The Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicked off the 2025-26 NFL season with a hard-fought 17-10 road victory over their NFC South rivals, the Atlanta Falcons, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday afternoon. In a gritty, defense-driven battle, the Buccaneers leaned on their potent offense and timely plays to secure the win in front of 71,000 fans, setting an early tone in their quest for a fifth consecutive division title.
The game, which aired live on FOX at 1:00 p.m. ET, saw Tampa Bay overcome an early deficit sparked by a dazzling 50-yard touchdown pass from Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to running back Bijan Robinson just 1:46 into the first quarter. The score gave Atlanta a 7-0 lead, igniting the home crowd, but the Buccaneers responded with resilience.
Tampa Bay’s offense, led by quarterback Baker Mayfield, found its rhythm in the second quarter. Mayfield, coming off a stellar 2024 season with 4,500 passing yards and 41 touchdowns, connected with rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka for a 9-yard touchdown pass, marking Egbuka’s first career score. The play tied the game at 7-7, showcasing the Ohio State product’s potential as a key weapon alongside veteran Mike Evans. Later in the quarter, kicker Chase McLaughlin drilled a 48-yard field goal to give the Buccaneers a 10-7 lead, capping a 16-play, 61-yard drive that chewed up 8:07 of clock.
The second half turned into a defensive slugfest, with both teams struggling to sustain drives. Tampa Bay’s defense, bolstered by Pro Bowl nose tackle Vita Vea’s return from a foot issue, clamped down on Atlanta’s offense. Linebacker Yaya Diaby and defensive lineman Calijah Kancey led a crucial fourth-down stop, stifling a Falcons drive deep in Tampa territory. Cornerback Zyon McCollum, fresh off a new contract through 2028, added three solo tackles to anchor the secondary.
In the fourth quarter, running back Bucky Irving, who led all rookies in 2024 with 1,514 scrimmage yards, broke the game open with a touchdown reception from Mayfield, extending Tampa Bay’s lead to 17-7. The Falcons answered with a late field goal to cut the deficit to 17-10, but Tampa Bay’s defense held firm, sealing the victory as Penix’s final desperation pass fell incomplete.
Mayfield finished 6-of-13 for 75 yards and a touchdown, while Penix, in his first full start as Atlanta’s QB, went 7-of-11 for 106 yards and a touchdown. Robinson’s 67 receiving yards, including his 50-yard score, led the Falcons, but their offense sputtered without wide receiver Darnell Mooney, sidelined by a shoulder injury. Tampa Bay also played without key starters, including All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee) and wide receiver Chris Godwin (ankle), but adjustments like moving rookie Graham Barton to left tackle kept the unit cohesive.
“We came here to go 1-0, and that’s what we did,” said center Graham Barton, dismissing last season’s sweep by Atlanta. “It’s a new year, and we’re focused on stacking wins.” The victory was especially sweet for Tampa Bay, who had lost both matchups to the Falcons in 2024, including a 36-30 overtime thriller and a 31-26 defeat.
For Atlanta, the loss stings after a winless preseason (0-3), but Penix showed promise in his home debut. The former No. 7 overall pick, a Tampa native, acknowledged the personal stakes: “There’s some trash talk with friends back home, but most are rooting for me and the Falcons now.” Despite the setback, running back Bijan Robinson remains a fantasy football darling, with his early touchdown reminding fans of his 1,456-yard, 14-touchdown 2024 campaign.
The Buccaneers (1-0) head home to face the Detroit Lions in Week 2, while the Falcons (0-1) travel to take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. With the NFC South race already heating up, Tampa Bay’s early statement win could loom large. Fans can catch highlights and full game recaps on NFL+, FOX Sports, or ESPN, with streaming available via Fubo and DirecTV.
In a rivalry where the last 10 games have been decided by one score, this 17-10 nail-biter lived up to the hype. For now, the Buccaneers sail out of Atlanta with the W, raising their flags high as they embark on their 50th season.
