King of the Road (openers).
Enough with this worthless preseason which has already cost the Bucs a critical piece of their offense — and for what? Let’s talk real football!
Joe has to believe there are a number of his readers who want real football chatter to begin after so many long months of speculation, underwear football and (ugh!) worthless preseason games.
Over at CBS, John Breech (son of former Bengals punter Jim Breech) decided to type a column on when each NFL team will lose its first game. When will the Bucs lose their first game in Breech’s eyes? Joe doesn’t know. That’s not the purpose or focus of this story.
Rather, the following is what Joe is focused on: Breech believes the Bucs come out of the season-opener with the Dixie Chicks by [eating a W](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/predicting-when-each-nfl-team-will-lose-its-first-game-steelers-outlast-almost-everyone-eagles-lose-early/). Why? Because Bucs coach Todd Bowles dominates road openers with the Bucs.
> **Atlanta Falcons (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers).** The Buccaneers are 3-0 in their past three road openers and that includes an impressive 20-16 win over the Lions last season, which was one of just two losses that Detroit suffered during the regular season. Michael Penix Jr.’s will be making just the fourth start of his career and it will be coming against a seasoned Buccaneers team. This feels like a Tampa Bay win.
Well, beyond that, the Dixie Chicks are decimated on their offensive line, specifically at tackle. And as Breech points out, Penix is just making his fourth start. He’s still a bit green.
Nothing like Penix (who Joe likes) seeing Bowles’ dizzying blitzes right off the bat. And maybe Haason Reddick pays his respects too?
Time for the Bucs to control the NFC South from Week 1.
_#BeatAtlanta_