Key takeaway: Jeff Ulbrich’s defense came to play. The Falcons forced the Buccaneers into back-to-back three-and-outs to start the game. The last time the Falcons forced a three-and-out on the first two drives was in 2015 against the Philadelphia Eagles in a season opener Atlanta won. The Falcons’ biggest task this offseason was revamping the defense, and Sunday showed they did just that. The unit has clearly embraced the newly implemented attack-style front because the players brought the energy.
Key moment: Trailing 17-13 with three minutes remaining, the Falcons offense lined up on fourth down at the Buccaneers’ 2-yard line. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. kept the ball, running and diving toward the left end-zone pylon. Initially, the play was ruled a fumble. But after further review, Penix was down before losing control and secured the first down needed. And four plays later, Penix finished the job with a 4-yard touchdown run. The Falcons took the lead, 20-17.
- More: That drive was crazy. It began at Atlanta’s own 9-yard line, required two fourth-down conversions and consisted of 18 plays total. Wide receiver Drake London had what appeared to be a touchdown catch before Penix’s final run, but it remained incomplete after a Falcons challenge.
- The 18-play drive signified the Falcons’ most plays on a single offensive drive since a 20-play drive against the Green Bay Packers on Oct. 5, 2020. It tied for the Falcons’ most plays on a touchdown drive since Dec. 12, 2010 against the Carolina Panthers.
The craziness didn’t end there. Because the Buccaneers answered within a minute’s worth of time. A 25-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield to wide receiver Emeka Egbuka capped off a quick five-play, 63-yard scoring drive to put Tampa Bay back in charge. The Buccaneers, though, missed their point-after attempt, so they were up by only three points rather than four.
The Falcons then had a minute of their own to work their magic. They set kicker Younghoe Koo up for a 44-yard field goal that would trigger overtime. But he missed.
Standout performance: Divine Deablo. The inside linebacker, donning the No. 0 for the Falcons, was all over the field in his first game. All offseason and preseason, the Falcons’ coaching staff praised Deablo’s stature and athleticism. Those qualities and so much more were on display Sunday. He finished with six tackles, a half-sack, and a pass breakup.
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