A missed 44-yard field goal as time expired by Younghoe Koo allowed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to secure a 23-20 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Week One at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Bucs have now won five consecutive season openers dating back to the 2021 season. It extends the longest streak in franchise history of Week One wins and now stands tied for the longest active streak in the NFL (Eagles). With the win, the Buccaneers took sole possession of the NFC South division. Dating back to the start of the 2021 season, Tampa Bay has held at least a share of the NFC South lead in 59 of the last 73 weeks, winning four consecutive division titles during that span (2021-24).
Under the two-minute mark in the game, Baker Mayfield's third touchdown pass of the day, this one a 25-yarder to Emeka Egbuka in the back of the end zone, ended up punctuating the victory for the Bucs. Overall, Egbuka became the offensive catalyst and the rookie finished with a team-leading 67 receiving yards on four receptions and two touchdowns in his debut.
Offensive Overview
The Bucs' offense took time to get settled after three-and-outs on the club's first two possessions, and Mayfield eventually completed 17 of his 32 attempts on Sunday for 167 yards. He threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Emeka Egbuka in the second quarter for a 10-7 advantage, then hit running back Bucky Irving on a nine-yard scoring pass in the third quarter to make it 17-10. He showed off his wheels, running the ball five times for 39 yards. Mayfield scrambled to convert several pivotal third downs while not throwing any interceptions. Whether the read was not there so he improvised out of the pocket, or he saw the open field due to his targets being covered man-to-man downfield, Mayfield helped move the chains. Following Kameron Johnson's 54-yard punt return to the Falcons' 32-yard line, Mayfield converted a third down with a 20-yard dash.
With All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs still recovering from a knee surgery in June, the Buccaneers unveiled a switch on the offensive line that they had kept hidden. Second-year player Graham Barton moved out to left tackle from center and Ben Bredeson slid from his post at left guard to center. Michael Jordan, a late-summer addition who was elevated from the practice squad for the Week One clash, filled in at left guard. The results were favorable, with the Bucs rushing for 101 yards overall and Mayfield taking just a single sack. Following the first quarter, the offensive line settled in, and the Bucs were able to achieve positive runs and get downhill through the B and C-gaps with pullers in front.
"Really proud of that group – Ben Bredeson at center, Graham Barton at left tackle," said Mayfield. "Thought those guys played great – and Michael Jordan in at left guard. So, proud of that group. A little give and take. We've got a lot of things to work on, but like I've told you guys before, it's always better to learn and correct things from a win."
The highlight of the day for the unit came late in the final frame. On the second touchdown of the day to Egbuka, the Bucs were lined up in a condensed bunch formation on the right. Mike Evans lined up in the slot (Egbuka out wide) and the Falcons over-emphasized for No. 13 and Jessie Bates III drove downhill from the centerfield post after Mayfield pump-faked. Once Bates bit, Egbuka was left one-on-one with Mike Hughes. Mayfield delivered a dime in the back of the end zone to Egbuka, who caught it to give the Bucs a lead late in the fourth. In addition to his route-running prowess, Egbuka made an impact as a blocker. On Irving's touchdown, Egbuka occupied Kaden Ellis and delayed the linebacker long enough on a chip to keep Irving wide-open in the flat for the score.
"I just think the way he carries himself, I've told you guys, it wasn't a front," noted Mayfield. "You saw it live today, in person. He's the real deal. True professional. Doesn't play like a rookie. Doesn't act like a rookie. His head is never spinning. He made some unbelievable catches and plays today for us. Obviously, going to continue to lean on him. Hopefully, we can draw some more coverage towards him, and Mike [Evans] gets the ball again."
Defensive Outlook
Defensively, Tampa Bay's run defense limited Atlanta to just 69 yards on 28 carries (2.5 yards/rush allowed). It marked Atlanta's lowest yards per rush average since 11/17/24 at Denver (2.4) and was just the fourth time since Bijan Robinson joined the Falcons in 2023 that Atlanta had been held to 2.5-or-fewer yards per rush. However, the defensive struggled at times in space and Robinson caught six passes for 100 yards and a touchdown. On the Falcons' opening drive, he took a short pass and cut through Tampa Bay's defense for a 50-yard touchdown.
In his Buccaneers' debut, outside linebacker Haason Reddick notched his first sack of the season, dropping Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. for a nine-yard loss. He quickly worked up-and-under the offensive tackle out of a two-point stance with a lethal get off. Additionally, second-year safety Tykee Smith matched his career high with 11 tackles to lead the team (also, 10/3/24 at Atlanta). Zyon McCollum tied his previous career high in tackles (10, also, 10/3/24 at Atlanta). Overall, Atlanta out-gained the Buccaneers, 358 yards to 260.
The play of the day on defense came by Antoine Winfield Jr. Winfield knocked the ball loose from Casey Washington inside the five-yard line to prevent the Falcons' touchdown as the clock wound down in the fourth quarter. He came flying across the field and delivered the big hit on Washington at a crucial moment to help Tampa Bay secure the victory.
