The Tampa Bay Buccaneers get their season underway on Sunday in Atlanta, looking to get their quest for a fifth straight NFC South crown and sixth straight playoff appearance started on the right foot against a team that gave them fits last year in the Falcons.

Tampa Bay dropped both matchups with the Falcons last year in October, who were led by Kirk Cousins at the time. While Cousins had a forgettable season that saw him benched, he looked All-Pro in his two matchups with the Bucs, particularly in the first. He threw for a franchise record 509 yards in Atlanta’s 36-30 overtime win on Thursday Night Football.

For Bucs fans hoping to see on Sunday if Tampa Bay can change their fortunes quickly against their NFC South rival, the news is good for Bucs fans in the state of Florida and in Georgia.

Per 506 Sports, the game will be broadcast through the majority of the state of Florida on FOX, with Miami and Jacksonville markets being excluded due to competing games from the local teams at that time. The panhandle is also excluded.

Fans throughout almost all of Georgia and the vast majority of Alabama will be in luck. Fans in the South Carolina area from above North Augusta down to Hilton Head Island will also be able to watch the contest locally. The game will also be available through most of the state of Oklahoma and a small part of Kansas, presumably accounting there for the Baker Mayfield factor.

What to watch for with Bucs and Falcons in Week 1

First and foremost – can this Tampa Bay defense do what it couldn’t last year – stop the Falcons from feasting in the middle of the field in the passing game? And that’s really the case just about everybody after the first month, slowing down opposing passing attacks. SirVocea Dennis’ return should be a major boost to the pass defense after he missed most of the season with a shoulder injury, and improved depth at cornerback with Benjamin Morrison, Jacob Parrish, and Kindle Vildor will help long term.

But seeing that improvement quickly against a team that torched them last year would go a long way to quelling concerns about a repeat of 2024. It won’t be in the park, as Michael Penix, Jr. showed promise last in the 2024 season after taking over for Cousins (although that might be a good thing for the Bucs with their history against Cousins).

Offensively, can new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard dial up creative plays in a balanced offense the way his predecessors-turned-head-coaches Dave Canales and Liam Coen did? And can the Bucs protect Baker Mayfield with Tristan Wirfs out and Atlanta having improved their pass rush this offseason with Jalon Walker and James Pearce, Jr.?

We’ll find out soon, as the Bucs and Falcons get underway on Sunday at 1:00 pm ET inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.