It’s a short week, and that normally helps out the defenses. But these teams are very familiar with each other. Not necessarily last year’s team schemes, but with coaches. Zac Robinson and Liam Cohen come from the McVay coaching tree and were with the Rams at the same time for a period of time. Raheem has more success slowing down the Bucs offense in the past than Bowles has had slowing down a McVay offense. This game will come down to coaching.
Atlanta wins on offense: If they can take advantage of KJ Britt as a coverage LB. Britt has been coming out on most passing situations over the last 3 weeks because of his lack of athleticism and speed. Due to Dennis’ injury, Britt will now have to play in all situations. Can the Falcons find a way to take advantage of Britt with the likes of Robinson and Pitts? Also, Falcons’ OC, Zac Robinson needs to not reinvent the wheel. Attack Bowles defense the same way his prior head coach, Sean McVay, always attacked. Get the ball out of Cousin’s hand quickly and throw on first down. He needs to attack the Bucs, not let the Bucs attack them.
Tampa Bay wins on defense: If they can find a way to hide Britt in passing situations… or replace him with a safety. I’m worried that we will use Britt like we did Devin White, and just blitz him on every passing down. The Falcons will beat that scheme, more than the Bucs will win with that strategy. If Britt plays 100% of the time, I hope we take the approach we did with the Lions. By playing coverage and giving them the underneath stuff and making tackles. Of course sprinkle in Bowles blitzes at the right time, but be smart on 3rd and passing situations… and play some coverage.
Atlanta wins on defense: If they don’t let Baker get comfortable early. Falcons should not overplay the run defense on first downs and instead look for the Bucs to use the short passing game as their running game on early downs. The Falcons do like to blitz, and they can have success against the Bucs right side of the offensive line.
Tampa Bay wins on offense: If they take what the defense gives them, instead of coming out with a predetermined run to pass ratio. Don’t force the run game, let it come to them, like they did against the Eagles and Commanders. Open up the run with the passing game.
Bowles knows Britt is limited in pass defense. I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot more Dime in clear passing situations, with Bowles having Lavonte as the only off-the-ball Linebacker on the field.
It’s a short week, and that normally helps out the defenses.
Good point although i wonder about that here because the Bucs offense should be flying high and the Flacons offense must be full of question marks after that Saints game.
GO BUCS!
"The Falcons opened as 2.5-point favorites for Thursday's matchup (O/U 42.5), but the line has since dipped to -1.5. The Buccaneers (+185 to win the NFC South) and Falcons (+160) split the series last season, with each team winning on the road."
WTF is it with all these injuries? Sucks going into a key division game on the road! Just saw ATL wearing throwback tonight. TB will be rocking creamsicles vs ATL at RJS.
Bucs win if Vita Vea makes mincemeat out of the Falcons backup center and pushes him into Cousins.
Falcons win if Cousins can pick on KJ Britt and Koo gets to kick a half dozen field goals. We know the Bucs can "bend but not break", but don't allow Koo to bend you to death.
Going eh so far I dont like how we letting kirko cousis drive on us
I like mccollum but the hype aint warranted
He's still learning the game
Bucs win if
1) Bucky Irving doesn’t fumble the football late in the game where we could ice the game
2) Barton doesn’t have a frivolous holding penalty to take us out of field goal range
3) the play calling doesn’t go conservative in the second half after scoring on every drive in the first half
So yeah. The Bucs need to do something. They have the long week, so I hope they come up with something.
Falcons win if Cousins can pick on KJ Britt ....
