One of the biggest NFL games this weekend will be between the Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It’s for first place in the NFC South as well as the best record in the conference. Both teams are coming in knowing that a lot is on the line in this Week 9 contest.
The Falcons are coming into the game well-rested, as they had a bye last week. It was an opportunity for players to rest and take their mind off football before getting back to work this week. It was an also a time for players who were suffering from injuries to get healthy. One player that should make his return Sunday is Dunta Robinson who suffered a concussion two weeks ago in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He was cleared to practice Tuesday and returned to practice Wednesday in a limited role. Other players that are trying to return Sunday are Sean Weatherspoon (knee) and Ovie Mughelli (hamstring).
As far as the players that are healthy, Roddy White is looking to have another big game after having an 11 reception, 201-yard performance against Cincinnati nearly two weeks ago. However, the Tampa Bay pass defense is stout, as they are ranked 12th in the NFL when it comes to yards allowed per game. It will be a challenge for the current NFC Offensive Player of the Month, but with the way he practices and works to get better every time he steps onto the field, White should have a solid day Sunday.
If the Falcons are going to win, they are going to have to do what they do best, which is run the football and stop the ground attack of the Bucs. Atlanta is ranked fifth in rush yards per game (137.4) and Michael Turner is ranked 11th in the NFL in rush yards (587). As for rush defense, the Falcons are ranked sixth in rush yards allowed (95.9) and have not allowed a running back to rush for 100 yards since the second week of the season when Arizona running back Tim Hightower rushed for 115 yards.
The Falcons should be able to run the ball against Tampa Bay and stop the Bucs’ running attack because the Bucs’ defense allows nearly 150 rush yards per game and ranked 18th in rush yards per game and their leading rusher LaGarrette Blount only has 222 yards on 43 carries.
Atlanta comes into this game as a nine point favorite, which is a lot of points for a NFL game. This doesn’t mean they are going to take the Bucs lightly because Tampa Bay is coming into the game with a lot of momentum, winning their last two games. If the Falcons can control the clock and hammer the Bucs with the run game, the Falcons should win with no problems. And with Bucs head coach Raheem Morris claiming his team is the best in the NFC, the Falcons would love nothing more than to show Morris who the best team in the NFC really is.
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