. Somehow they only managed to get the job done once and put his behind on the ground. That is oddly reminiscent of last year. *My quick math tells me that the Bucs are on pace for 17 sacks the entire 2025 season.
0–Number of turnovers by Atlanta. “We want ball hawks”… “We have special meetings all about turnovers”… “7 interceptions is unacceptable…” More of the same from the secondary. Playing 10 yards off WR’s (though I will admit it didn’t seem quite as much), newly millionaired Zyon McCollum dropped 2 interceptions, and Jamel Dean let one go through his hands. SirVocea Dennis looked so bad out there trying to figure out where to go that they benched him for a few plays so he could get his mind right. It was really hard to watch today having read every single article this summer quoting the coaches how TO’s are an emphasis and how it will be better this year. So is it really going to be better? Or were they just telling everyone what they wanted to hear? Because just saying it doesn’t make it so. As Joe Pesci would say, “That argument does not hold wadda.”
It was good to get a win, and double nice winning in Atlanta and starting the year 1-0. The team stayed together and didn’t get rattled when they could have and Todd Bowles is the man that keeps everyone even-keel. But man, all this 2025, #1 seed and NFC predicted champs talk seems a lot further way tonight. Instead, I saw a lot of the same 2024, 10-7, bounced-in-the-first-round team here in week 1. And that’s not a contender, that’s a rerun.
September 8th, 2025 at 5:08 am
Lifer. Anyone that says we weren’t a contender the last 2 years hasn’t been watching. And you say that’s not a contender, that’s a rerun? How’s that a rerun beating the team that beat us twice last year? On the road. The Falcons averaged 33.5 points against us last year. They had to fight like heck to score 20 yesterday. Our defense played more aggressively and was healthier and it showed.
September 8th, 2025 at 5:44 am
Well said, Ira!
Right on, no quitting and fighting till the end. That was definitely this game.
September 8th, 2025 at 6:07 am
As of right now, we are in the bottom half of the league offensively and Bottom-5 in the run game.
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As of right now Tampa is the only team in the league that is up by a full game in their division, all the others are up by 1/2.
September 8th, 2025 at 7:18 am
Lifer
I get your concern but yesterday was not worthy of judging. A first game for two teams that hadn’t played their starters at all during the preseason.
If you accept that the praise for last years offense was largely built on the play of the OL and the QB and Bucky. The QB simply was seeing his first action of the season and it showed, the OL was GONE. Literally. And it showed so hard to judge Bucky or Griz’s real performance.
You should have simply stuck to your conclusion. IT WAS GOOD TO GET A WIN IN ATLANTA AGAINST THE TOP DIVISION RIVALS.
September 8th, 2025 at 8:37 am
Atlanta may be way better than we tend to give them credit for. The Bucs did the right things yesterday to beat them… but I expect them to be pretty good this year based on what I saw yesterday.
September 8th, 2025 at 10:10 am
Thank you KABucs! I couldn’t agree more
September 8th, 2025 at 10:20 am
Bucs WON! On to Houston!!!!
September 8th, 2025 at 11:15 am
Time to avenge that absolute defensive collapse atrocity in Houston from 2023. I was in the stadium for that puke job by Bowles. It only took rookie CJ Stroud 45 seconds to score the game winning TD after Baker’s heroic comeback.
Please, Todd. PLEASE. Watch the film from that and, in crunch time, find a way to have faith that playing tighter is righter. You did it most of the game yesterday, but when you didn’t Atlanta scored two TDs. First ald last.
Fix it.
September 8th, 2025 at 11:50 am
Erik with Pilot and Driver™ Says:
September 7th, 2025 at 7:38 pm
Very poor 1st outing for Grizz as a playcaller.
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You said it for me. 4 OCs in 5 seasons doesn’t cut it. These pro football players are still actual human beings, not phony AI robots. They have to adapt to Grizzard, and vice versa. Thanks Ira of the good review.