Each week Pewter Report takes a look at the matchups to watch in the upcoming Bucs game. Here are the five key matchups to watch on offense for the Bucs as they take the Falcons defense in Week 18.

WR Chris Godwin vs. CB Isaiah Oliver

Oliver might be playing the best of anyone on Atlanta’s defense right now. The former second-round pick is having his best season in his fifth year, not allowing a touchdown for the first time in his career. The 6-foot, 208-pound Oliver plays in the slot and has the size to match up well with Godwin. He has one interception and three pass breakups on the year, in addition to a sack from blitzing from the slot. Oliver is the highest-graded Falcons defender according to Pro Football Focus with a 78.3 overall grade.

Godwin has made a remarkable comeback from a torn ACL on December 19, 2021. With 968 receiving yards, Godwin needs just 32 more yards on Sunday to reach 1,000 yards this season. That will mark the third time Godwin has gone over 1,000 yards in his seven-year Bucs career. Godwin also has a team-high 98 catches this season and needs just nine more to break the team’s single-season record of 106, which was set by Keyshawn Johnson in 2001. He’ll be highly motivated to win this battle against Atlanta’s best DB.
ADVANTAGE: Godwin

LG Nick Leverett vs. DT Grady Jarrett

Bucs QB Tom Brady and Falcons DT Grady Jarrett – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Jarrett is pretty much the pass rush in Atlanta these days. The Falcons have just 21 sacks as a team, and Jarrett leads the way with six, in addition to his 43 total pressures. Jarrett, a two-time Pro Bowler (2018, 2020) will see action against both Leverett and right guard Shaq Mason, but he’s yet to square off against Leverett. Back in Week 5 Jarrett abused struggling rookie left guard Luke Goedeke for a sack that was wiped out due to a questionable roughing the passer call, as well as posting a season-high six pressures.

Leverett will get his first crack at Jarrett, who at age 29, is still in his pass-rushing prime. Since taking over at left guard for the Bucs at midseason in Week 8, Leverett has yet to surrender a sack. He’s only allowed four quarterback hits and eight pressures this season. Leverett’s fearless, scrappy playing style has served the Bucs’ offensive line well. Yet he’ll get his toughest test of the year going against the ultra-quick Jarrett in Atlanta in Week 18.
ADVANTAGE: Jarrett

RB Rachaad White vs. LB Rashaan Evans

Evans, a former first-round pick in 2018, has really come into his own. Since replacing Deion Jones in the middle of the Falcons defense, Evans has led Atlanta with 154 tackles this year, in addition to four pass breakups and two sacks. Evans has also forced a fumble and recovered two, which demonstrates how much he’s around the football. Whether it’s taking on White or Leonard Fournette in the hole or covering them out of the backfield, Evans has to bring his “A” game if the Falcons are going to win.

White has been the starter in recent weeks, but it’s been Fournette who has wound up with more snaps, more touches and more production at the end of the game. The Bucs rookie has 466 rushing yards and should finish the year with over 500 with a good showing in Atlanta. With Tampa Bay expected to rest some of its starters in Week 18, Fournette could get a reduced workload this week. That would mean more carries and more targets for White in the passing game.
ADVANTAGE: Push

WR Mike Evans vs. CB A.J. Terrell

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Terrell is the Falcons’ top outside cornerback, which isn’t saying much, and he’s struggled to defend Evans in the past. In fact, Evans lit him up for four catches for 81 yards back in a 21-15 loss at Tampa Bay in Week 15. At 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, Terrell has adequate size to match up against Evans, but just hasn’t been able to slow him down – much less shut him down. Terrell has had an awful season, surrendering eight touchdowns and not picking off a single pass.

Evans has feasted on man coverage throughout his career. Look no further than his 10-catch, 207-yard, three-touchdown day last week in a 30-24 Bucs win over Carolina to clinch the NFC South title. That performance earned Evans the NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Evans has now scored 10 touchdowns against both Atlanta and Carolina, which is the most against any team he’s faced in his career. The reason? The Falcons and Panthers both play a lot of single-high safety coverage (Cover 1, Cover 3), which usually leaves Evans in man coverage. Evans may not play the entire game, but he’ll make some big plays against Terrell while he’s in there.
ADVANTAGE: Evans

LT Brandon Walton vs. OLB Arnold Ebiketie

Ebiketie, the Falcons’ second-round pick, has 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and 28 quarterback pressures during his rookie season. At 6-foot-3, 256 pounds, he has ideal size to play outside linebacker in Atlanta’s 3-4 defense, but he lacks tremendous speed and get-off, which prevents him from being an every down pass rushing threat. Ebiketie splits time with starter Adetokubo Ogundeji, so Walton will have to prepare to face Ogundeji on early downs and Ebiketie on third downs and obvious pass rushing downs.

Walton will be filling in for starter Donovan Smith at left tackle, as Smith is out with a foot injury. Walton has some playing time experience, most recently for the Bucs at Arizona on Christmas night. The 6-foot-5, 300-pounder also played most of the game at New Orleans in Week 2 and started at left tackle in Week 3 against Green Bay. He’s allowed one sack and five pressures in limited duty this year, and Ebiketie’s quickness and ability to bend could give him some problems in Atlanta on Sunday.
ADVANTAGE: Push