First Quarter:
Sunday featured a nightmarish start for the Tampa Bay Bucs and their fans. The Falcons walked down the field effortlessly on their first drive scoring on a short throw to Bijan Robinson that featured a substantial amount of open field running after the catch and unfortunate memories of Tampa Bay’s 2024 defense. In life sometimes you get punched in the mouth. The good news? Tampa Bay’s offense had an opportunity to respond. The bad news? Their response— Three plays and a punt. 7-0, Falcons.
Second Quarter:
The Bucs’ offense began quarter number two with the ball, following a rare moment of coaching aggression from Todd Bowles. Backed up in their own end Todd Bowles decided to leave his offense on the field for a fourth down and one. Bowles’ trust in Baker Mayfield and his offense was rewarded as Mayfield found Mike Evans for their first connection of the season. That connection led the Bucs’ offense down the field for their first score of the season, a Chase McLaughlin field goal. 7-3, Falcons.
Atlanta, in an effort to match Tampa Bay’s aggressiveness decided their next drive would hinge on a fourth down conversion. Unfortunately, for Atlanta, they made the decision to run at Vita Vea. Atlanta’s turnover on downs set the Bucs up with good field position and their offense took full advantage— Touchdown pass number one for number six on the season, touchdown catch number one for number two in his career. Mayfield to Egbuka, a combination Bucs’ fans hope to see forge much more of the same as the season continues. 10-7, Bucs.
A dropped interception by Zyon McCollum on the Falcons’ ensuing drive would leave the ball in Atlanta’s possession and give them a shot at three points. Younghoe Koo delivered and the Falcons tied the game— 10-10.
Third Quarter:
The Bucs started the second half with the ball and disorganization. Sloppy play is always a large portion of the discussion when the topic is week one football and the Bucs will surely have a place in that discussion. Following a completed catch that was actually incomplete, the Bucs attempted to get on the ball quickly to prevent an Atlanta challenge. Tampa’s offense was unable to get a play called at the line of scrimmage, forcing them to use a timeout. Tampa Bay’s timeout was self-sabotaging because it gave Raheem Morris enough to time to toss his challenge flag. Following a very quick review, the pass was ruled incomplete. Allowing the Falcons to use Tampa Bay’s timeout to negate their gained yardage is poor, however, letting mistake pile up is worse. Third down and three became third down and eight, the Bucs failed to convert, which led to Chase McLaughlin jogging on the field. McLaughlin, as reliable a player as the Bucs have had over the past few seasons, fell victim to the week one sloppiness as well, missing a field goal.
Atlanta’s next drive ended in fireworks— For Tampa Bay. Kam Johnson, a coaches favorite for a while now, grabbed Bradley Pinion’s punt and ran it back for 54 yards. Johnson’s field-flipping play helped snag momentum for the Bucs. Tampa Bay’s offense capped off the drive with their second touchdown of the season, Baker Mayfield to Bucky Irving. 17-10, Bucs.
Haason Reddick’s first sack as a Buccaneer came on the Falcons’ next drive— A redzone trip that ended in three points, after Reddick’s third down stop. 17-13, Bucs.
Fourth Quarter:
Missed throws from Baker Mayfield highlighted the early parts of the fourth quarter. Deep shots to Mike Evans, Cade Otton, and then Sterling Shepard all missing the mark kept the game a one-score contest. At 17-13, the Bucs’ defense was given a chance to cement themselves as the team’s backbone in the manner they were during Todd Bowles’ early years in Tampa. The defense reminded Bucs fans, on a nearly 20-play drive, they are not. Michael Penix Jr. took his offense down the field with his arm and his legs and put a fourth quarter dagger in Todd Bowles and the Tampa Bay Bucs— A dagger Baker Mayfield would remove moments later.
Emeka Egbuka, in his first game as a Buccaneer, immediately validated his worth, draft position, and preseason hype. As a rookie in his first game, he scored the team’s game-winning touchdown. Becoming the team’s first and only wide receiver in franchise history to start his career with a multi-touchdown game. With the sloppy play continuing, Chase McLaughlin did not convert the extra point. The Falcons, again, marched down the field— Through the Bucs’ defense like they were not there.
The Bucs were on the bad end of some tough calls, bad penalties and frustrating mistakes. Relief finally came for the Bucs’ fans on the games second-to-last snap. Younghoe Koo with a chance to send the game to overtime, sent his kick wide right. Bucs win, 23-20.
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