The last time these two NFC South rivals met, the Atlanta Falcons were hosting the self-proclaimed “best team in the NFC.” Four weeks later, it is the Tampa Bay Bucs who are hosting the record-proclaimed best team in the NFC.
Tampa head coach Raheem Morris won’t be making anymore quips about being the class of the conference considering that the Bucs (7-4) are two games out of first place in their own division, but–at the same time–his young team does not appear to be going away anytime soon.
Tampa Bay is 2-1 since losing to the Falcons in a 27-21 thriller at the Georgia Dome on Nov. 7. After hammering Carolina at home 31-16 on Nov. 14, the Bucs went into San Francisco and put a 21-0 beatdown on the 49ers, who are still in contention in the NFC West. They are coming off a 17-10 loss at Baltimore last week; obviously nothing to be ashamed about considering the Ravens are 8-3 and were 65 second away from winning at Atlanta on Nov. 11.
“It was a very hard fought game against Tampa here in the Dome,” Falcons’ head coach Mike Smith said in his Monday press conference. “We know what we’re going to have to defend and we know how we’re going to have to attack their defense. They’re very familiar with us. I think it will be a typical NFC South game that will be very highly competitive. We were very fortunate to make some plays there at the end of the ballgame when they were up here.”
One of the big reasons for Tampa’s resurgence is a revitalized offense. During the team’s malaise throughout most of the previous decade, its offensive attack was a laughingstock of league, plagued by injuries and inconsistent quarterback play. Second-year signal-caller Josh Freeman is bringing an end to the quarterback woes.
The former Kansas State star was minus-8 in the touchdown-to-interception department in 10 games last season. This year he is +10 with a stellar 15 touchdowns and just five picks. Freeman has not thrown an interception in six of his last seven games. The only exception? Two against the Falcons.
Defensively, the Bucs are inconsistent but have been stingy of late. They are a dismal 27th in the NFL against the run but a solid ninth against the pass. Atlanta’s plan will be to get the running game going with Michael Turner, but Roddy White will have to find success against CB Aqib Talib in order to provide balance. Talib limited White to 49 yards on four catches in their previous matchup, though the receiver missed some time with a knee injury.
“I just want to go out there and kind of compete,” White told the AJC. “I always get riled up when I go against a good corner. I have to go out there, execute and just win my one-on-one battle.”
If the Falcons can win the overall battle, they will continue to lead both the division and the conference by at least one game. Should the Bucs prevail, they will be back in the NFC South race and remain firmly in playoff contention.
Recent meetings: The Falcons have won four straight and will be looking for their second consecutive season sweep. Last season in Tampa Bay, Atlanta came away with a 20-10 victory on January 3.
Injuries: Neither team is filling up a big injury report. Running back Jason Snelling is the only question mark for the Falcons. He has not practiced that week but Smith is optimistic that Snelling will be ready by Sunday. For the Bucs, linebackers Barrett Ruud and Dekoda Watson have been held out of practice this week, but they are expected to play.
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