Game Time: 1pm
Location: at Atlanta
Field: Domed
Field: ADVANTAGE ATLANTA
Opening game so the crowd is going to be into the game which will give the Falcons a decided home filed advantage for the game.
Quarterbacks: Winston vs. Ryan. Ryan has the experience edge over Winston but statistically both quarterbacks were about the same although Ryan was more prone to throw INTS and fumbles. Both are going into year two with the same offense so you can expect better play from both.
ADVANTAGE ATLANTA
Running back: Martin/Sims vs. Freeman/Coleman. Martin was 2nd in the league last season in rushing and Sims provided another 529 yards. Freeman got over 1,000 yards and Coleman added another 392. Everyone is reported healthy.
ADVANTAGE BUCS
Wide Receivers: Evans/Jackson/Humpfries vs. Jones/Sanu/Hardy. Jones is clearly a class above Evans/Jackson but Jackson and Humpfries had more production than Sanu and Hardy did last season. Tough one to call although I expect Ryan to favor Jones while I think Winston will spread the ball. Calling it even.
EVEN
Tight Ends: Brate/ASJ vs. Tamme/Hooper. Really don't know much about the Atlanta tight ends, Tamme had more receptions than either of the two Bucs TEs but Hooper is basically a rookie. Calling it even.
EVEN
Offensive Lines: Atlanta's line was horrible last season but they've upgraded while the Bucs line might have regressed with the loss of Mankins. Both Ryan and Winston have done off season body conditioning to be more mobile. Unsure if there is an advantage at this point. Calling it even.
EVEN
Defensive Line: Maybe it's my homer glasses, but I see a lot more pressure from the Bucs front four compared to Atlanta's. If the Bucs 14 sacks in the preseason wasn't a mirage, this unit could be the best we've had in a while while Atlanta is still looking for pressure. Have to give the Bucs the advantage here.
ADVANTAGE BUCS
Linebackers: David/Alexander/Smith vs. Beasley/Woorilow/Weatherspoon. Beasley has underachieved and Weatherspoon was a backup in Arizona last season. I like the Bucs linebackers MUCH better as all three had more tackles last year than any Atlanta linebacker.
ADVANTAGE BUCS
Secondary: Again, I don't know a lot about the Altanta secondary, but as we found out in the past, if you don't have pressure up front then the secondary no matter how talented is going to have a hard time. Again, looking at the preseason pressure that the Bucs brought, I think our secondary is better than Atlanta. However, Atlanta does have the advantage of playing in the same defensive scheme for the second year while the Bucs are in a new one under Smith. I like the Bucs secondary more, honestly on talent alone, but experience in the system makes the difference.
ADVANTAGE ATLANTA
Special Teams: Really don't know much here. At this point Bryant is proven, Aquayo isn't. You have to give the advantage to the guy you know is mostly money.
ADVANTAGE ATLANTA
Intangibles: Mike Smith comes back to Atlanta for his first game since being Head Coach. The Bucs defense is going to sell out to get the win. That might be good or it might lead to costly mistakes trying to do more than your job. Still, it will motivate the Bucs especially since Koetter is now the Head Coach.
ADVANTAGE BUCS
I like our chances, but it's going to come down to Penalties and who takes care of the ball better. It mostly always does.
My prediction: Bucs 24 Atlanta 21
