Keeping tabs on the Falcons' division rivals.

Will McFadden

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won the NFC South the last four seasons. Their quest for a fifth-straight division title began with a 23-20victory against the Falcons.

Atlanta is considered the biggest challenge to Tampa Bay in the division, so the Week 1 outcome is notable. However, as last season showed, these head-to-head matchups aren't everything. The Falcons swept this rivalry series in 2024, but the Bucs still claimed the NFC South.

Throughout the season, this piece will serve as a check-in on the four teams in the division, tracking their performance and noting the standout players from each game. Teams will be listed in the order of the division standing.

NFC South standings after Week 1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Last game:Win @ Atlanta Falcons (23-20)

Offensive standout:WR Emeka Egbuka

The Bucs' rookie wide receiver caught four passes on six targets and finished with a team-high 67 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner late in the fourth quarter.

Defensive standout:CB Zyon McCollum

With the ink still fresh on his three-year contract extension, McCollum looked worth the investment in the season opener. The former fifth-round pick was strong in coverage, had 10 combined tackles and played a big role in helping the Bucs slow down Atlanta's run game.

Needs improvement:Run game

Tampa Bay finished with 101 rushing yards on Sunday, but 39 of those yards came on Baker Mayfield scrambles. Removing those yards, the Bucs gained just 64 yards from their skill players. This was an offense that ranked fourth with 149 rushing yards per game under former coordinator Liam Coen.

Telling quote:"We've got a lot of things to work on, but like I've told you guys before, it's always better to learn and correct things from a win." Bucs QB Baker Mayfield

Vibe check:Good

Atlanta Falcons

Last game:Loss vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (23-20)

Offensive standout:QB Michael Penix Jr.

A good case could be made for Bijan Robinson here, but Penix was the mostconsistent and reliable offensive playerfor Atlanta. He completed 27 of his 42 pass attempts for 298 yards with one touchdown. Penix also scored a late go-ahead touchdown from 4 yards out on a fourth-down scramble.

Defensive standout:LB Divine Deablo

Atlanta's free-agent acquisition had an excellent debut. He had a career-best four pressures on Sunday, and he earned a half-sack against Mayfield. Deablo also deflected a pass and tied for the team high with six tackles.

Needs improvement:Kicking game

Although the Falcons' ground game was nothing to write home about, missed kicksare a more serious issuein a league where one-score games are common.

Telling quote:"It definitely creates more of a sense of urgency to be able to have that competitive edge for [Younghoe] Koo, for all of us, and to put ourselves in those positions to do the right thing for our football team at all costs. Now, that's where we're at." Head coach Raheem Morris on bringing in kicking competition.

Vibe check:Solid

New Orleans Saints

Last game:Loss vs. Arizona Cardinals (20-13)

Offensive standout:TE Juwan Johnson

The former wide receiver was the best offensive weapon for New Orleans in Week 1, catching eight passes for 76 yards. He nearly hauled in a late fourth-quarter touchdown that could have sent the game to overtime.

Defensive standout:DE Carl Granderson

There were a few solid performances from Saints defenders, but Granderson finished with 1.5 sacks, six tackles and a pair of pass defenses to claim this spot.This insane chase-down tacklehelped his case as well.

Needs improvement:Penalties

New Orleans was penalized 13 times in its season opener, and many of those infractions were self-inflicted before the snap.

Telling quote:"The pre-snap was simply not good enough. It doesn't meet the standard in any way. We had a bunch of penalties on both sides of the football in the pre-snap world. That's all under our control." Saints head coach Kellen Moore

Vibe check:Fine

Carolina Panthers

Last game:Loss @ Jacksonville Jaguars (26-10)

Offensive standout:WR Tetairoa McMillan

The rookie had a strong debut for Carolina, catching a team-high five passes for 68 yards. His target share should only continue to increase after his opening performance.

Defensive standout:CB Jaycee Horn

Carolina's star cornerback, who signed an extension this offseason, made one of the defensive plays of opening weekenda leaping one-handed grab. He was also strong in coverage, allowing just one catch for 7 yards.

