‘Your Rules Are a Joke’ — Buccaneers Fans Rip Refs After Controversial Calls in Week 1 Matchup vs. Falcons

A late fourth-quarter sequence drew the ire of Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans as they watched their lead vanish from a gutsy decision by Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr., and possibly a controversial call from the refs.

While the Buccaneers would overcome, with a late touchdown from rookie WR Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay fans were irate at the overturned call in the Falcons and made their voices heard.

Buccaneers Fans Sound Off on Overturned Calls in Favor of Falcons

The drama was high late in the fourth quarter of Week 1 of the NFL season as the Falcons attempted to make a comeback against the Buccaneers. Atlanta’s second-year QB put his body on the line to make sure the Falcons had every chance to win the NFC South matchup. Late into the fourth quarter, amid a long drive to go up a score, Penix and the Falcons’ offense faced a fourth and two at the Tampa Bay 3-yard line.

With one final shot at converting, Penix, unable to find a receiver, tucked the ball and ran for the sticks, stretching out for the first down. At first, he lost the ball through the back of the end zone after stretching out, although officials claimed he was down short of the line to gain.

Is this a Penix fumble? pic.twitter.com/UKyDm39szp

— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) September 7, 2025

However, after review, the referees would overturn the call and said not only did Penix get the first down, but he landed out of bounds, and the ensuing fumble did not happen. The Falcons would run five more plays, including receiving offsetting penalties, before finally punching it in the end zone to take the lead.

Buccaneers fans were unhappy with the sequence, with one fan saying, “@NFL, your rules are a joke. Let’s review that Penix dive on 4th & 1. Can’t fumble as the play is dead, but can score if he wanted to. Pathetic.”

@NFL your rules are a joke. Let’s review that Penix dive on 4th & 1. Can’t fumble as the play is dead but can score if he wanted to. Pathetic

— Matt Mitchell (@mattysice) September 7, 2025

Another agreed, posting, “100% if a receiver dives forward like Penix Jr just did, and that receiver dropped it. It’s a fumble. Plain and simple. NFL is so cooked.”

100% if a receiver dives forward like Penix Jr just did, and that receiver dropped it. It’s a fumble. Plain and simple. NFL is so cooked.

— Rooster (@117Rooster) September 7, 2025

Some fans couldn’t believe what they were seeing. One fan questioned the call entirely: “Why wasn’t that a Penix fumble?”

Why wasn’t that a Penix fumble?

— Ethan🫐 (@SoftlyAugust) September 7, 2025

This fan showed their frustration in trying to understand how the referees decided to call the play, “If he ‘gave himself up’ the ball should be placed where it was when he first gave himself up, which was short of the 1.”

If he “gave himself up” the ball should be placed where it was when he first gave himself up, which was short of the 1

— ProFreedom🍌🥜 (@ContntofChrchtr) September 7, 2025

While upset in the moment, the Buccaneers got the last laugh. Egbuka hauled in his second touchdown of the day to regain the lead, and Tampa Bay beat the Falcons 23-20.

In Week 2, Atlanta faces a tough road matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Starting 0-2 would be far from ideal for the Falcons, and if Drake London is sidelined, Penix Jr. and the offense will be under pressure to adjust quickly.