PHOTOS: Buccaneers edge Falcons in season opener

Atlanta Falcons

PHOTOS: Buccaneers edge Falcons in season opener

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers opened the 2025 NFL season with a 23-20 victory over the Atlanta Falcons at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) tries to break the Tampa Bay defense during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) hits the ground after a sack from Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Yaya Diaby (0) during the second half of an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25)gets stop in the line of screamage during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) runs for yards against Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum (27) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. (8) gains yards after a catch during the second half of an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Casey Washington (82) celebrates with Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) after his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

The Atlanta Falcons Rise Up flag is displayed during the team’s introduction prior to the home opener game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

The American flag is displayed during the national anthem prior to the home opener game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) attempts a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) celebrates with teammates after his touchdown during the second half of an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta.

(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Michael Penix Jr. (9) celebrates after his touchdown during the second half of an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta.

(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea (50) hits Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) for a a penalty during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) dives as he gets tackled during the second half of an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris speaks with a referee as he challenges a play during the second half of an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris observes the action during the second half of an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) dives into the end zone as he scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons placekicker Younghoe Koo (6) reacts after missing a last-second field goal. The Atlanta Falcons lost their home opener 23-20 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers players celebrate as Atlanta Falcons placekicker Younghoe Koo (6) lies on the ground after missing a last-second field goal. The Atlanta Falcons lost their home opener 23-20 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta.

(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons players help Atlanta Falcons place kicker Younghoe Koo (6) to get up after missing a field goal in the last second of the game. The Atlanta Falcons lost 23-20 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) walks out of the field after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 23-20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) walks out of the field after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 23-20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) exchange words at the end of the game after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 23-20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) walks out of the field after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 23-20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank reacts after Atlanta Falcons place kicker Younghoe Koo (6) missed a field goal to tie the game in the last seconds of the game, an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons fans wave flags after their team scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons place kicker Younghoe Koo (6) wacthes after scoring a field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) celebrates with Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) after his touchdown during the first half of an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) reacts after his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) crosses the end zone for his touchdown during the first half of an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta.

(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) brakes the tackle as he runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) gets stop by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker SirVocea Dennis (8) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) rushes with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III (3) kisses his son before the home game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris observes his team during warm-ups before the home opener between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.

(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Falcons owner Arthur Blank leaves the field after his team finishes warm-ups before the home opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.

(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III (3) works on a drill catches the ball during warm-ups before the home opener game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.

(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) catches the ball during warm-ups before the home opener game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Natrone Brooks (35) catches the ball during warm-ups before the home opener game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.

(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) throws a pass during warm-ups before the home opener game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) chat during warm-ups before the home opener game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) work on a drill warm-ups before the home opener game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
(Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

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Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) tries to break the Tampa Bay defense during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, September 7, 2025, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

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