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 defense for the Bucs as they take on rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder and the Falcons offense in Week 18.

DT Akiem Hicks vs. RG Chris Lindstrom

Now that Ali Marpet has retired, Lindstrom has become the NFC’s Marpet. The division’s dominant guard rarely loses a rep and has surrendered just two sacks and allowed only nine pressures all season. Lindstrom has been flagged just twice this year and has earned a 95 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. At 6-foot-3, 307 pounds, Lindstrom, a first-year Pro Bowler, wins with grit, strength and technique and will be hard for Hicks to beat.

Hicks has dealt with a foot injury for most of the season that caused him to miss six games. It’s robbed him of some of his quickness since his return, evidenced by a lack of sacks this season. Like Will Gholston, Hicks has yet to record a sack. But at 6-foot-4, 335 pounds, Hicks has been a reliable run stuffer this year, especially teamed with Vita Vea. He’ll have to hold his ground against Lindstrom in the ground game after missing the Bucs’ 21-15 win over the Falcons in Week 5.
ADVANTAGE: Lindstrom

LB Devin White vs. Tyler Allgeier

Bucs LB Devin White and Falcons RB Tyler Allgeier – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Allgeier has had a really good rookie season in Atlanta, rushing for 900 yards and earning an impressive 87 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. The 5-foot-11, 220-pounder is a real tackle-breaker and has averaged 99 yards rushing per game over the last three weeks. He’s shown improvement as a receiver this season, but where Allgeier does his damage is on the ground, evidenced by his 4.8 yards per carry average.

White has really played better over the second half of the Bucs season. He’s made fewer gaffes and done a better job of getting off blocks and not missing tackles. At 6-foot, 237 pounds, White has the power to stop Allgeier in his tracks. He’ll have to tackle lower and wrap up against the rookie power back, in addition to beating him in pass protection on blitzes.
ADVANTAGE: Push

CB Jamel Dean vs. WR Drake London

The Falcons move London around, so he’ll see action against slot cornerback Antoine Winfield Jr., Sean Murphy-Bunting and Dean. Atlanta’s first-round pick leads the team with 66 catches for 746 yards (11.4 avg.) and four touchdowns. He’s been targeted 109 times this year, which is twice as many times as any other Falcons receiver. Rookie Desmond Ridder will be looking London’s way often on Sunday.

Dean held London to just one catch for no yards in the first matchup in Week 5. He’s dealing with a sore toe, so he may not be as effective on Sunday as he was in the previous matchup. Due to his injury, Dean might not play the whole game and could give way to rookie Zyon McCollum. Then it might be a more far fight for London. But when Dean plays he should be able to handle the 6-foot-4, 213-pound rookie.
ADVANTAGE: Dean

OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka vs. QB Desmond Ridder

Bucs OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Ridder is making his fourth start at quarterback for Atlanta. The Falcons’ third-round pick got his first win as an NFL starter in last week’s 20-19 victory over the Cardinals. He’s completed 63.5 percent of his passes for 484 yards this season, but has yet to throw a touchdown or an interception. He’s been sacked a total of seven times, but only once last week against Arizona. The Falcons are having Ridder get rid of the ball quickly, evidenced by his longest pass only traveling 26 yards.

Tryon-Shoyinka is coming off a great game against Carolina and nearly had a pair of sacks. He’s only had four sacks this season and is due for another big game. One of those sacks came against Falcons in Week 5 against Marcus Mariota. Ridder is mobile, but not as mobile as Mariota and he should be able to get the rookie on the ground.
ADVANTAGE: Tryon-Shoyinka

OLB Anthony Nelson vs. LT Jake Matthews

Matthews has been a mainstay on the Falcons offensive line for nine seasons and is still playing at a high level. He’s only been to one Pro Bowl (2018), but that’s partly due to Atlanta’s lack of success in recent years. Matthews has surrendered four sacks and 17 pressures this season and will have his hands full against Nelson, who’s on a hot streak.

Nelson is tied for second on the team with 5.5 sacks, which is a new career high. He leads the team with three forced fumbles, and has back-to-back strip sacks in the last two games. Nelson has 2.5 sacks in the last three games and wins with length and tenacity. He’ll give Matthews all he can handle on Sunday rushing from Ridder’s blind side.
ADVANTAGE: Nelson