NFC South divisional rivals Tampa Bay and Atlanta face-off for the first of two meetings this season on Sunday afternoon. Both teams have identical 3-7 records. The Falcons lead the all-time series 27-24 and have won the last five games, including a 34-32 victory on the road last year. The last time the Bucs defeated the Falcons in Atlanta was on Sept. 11, 2016.
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Buccaneers vs. Falcons
When: Sunday, November 24
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)
The Buccaneers have one of the best offenses in the league, but turnovers once again cost Tampa Bay in a 34-17 home loss to NFC South opponent New Orleans. Jameis Winston completed 30 of 51 passes for 313 yards and two touchdowns, but also four interceptions. Winston is third in the NFL with 3,078 yards, but he also leads the league with 18 interceptions this season. Those turnovers helped the Saints jump out to a 20-0 lead early. The running game was non-existent with just eight plays. If the Bucs can establish the run game, they can open up the play-action pass where Winston can be a little more mobile and throw to arguably the best 1-2 wide receiver combination in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Evans and Godwin are ranked second and third in receiving with 993 and 887 yards, respectively.
Tampa’s defensive front is one of the best in the league and it is ranked second when it comes to stopping the run. Last weekend they were limited to just one sack. Drew Brees threw for 228 yards and three touchdowns, including numerous balls to Michael Thomas. It doesn’t get any easier with a much improved Falcons offense led by quarterback Matt Ryan and speedy wide receivers Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. Tampa Bay is last in points allowed (31.3) and second to last in pass yards allowed (290.9).
After starting 1-7, the Falcons have won their last two games and it couldn’t have come at a better time. They beat NFC South opponents, New Orleans and Carolina, holding them to just 12 combined points. Against the Panthers, Matt Ryan threw for 311 yards and one touchdown for the third best passing attack in the league with an average of 300.3 YPG. While the Bucs have a solid 1-2 punch, the Falcons do as well with Jones and Ridley. Last weekend, Ridley led the team with eight catches for 141 yards and one touchdown, while Jones hauled in six balls for 91 yards. Jones is ranked fifth in the league with 992 yards and is certain to break the 1,000 mark on Sunday.
Offensive coordinator Dierk Koetter and Raheem Morris, the Falcons assistant head coach and secondary coach, both spent time as the head coach of the Buccaneers. We’ll see how that helps on Sunday. One area that hasn’t needed a ton of help has been the defense. The unit has held the Saints and Panthers in back-to-back weeks to no offensive touchdowns and combined for 11 sacks. Last weekend, the defense picked off Kyle Allen four times led by De’Vondre Campbell, who had 12 tackles and one interception. If the Falcons defense can force Jameis Winston out of his rhythm and create turnovers, this game will play right into Atlanta’s hands.
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