Baker Mayfield aims to soar as Buccaneers face Falcons in NFC South opener showdown
The anticipation builds as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons prepare to launch their seasons in a much-anticipated NFC South clash. Both teams enter the fray with a clean slate at 0-0, setting the stage for an intense rivalry that has seen Atlanta hold the upper hand in recent years.
Rivalry History
The Falcons have dominated this matchup lately, emerging victorious in four of the last five encounters, including a clean sweep last season. Their most recent meetings were dramatic; Atlanta triumphed in a thrilling 36-30 overtime contest at home on October 3, followed by another nail-biter that saw them escape with a win less than a month later. In a rare split in 2023, Tampa Bay had previously enjoyed a five-game winning streak over Atlanta that commenced back in 2019. This storied rivalry, which dates back to 1977 when the Falcons first blanked the Buccaneers 17-0, has produced its fair share of excitement with six overtime battles thus far.
Baker Mayfield in the Spotlight
For Tampa Bay, all eyes will be on quarterback Baker Mayfield. Coming off a strong previous season, Mayfield finished second in touchdown passes, third in passing yards, and fourth in passer rating across the league. His performances against the Falcons have been particularly impressive, as he has thrown 13 touchdowns against just three interceptions, boasting a passer rating of 105.2 in five career starts against Atlanta.
Listening to the Game
Fans eager to follow the action can tune into the game via various radio channels. Nationally, SiriusXM will broadcast the game on channel 380 for away games and 225 for home games. For local listeners, the Falcons can be heard on 92.9 The Game (WZGC/FM), while Buccaneers fans can catch the action on WXTB and 97.9 FM Tampa. New subscribers to SiriusXM can take advantage of a free four-month trial, allowing them to enjoy live coverage of NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL games, and more throughout the year.
Game Details
The highly-anticipated matchup between the Falcons and Buccaneers is set to kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 7. The venue for this exciting season opener will be the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, where fans will undoubtedly bring their energy to support their teams in this fierce divisional battle.
