Matt Ryan was clutch once again this past Sunday, leading a game-winning drive against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. He went 28-for-35 for 288 yards and three TDs, including one that made the Falcons regain the lead with only 31 ticks left. Atlanta moved into a 5-3 card with that 33-32 win.
The Falcons, for once, didn’t have Julio Jones as the team’s top receiver for the game, as they got some big lift from off-season pick-up Mohammed Sanu, who had nine receptions for 84 yards and one TD grab.
This coming Thursday, expect Jones and Sanu to have great yardage under their names, with the Buccaneers allowing an opposing receiver to have 90 or more yards in six of their seven games this season. Atlanta’s 1-2 punch in the backfield, Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, may once again split 18-23 carries, but they should also see some action in the aerial attack.
On defense, they have to be more aggressive, especially in defending the pass. They are allowing opposing QBs to complete 68 percent of their passes for 285.3 yards per game.
The Falcons are 4-1 SU (5-0 ATS) in their last five games on the road.
The Bucs were lucky to only lose by six points to the Raiders. They flat-out couldn’t stop Derek Carr, who was like Picasso out there. He painted a perfect picture of how awful the pass defense he was facing, throwing for 513 yards and four TDs with no picks.
As the Bucs go head-to-head with division rival Atlanta Falcons for Week 9, the D will be surely extra busy once again. Let’s see if Tampa Bay will be able to make all the necessary adjustments, because they can be easily carved up by Ryan, the league leader in passing yards (2,636 – 329.5 per game) and passing touchdowns (19).
Second-year QB Jameis Winston will also be a key to the team’s victory. Winston should have zero worries versus the Falcons defense, as he was able to complete 23 of 32 passes for 281 yards in their Week 1 clash, while also throwing four TDs and eluding all pass rushers. His backfield help in the past couple of games, Jacquizz Rodgers, is unlikely to play, leaving the Bucs to be on a committee of Antone Smith and Peyton Barber.
Tampa Bay has lost five straight games at home (0-5 ATS).
