For the 2025 NFL season, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers don’t have the luxury of easing into the action. Their opener comes against an NFC South rival desperate to prove itself, the Atlanta Falcons. With storylines galore, from Michael Penix Jr stepping into his first full season as Atlanta’s starter to Tampa Bay’s veterans aiming to show they remain contenders, this Week 1 matchup could set the tone for both franchises. The Buccaneers have continuity, leadership, and proven star power on their side. Meanwhile, the Falcons are banking on youth, upside, and the promise of a new era. That contrast makes this one of the more intriguing divisional openers on the schedule.
Buccaneers-Falcons preview
The Buccaneers and Falcons square off on Sunday, Sept. 7, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in a game loaded with both divisional implications and plenty of intrigue. For Atlanta, this is about ushering in the Penix era. The rookie-turned-starter had flashes of brilliance last year. He tossed three touchdowns, but his three interceptions in limited action showed just how steep the NFL learning curve can be. Now, with a full offseason under his belt, Penix will try to prove he belongs against a veteran Bucs defense that prides itself on confusing young quarterbacks. Expect Tampa’s front seven to test his pocket presence while their secondary, bolstered by Antoine Winfield Jr, dares him to take shots downfield.
The Falcons have also wisely tried to shore up their defense, drafting linebacker Jalon Walker and edge rusher James Pearce Jr in the first round. These additions might be franchise cornerstones someday. However, Week 1 is rarely kind to rookies asked to immediately slow down established stars.
Tampa Bay returns much of its offensive core. This includes quarterback Baker Mayfield, wideouts Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and a line that has had a full offseason of continuity. It’s not far-fetched to call this an early-season elimination game in the NFC South. Atlanta is eager to prove it can keep up in what they hope will be a shootout. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers will be equally determined to flex their veteran muscle. If the Falcons want a track meet, the Buccaneers may be happy to oblige, but they’ll do it on their terms.
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Here we will look at and discuss some bold predictions for the game between the Buccaneers and the Falcons in Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season.
Bold prediction 1: Penix Jr. struggles in early start
Penix is the future of the Falcons franchise. That said, his first Week 1 as a full-time starter is a baptism by fire. He faces a Buccaneers defense that thrives on creating pressure and forcing mistakes. That's exactly the formula that frustrates young quarterbacks. Todd Bowles’ unit knows how to disguise coverages. With Winfield patrolling the back end again, Tampa Bay should severely limit Atlanta’s explosive opportunities.
The Bucs’ pass rush will be relentless. With Caljiah Kancey, Vita Vea and now Haason Reddick coming, Penix will likely find himself under siege more than once. The prediction here is that Penix throws at least two interceptions and gets sacked three or more times. As such, he never finds consistent rhythm. Atlanta may see glimpses of his potential, but it won’t be enough against a defense that’s built to punish inexperience.
Bold prediction 2: Evans makes history early
Mike Evans has been rewriting the record books since he entered the NFL. 2025 offers another milestone within reach. Evans is on the verge of surpassing Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice’s record for the most consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. To break that historic streak, Evans must keep his production steady from Week 1 onward. There’s no better opportunity than against an Atlanta secondary that has consistently struggled to contain him.
Look for Evans to top 60 yards in this opener. That would put him on pace to once again reach that vaunted 1,000-yard plateau. He’s the perfect foil to Mayfield’s aggressive mentality, and his size-speed combination makes him nearly unguardable in contested-catch situations. With Godwin stretching the field and Bucky Irving forcing defenses to respect the run, Evans should have plenty of one-on-one opportunities to dominate. Week 1 will mark the beginning of what could be his most memorable season yet.
Bold prediction 3: Atlanta’s weakness is exposed
For years, Atlanta’s biggest defensive flaw has been its inability to stop the pass. Even with investments in Walker and Pearce, those are long-term moves. They are not Week 1 solutions. Against Tampa Bay’s proven duo of Evans and Godwin, expect that weakness to show up once again.
Mayfield thrives on finding matchups he can exploit. Against Atlanta, there will be plenty. The Falcons’ young corners will be tested early and often. Even if they show improvement, they simply don’t have the experience to win those battles consistently. Tampa Bay could realistically eclipse 300 passing yards, with Evans and Godwin both threatening to find the end zone. Atlanta’s defense may have promise, but Week 1 will serve as a harsh reminder that promise doesn’t equal production.
Bold prediction 4: Buccaneers secure an early win
The Buccaneers already a higher probability of victory. Tampa has the continuity, the leadership, and the offensive firepower to control this game from start to finish. Sure, Atlanta might hope for a back-and-forth shootout. However, the more likely scenario is Tampa dictating tempo and leaning on its defense to close the door.
The final score may not be a complete blowout, but it should feel decisive. Expect Tampa Bay to secure a 27-17 victory. That would send a clear message to the NFC South that they remain the division’s team to beat. Atlanta will leave the game with more questions than answers about its readiness to compete for a playoff berth. For the Buccaneers, this will be the kind of Week 1 statement that sets the tone for another strong campaign.
Final thoughts
The Buccaneers-Falcons Week 1 matchup may not look like a marquee NFL showdown on paper. That said, it’s exactly the kind of divisional clash that carries massive weight for the months ahead. Tampa Bay is banking on its proven stars, while Atlanta is hoping its young talent develops faster than expected. We see the how veteran Bucs will hold serve, Evans will make history, and Penix will endure growing pains.
For Tampa Bay, this is the chance to start fast and remind everyone that their championship window remains open. For Atlanta, it’s a reality check: promise takes time, and in the NFC South, time is rarely a luxury.
