The folks over at JoeBucsFan picked up a massive scoop regarding Tampa Bay’s 2025 schedule, breaking the news that the Buccaneers will travel to Atlanta to face the Falcons on opening day.
Joe’s got the scoop! ⬇️ https://t.co/lTetEV5SZz
— rock riley (@realrockriley) May 14, 2025
Buccaneers have an early chance to avenge 2024 sweep against Falcons
The Falcons actually swept the Bucs in 2024 and had the inside track to the NFC South title, but a late-season collapse rendered their sweep over Tampa Bay meaningless. Still, the Buccaneers' futility against Atlanta can't be ignored.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins finished with a mediocre 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions last season, but he absolutely dominated against the Buccaneers. Cousins threw eight touchdowns, nearly half his season total, in two games against Tampa Bay and just one interception. Outside of his two games against the Bucs, Cousins was so bad that the Falcons were forced to bench him and his $160 million contract in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. down he stretch.
The Bucs, especially the defense, will have to fare much better against the Falcons in 2025–the up-and-coming team had a great offseason and is poised to give the Bucs a run for their money in the NFC South. If the Bucs get swept again by Atlanta this year, chances are, they won’t be as lucky as they were last year to escape with the division crown.
The game will feature Tampa Bay’s first meeting with Penix Jr., who showed serious flashes in his limited sample size. Penix played his high school football in Tampa Bay, and is surely looking forward to the opportunity to play host to the hometown Buccaneers in his first season opener as a starter.
The last time the Bucs opened the season against the Falcons was in 2016, when they travelled to Atlanta and then-quarterback Jameis Winston kicked off his sophomore campaign by lighting up the scoreboard, and the stat sheet, with four touchdown passes in a 31-24 win. Ah, the good ole days!
Much has changed in Tampa Bay since 2016, but a similar statement win on the road against the Falcons would be an ideal way to open the season and set the tone for 2025.
The Bucs and Falcons are seemingly poised for a two-team race for the NFC South crown, and this week one matchup will have massive implications. The Buccaneers have won four-straight season opening games and are undefeated in them under head coach Todd Bowles—why not make it five?
We will continue to share live updates as pieces of the Buccaneers' 2025 schedule continue to leak.
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