The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season looking to extend their NFC South dominance, and they’ll start that campaign with a road trip to face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, September 7. While both teams made significant offseason moves and boast revamped rosters, there are position groups that give the Buccaneers a clear edge heading into this divisional matchup. Here’s a breakdown of where Tampa Bay holds the advantage in Week 1:

Wide Receiver

Tampa Bay boasts one of the most well-rounded and dangerous wide receiver rooms in the league.Mike Evans returns after yet another 1,000-yard, double-digit touchdown season in 2024, showing no signs of slowing down in his 12th year. The Bucs also added first-round pick Emeka Egbuka out of Ohio State, an explosive rookie who brings elite route-running and YAC ability to the mix.

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Add in Tez Johnson and veteran Sterling Shepard, and this unit has a rare blend of experience, youth, and versatility. While the Falcons have talent in Drake London and Darnell Mooney, Tampa Bay’s group is deeper and better suited to win against complex defensive schemes. This is a definitive edge for the Buccaneers.

Defensive Line & Edge Rush

The Buccaneers’ defensive front enters 2025 as a potential top-10 unit, and it starts in the trenches.Vita Vea continues to anchor the interior with elite run-stuffing ability, while Calijah Kancey and Logan Hall provide inside pressure in passing situations.

But the biggest upgrade came on the edge, where the Bucs landed Haason Reddick in free agency. Reddick had 11 sacks last season with Philadelphia and is already making an impact in Todd Bowles’ aggressive system to pair with young star Yaya Diaby. The rotation is strong, too. Veterans like Greg Gaines and newcomers like Elijah Roberts give the Bucs the depth needed to sustain pressure throughout four quarters.

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Atlanta added Leonard Floyd and drafted highly touted edge rusher James Pearce Jr., but Tampa Bay’s group is proven and more cohesive. Against an Atlanta offensive line that will be missing right tackle Kaleb McGary, the Bucs should be able to generate serious pressure, especially on a young quarterback, Michael Penix Jr.

Inside Linebacker

While the Falcons have athleticism at linebacker, the Bucs have something just as valuable: experience and leadership.

Lavonte David, now in his 14th season, continues to play at a high level. He led the team in tackles last year and remains one of the smartest and most reliable linebackers in football. Alongside him, SirVocea Dennis is expected to take a leap in his second year, while Deion Jones brings both depth and experience to the middle of the defense.The Falcons are dealing with injuries at the position as Troy Andersen is on the PUP list and will lean heavily on Kaden Elliss and Devine Deablo, who are solid but less consistent.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: What positions do the Bucs have an edge at against the Falcons?