{"id":343973,"date":"2025-09-05T15:29:13","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T15:29:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/343973\/"},"modified":"2025-09-05T15:29:13","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T15:29:13","slug":"davy-jones-locker-buccaneers-vs-falcons-qa-with-the-falcoholic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/343973\/","title":{"rendered":"Davy Jones\u2019 Locker: Buccaneers vs Falcons Q&A with The Falcoholic"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the Buccaneers just days away from opening up their season in Atlanta against the division rival Falcons, they will be looking for some revenge after being swept last year. Both teams would love nothing more than to start off the 2025 season on the right note. To help break down this Falcons team, we spoke with Saivion Mixson of The Falcoholic<\/a> to give us a closer look at this macthup.<\/p>\n

1. We are now entering the first full season with Michael Penix Jr at the helm for Atlanta. What are the expectations for him this season and how confident are you in his potential as a franchise quarterback?<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are going to be growing pains. There\u2019s no way around it. He\u2019s a gunslinger, so he\u2019s going to spray some throws, force a few into traffic, and make a couple of \u201crookie\u201d decisions. That\u2019s natural for a guy with just three starts under his belt who\u2019s still adjusting to NFL speed.<\/p>\n

But make no mistake: the kid is special. His arm talent is already top 10 in the league, and his feel for throws outside the numbers is elite. He\u2019s got the juice to hit explosive plays downfield and the athleticism to avoid negative ones. This season, I expect the usual peaks and valleys of a young quarterback, but his ceiling as a franchise QB is limitless. \u201c<\/p>\n

2. The Falcons had the Bucs number last season, sweeping the season series. From Atlanta\u2019s perspective, what went right in those games to come out victorious?<\/p>\n

\u201cLast year, Kirk Cousins was surgical against Tampa. According to NFL Pro, he posted his two best games of the season versus the Bucs, generating 0.41 and 0.37 EPA per dropback. Elite numbers when you consider that MVP candidate Lamar Jackson led the league at 0.29.<\/p>\n

\"TAMPA,<\/a><\/p>\n

TAMPA, FL – OCTOBER 27: Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) looks for an open receiver during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 27, 2024 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n

That\u2019s exactly why Cousins was brought in: to deliver in big games like those. But as the season wore on, the consistency disappeared, and Atlanta needed a quarterback who could create more on his own. That opened the door for Penix, and now this matchup looks a whole lot different. \u201c<\/p>\n

3. What was the Falcons biggest need this offseason? Do you think it was properly addressed? <\/p>\n

\u201cThe biggest need was easy: pass rush. Atlanta simply wasn\u2019t affecting quarterbacks enough, and they went out and swung big. Landing Jalon Walker in the draft and adding James Pearce Jr. gives them two blue-chip pieces to build around.<\/p>\n

Now, whether it was \u2018properly\u2019 addressed is where it gets tricky. I\u2019m never a fan of giving up first-round picks unless you\u2019re already in a Super Bowl window. But I get it, this front office is betting on itself. If it works, it could transform the defense overnight. If it doesn\u2019t, Terry Fontenot won\u2019t be around to feel the consequences. \u201c<\/p>\n

4. When looking at this matchup, what do you think is the biggest X factor in this game and why? <\/p>\n

\u201cThe X-factor is right tackle Elijah Wilkinson against this Buccaneers pass rush. If Wilkinson can hold up on the edge, it changes everything. Last season, the Bucs were 0-3 in games where they blitzed under 25%, including both losses to Atlanta.<\/p>\n

If Penix gets time and the Falcons can keep Bowles\u2019 pressure packages in check, Atlanta has a real shot to control this one.\u201c<\/p>\n

5. The Bucs are currently favored in the game by a very small margin. What is your score prediction for this one? <\/p>\n

\u201cEverything says to take Tampa. They\u2019ve owned the South for four straight years, and they\u2019re built to make it five.<\/p>\n

But at some point, the torch has to pass, and I think Sunday is that moment. Give me the Falcons, 27-23, in a statement win. \u201c<\/p>\n

The games are always exciting when these two teams meet, and we\u2019ll see what Sunday has in store for this matchup. Thanks so much to Saivion for doing this!<\/p>\n

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