The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to face off against the NFC South rival Atlanta Falcons in a crucial season opener that could have massive playoff implications.
There are a few Bucs players in particular whose performances will shape the outcome of the game.
3 Buccaneers X-Factors in the season opener vs. Falcons
LT Charlie Heck
Heck is perhaps the biggest question mark for Tampa Bay ahead of Week 1. With All-Pro Tristan Wirfs out due to injury, Heck is stepping in to fill his role at left tackle.
The Falcons boast not one, but two rookie first-round edge rushers in Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. They also feature veteran Leonard Floyd, who has posted at least 8.5 sacks in five straight seasons, along with Arnold Ebiketie, who has notched six sacks in back-to-back years.
Heck will need to rise to the occasion as a pass protector in relief of Wirfs, or it could be a long day for quarterback Baker Mayfield and the offense against this group of talented Falcons pass rushers.
LB SirVocea Dennis
The Buccaneers are counting on Dennis to assist Lavonte David in shutting down the middle of the field against Atlanta.
Last year, when the Falcons swept the Bucs, Tampa Bay’s biggest issue was rolling out a soft zone that continuously left the middle of the field wide open, allowing tight end Kyle Pitts to have a pair of career games against Tampa Bay. In two games, Pitts caught 11 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns.
Dennis was playing at a high level in 2024, but only appeared in only four games last year before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. If he can help shore up the defense’s biggest weak spot in the middle of the field, it would pay dividends for Tampa Bay.
WR Emeka Egbuka
With Chris Godwin Jr. sidelined in Week 1 as he continues to recover from a devastating ankle injury that required multiple surgeries, and Jalen McMillan out with a sprained neck, rookie first-round pick Emeka Egbuka steps into a feature role in the Buccaneers’ offense.
Egbuka will line up as the No. 2 option beside Mike Evans and is expected to see plenty of targets in his NFL debut.
With the Falcons likely to roll double coverage toward Evans — as most teams do — Egbuka could be in line for a breakout performance. If he capitalizes on his opportunities and continues the chemistry he’s built with Baker Mayfield throughout the offseason, it would give Tampa Bay a major boost as they navigate the early weeks without some of their top playmakers.
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