Needs improvement:Turnovers

The Panthers turned the ball over three times on Sunday, and that is going to lead to a loss more often than not.

Telling quote:"The turnovers, the explosive plays, I thought our tackling was not great. We let a couple of plays out that we had stopped essentially for nothing. We let them get through to the second level. Any time you have four turnovers in a game, you give an offense with a bunch of weapons more opportunities. This is the outcome."

Vibe check:Fine

Up Next

Videos

Michael Penix Jr. shows flashes of ELITE processing in high pressure situations versus Buccaneers

Videos

Jessie Bates III mic'd up for Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Videos

Head Coach Raheem Morris Week Two Media Availability | Monday, September 8th | Press Conference

Videos

Younghoe Koo reflects on Week 1 vs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Videos

Jake Matthews, Jessie Bates III & other Falcons reflect on Week 1 vs Tampa Bay

Videos

Head Coach Raheem Morris & QB Michael Penix Jr. Postgame Press Conference | Falcons vs. Buccaneers

Videos

Falcons vs Buccaneers | NFL+ Highlights

Videos

Penix stretches for go-ahead TD on fourth-and-goal

Videos

Michael Penix Jr. looks like Superman converting fourth-and-short in red zone

Videos

Younghoe Koo's 36-yard FG doinks its way between uprights

Videos

Kyle Pitts makes acrobatic catch, stiff arms his way to first down

Videos

Michael Penix Jr. floats a 19 yard pass to Casey Washington for a first down

Videos

Can't-Miss Play: 50-yard TD! Penix and Bijan Robinson combine to score Falcons' first score of 2025

Videos

Steve Mariucci previews Bijan Robinson ahead of Week 1 'NFL GameDay Morning'

Videos

T.I., Michael Penix Jr., Drake London get fans hyped for the season | Dirty Birds Rally

Videos

Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Week 1 Hype

Videos

We have a NEW show! The Friday Five feat. the 5 biggest things for 2025

Videos

Darnell Mooney & others on their excitement for the season opener vs Tampa Bay

Videos

Jessie Bates III & Marquice Williams on expectations for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Videos

Atlanta Falcons x JID 'Glory' | Season Kickoff Hype

Videos

Jalon Walker & others on preparing for the season opener vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Videos

Raheem Morris on looking forward to Atlanta Falcons vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers matchup

Videos

Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Week One Media Availability | Wednesday, Sept. 3rd | Press Conference

Videos

Week 1 is FINALLY here! Keys to victory vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Falcons Audible Podcast

Videos

On The Rise | S5E5 | Earning a spot on the Atlanta Falcons roster

Videos

What are the expectations for this Atlanta Falcons team in 2025? | Season Preview

Videos

Billy Bowman Jr. & Leonard Floyd excited to tackle Week 1 | Atlanta Falcons vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Videos

Head Coach Raheem Morris Week One Media Availability | Monday, September 1st | Press Conference

Videos

Best of Michael Penix Jr. | 2025 AT&T Training Camp

Videos

Michael Jarrell, Kaden Elliss & other Falcons on their expectations for the upcoming season

Videos

Exclusive interview on Atlanta Falcons' 2025 initial roster with General Manager Terry Fontenot

Videos

Michael Penix Jr. & Drake London Media Availability | Thursday, Aug. 28th | Press Conference

Videos

Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Raheem Morris Media Availability | Thursday, Aug 28th | Press Conference

Videos

Instant reactions to Atlanta Falcons' 2025 initial roster + Offensive Line news | Atlanta Falcons Podcast

Videos

Liam McCullough is mic'd up in final preseason game vs the Dallas Cowboys

Videos

Head Coach Raheem Morris reflects on final preseason game against Dallas Cowboys | Press Conference

Videos

Falcons vs. Cowboys highlights | Preseason Week 3

Videos

Elijah Dotson explodes down the sidelines for 41-yard run

Videos

Easton Stick does it himself for 12-yard gain and first down

Videos

Easton Stick's 23-TD connection with Feleipe Franks trims Cowboys' lead to 14-9