Power struggle in NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons preview
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons have identical records, but it seems only the Falcons are being taken seriously. That’s because last year the Buccaneers were 3-13 while the Falcons managed
to finish 9-7 despite a barrage of injuries during the season. Tampa Bay may be young, and many thought they were in rebuild year number two. But as they've proved, just because you’re rebuilding doesn’t mean you can’t win.
Coach Raheem Morris has stated that his Buccaneers are the best team in the NFC. Some were shocked when he said it, but Morris stands by it.
"I really believe it," Morris said in a conference call with Atlanta media. "If you don't, no one ever will. That's what we are doing right now. I'm believing in this young football team, they are believing
in their young head coach and we are believing together."
That may be the biggest factor of all. The Buccaneers may not be as good as their coach says they are, but they believe it, and a confident opponent is always dangerous. The Buccaneers have a great opportunity
to make a case for themselves. The Falcons are considered by many to actually be the NFC’s best team. With a win in Atlanta, more people will start believing Morris.
It’s going to be difficult for them, as Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has won his last 12 starts at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons are also coming off their bye week, following Ryan’s best performance of
the season in a 39-32 win over Cincinnati two weeks ago. In his career, Ryan is 16-1 at home.
A reason for Tampa Bay’s early season success is the play of second-year quarterback Josh Freeman. Freeman has led his team to winning fourth-quarter drives in each of the last two weeks, winning 18-17
over St. Louis two weeks ago and 38-35 over Arizona last week. In fact four of the Buccaneers’ five wins have been decided by three points or less.
That may prove to be difficult to win in a close game in the Georgia Dome. The Buccaneers may be 5-2 but they’re yet to beat one of the league’s upper-tier teams. All of their wins have been against teams
at .500 or less, while their two losses came against two teams over .500. Now, they have one of the conference’s top teams facing them.
If the Buccaneers intend to pull off the upset, they’ll have to shut down Roddy White. White is the league’s leading receiver with 54 receptions for 747 yards and five touchdowns. The Buccaneers’ defence
has been exposed several times this season, including allowing 21 unanswered points to the Cardinals last Sunday. Also, in their two losses, the defence gave up over 30 points, against the Steelers and the Saints.
The Buccaneers do not look impressive statistically, but they keep finding ways to win. They’ve found their number one running back as well in LaGarrette Blount. Blount has 222 yards on 43 carries and
three touchdowns. The Buccaneers granted Blount the starting job after Cadillac Williams was ineffective. Williams has nearly double the attempts of Blount, with fewer yards. That will change, because Blount will be getting a lot of carries Sunday.
The Buccaneers have yet to prove they can beat a tough team, while the Falcons have. With Ryan having only lost one game at home in his entire career, it’s hard to go against the Falcons Sunday. Kickoff
is at 1:00 pm from the Georgia Dome.
Prediction:
Falcons 25-20 Buccaneers
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