Right when the 2010 schedule came out, Falcons fans were already anticipating a showdown at the Georgia Dome that would likely decide first place in the NFC South. Of course, they thought it was going to come on Monday night, Dec. 27 against the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints.
It still might, but first up is a first-place NFC South clash between the Falcons and the surprising Tampa Bay Bucs.
That’s right. Tampa Bay—the same Tampa Bay squad that went 3-13 last season—is 5-2 and tied atop the division with Atlanta. But to heck with just the division. Second-year coach Raheem Morris thinks the Bucs are the best team in the entire conference.
“We’re the best team in the NFC,” Morris announced after last week’s 38-35 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Best team in the NFC? In a word, no. Playoff team? Maybe. Much improved from last season? Okay, now we’re talking sense.
The Bucs are an impressive 3-0 on the road. Their defense has forced 18 turnovers, second most in the NFL. They boast a dynamic second-year quarterback in Josh Freeman, unquestionably the main reason behind Tampa Bay’s development. In his rookie season, the former Kansas State star tossed 10 touchdowns and an abysmal 18 interceptions in 10 games. Through seven games this year he has eight touchdowns and just three picks while completing 135 of 224 passes for 1533 yards.
However, Tampa Bay’s wins have been nothing to write home about. Morris’ team has defeated Carolina (1-6), Cleveland (2-5), Cincinnati (2-5), Arizona (3-4), and St. Louis (4-4). None of those teams is over .500.
The Bucs have faced two teams with winning records; Pittsburgh (5-2) and New Orleans (5-3). They got blown out by the Steelers 38-13 and—despite playing at home—were crushed by the Saints 31-6.
“Their coach is digging them a big hole, saying that stuff,” said Atlanta receiver Roddy White, who stomached trash talk from Bengals’ wideouts Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson before torching Cincinnati for 201 yards and two touchdowns. “Best team in NFC? C’mon. They lost to New Orleans—bad. And they still have to play us.
“We’re going to go out and try to make a statement about the best team in the NFC.”
Injuries: The Bucs are in good shape for this one. Their most significant injury problem involves center Jeff Faine (quadriceps), who is questionable. Faine was held out of practice on Thursday. The Falcons may have bigger concerns with Sean Weatherspoon (knee), Ovie Mughelli (hamstring), and Dunta Robinson (concussion) all listed as questionable. Weatherspoon and Mughelli did not practice on Thursday, but Robinson participated in full.
Recent meetings: The Falcons have won three straight against Bucs, including both of their encounters last season. On November 29 at the Georgia Dome, Atlanta pulled out a 20-17 victory. In the season finale at Tampa Bay on January 3, the Falcons handled the Bucs 20-10. The Falcons also prevailed 13-10 at the Georgia Dome on December 14, 2008.
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