It will be a battle of NFC South rivals in Week 1 when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Atlanta Falcons. Here are the storylines, picks, and best bets for Bucs vs. Falcons.
Buccaneers vs. Falcons: Game Information
For those who built our legacy — and the ones forging its future. pic.twitter.com/eB4QlAc5t0
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) July 15, 2025
- 🏈 Game: Buccaneers vs. Falcons
- 📅 Date: Sunday – Sept. 7, 2025
- 🕗 Time: 1 p.m. ET
- 🏟 Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium — Atlanta, Georgia
- 📺 TV Channel: Fox
- 💻 Live Stream: Fox One
Top Storyline: Bucs Will Be Without Tristan Wirfs, Chris Godwin
Tristan Wirfs last season:
🏴☠️ 94.1 pass-blocking grade (1st)
🏴☠️ 628 pass-blocking snaps
🏴☠️ 0 sacks allowed
🏴☠️ 1.9% pressure rate (1st)The No. 13 player and No. 2 OT on the PFF50 pic.twitter.com/9J5oYYp1m6
— PFF (@PFF) July 17, 2025
The Bucs boasted one of the best offenses in 2024, ranking second in yards per game (399.5) and fourth in points per game (29.5).
The offense might take a hit to start the season because of injuries to offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs and wide receiver Chris Godwin.
Both players were activated off the PUP list last week. However, Wirfs and Godwin will miss Week 1.
Wirfs is recovering from right knee surgery and could be back as early as Week 2.
Godwin requires more time to rehab his injured ankle and could be back after the first month.
The Bucs have enough talent to win in Week 1, but it’s still a major loss to not have two All-Pro players in the starting lineup.
Buccaneers vs. Falcons: Picks and Best Bets
Buccaneers -1.5 (-115)
How much did Liam Coen mean to the Bucs’ offense? With Coen as the offensive coordinator in 2024, quarterback Baker Mayfield set career highs in yards (4,500), touchdowns (41), and completion percentage (71.4).
Coen is now the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and former passing game coordinator Josh Grizzard is the new offensive coordinator.
The Falcons swept the season series with the Bucs last season. However, the Falcons now turn to Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback.
The biggest beneficiary of Penix in the lineup should be Drake London, who had an NFL-leading 352 receiving yards over the final three weeks of the season. Penix started all three of those games.
Even without Wirfs, Mayfield should have success throwing the ball against a Falcons defensive line that struggles to rush the passer. Heading into the season, the Falcons’ defensive line is ranked 30th by PFF.
This game should be high-scoring, and if it’s close late, I’ll take Mayfield and his experience to squeak out a 3-point victory over Atlanta.
Bijan Robinson Under 78.5 Rushing Yards (-114)
A Todd Bowles defense is going to blitz and sell out to stop the run.
The Buccaneers ranked fourth in stopping the run a season ago (97.8 yards per game).
It all starts with Vita Vea in the middle, with Lavonte David right behind him at the next level.
Bijan Robinson is going first in a lot of fantasy drafts. Week 1 does look promising for Robinson’s rushing total.
In 2024, the Bucs held Robinson to 61 yards and 63 yards in two games. The trend continues, as Robinson should come under his 78.5 total.
