It’s Tuesday and we’re already in the middle of the practice week for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Coming off a huge win against Philadelphia, they’re focused on recovering their bodies to be ready Thursday night.
With it being such a huge early season game, these coaches are surely dialing up a game plan that has potential to duplicate Sunday's performance. After finally executing on six sacks defensively and getting off to a hot, efficient start offensively, this Buccaneers’ team improved in many areas that have been critiqued so far in 2024.
So now, as they prepare for a early season, divisional showdown, this Tampa Bay team will watch film on a new regime of coaches in Atlanta. New head coach Raheem Morris will get this Falcons’ defense ready for Mike Evans and company, as his offensive coordinator, Zac Robinson will scheme up with Kirk Cousins and the offense in a quick turnaround.
So where will the Bucs’ advantages be? Where can they be taken advantage of?
Here are a few key matchups heading into week five:
Bijan Robinson vs Tampa Bay Defense
So far, the Bucs’ defense ranks within the bottom third in the league as far as rushing defense, giving up an average of 131 yards through four games. With Vita Vea seemingly almost to full health and Calijah Kancey potentially to make his debut, this defense will only continue to revert back to the form they’re known for.
Falcons’ star RB Bijan Robinson is one of the most dynamic runners in the game and has taken a lead role in this offense, carrying the ball 14+ times in three games so far. Although only amassing 224 yards on the ground through four games, Robinson has seen receiving targets in every game and proves to be effective in more ways than one. His production isn’t where the team or Robinson would like to be, so expect plenty of touches for him early in an effort to get him into groove on national television. He has the ability to break one for a big gain and demands complete attention from linebackers.
With how this Tampa Bay defense was flying sideline-to-sideline on Sunday, you know they are feasting to reenact their dominant performance against a divisional opponent. Breakout linebacker SirVocea Dennis has been a perfect asset for this Bucs’ rush defense, but he will seemingly miss some time according to Todd Bowles. So it will be Lavonte David and K.J. Britt once again to helm the linebacker crew against Atlanta.
Baker Mayfield vs Atlanta Secondary
The Atlanta Falcons have been a surprise defensively, holding every opponent under 24 points so far in 2024. Under this newly-hired regime, head coach Raheem Morris and defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake, they are implementing a base 3-4 defense, opposed to the 4-3 they’ve been running the past few seasons. Anticipating the switch would come with learning curves, this team has hit the ground running and being led strong by new addition Matthew Judon and safety Jessie Bates III holding down the secondary.
This Falcons defense is the best in football at preventing 20+ yards, or explosive plays. They’ve allowed six total explosive plays and zero explosive touchdowns. Their defense has a knack for boxing their opponents in and keeping them one dimensional.
In a game where the Bucs will have to run the ball effectively, as they always should, it’s going to come down to Baker Mayfield’s ability to sustain drives and avoid turnovers. Take what the defense gives you, like this offense did against Philadelphia, and continue to rack up first downs. With A.J. Terrell matching up against Mike Evans, he will get his fair share of looks, as long as he isn’t double-teamed for the entirety of Thursday Night’s game.
Kirk Cousins vs Tampa Bay Red Zone Defense
Todd Bowles has approached this season with a bend, "don’t break" mentality. During select drives this season, it’s seemed as if opposing offenses take the short yardage given to them, and easily make their way down the field. But once they’ve gotten there, Tampa Bay has made it tough for teams to get into the end zone, finally giving up a passing touchdown last week to Jalen Hurts.
Through recent seasons, Atlanta has had glaring concerns in red zone efficiency. With the addition of Kirk Cousins to an already talented offense, it has been a focus that has been talked about but not completely fully executed. It’s a team effort, with a mixture of not being able to punch the ball in through the ground, or finding any of their receiving targets.
With the Bucs allowing opponents down the field with such ease so far this season and the red zone being an absolute point of focus for Atlanta, these Tampa Bay defenders cannot fall asleep and have to come through big when the Falcons are about to score.
These are just a few key matchups in Thursday Night’s game that could be the difference. There are plenty of individual battles that will take place, but these position battles will prove to be the difference in the success of both teams.
Bucs @ Falcons Game Information
When: Thursday, October 3rd 2024
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. ET
TV: Amazon Prime Video (Nationally), FOX 13 (Locally) - Al Michaels (Play-by-Play), Kirk Herbstreit (Color), Kaylee Hartung (Sideline Reporter)
Bucs Radio: 98Rock – Gene Deckerhoff (Play by Play), Dave Moore (Color), T.J. Rives (Reporter)
Spanish Radio: 96.1 Caliente – Carlos Bohorquez (Play by Play), Martín Gramática (Analyst), Santiago Gramatica (Sideline Reporter)
It’s Tuesday and we’re already in the middle of the practice week for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Coming off a huge win against Philadelphia, they’re focused on recovering their bodies to be ready Thursday night.
With it being such a huge early season game, these coaches are surely dialing up a game plan that has potential to duplicate Sunday's performance. After finally executing on six sacks defensively and getting off to a hot, efficient start offensively, this Buccaneers’ team improved in many areas that have been critiqued so far in 2024.
So now, as they prepare for a early season, divisional showdown, this Tampa Bay team will watch film on a new regime of coaches in Atlanta. New head coach Raheem Morris will get this Falcons’ defense ready for Mike Evans and company, as his offensive coordinator, Zac Robinson will scheme up with Kirk Cousins and the offense in a quick turnaround.
So where will the Bucs’ advantages be? Where can they be taken advantage of?
Here are a few key matchups heading into week five:
Bijan Robinson vs Tampa Bay Defense
So far, the Bucs’ defense ranks within the bottom third in the league as far as rushing defense, giving up an average of 131 yards through four games. With Vita Vea seemingly almost to full health and Calijah Kancey potentially to make his debut, this defense will only continue to revert back to the form they’re known for.
Falcons’ star RB Bijan Robinson is one of the most dynamic runners in the game and has taken a lead role in this offense, carrying the ball 14+ times in three games so far. Although only amassing 224 yards on the ground through four games, Robinson has seen receiving targets in every game and proves to be effective in more ways than one. His production isn’t where the team or Robinson would like to be, so expect plenty of touches for him early in an effort to get him into groove on national television. He has the ability to break one for a big gain and demands complete attention from linebackers.
With how this Tampa Bay defense was flying sideline-to-sideline on Sunday, you know they are feasting to reenact their dominant performance against a divisional opponent. Breakout linebacker SirVocea Dennis has been a perfect asset for this Bucs’ rush defense, but he will seemingly miss some time according to Todd Bowles. So it will be Lavonte David and K.J. Britt once again to helm the linebacker crew against Atlanta.
Baker Mayfield vs Atlanta Secondary
The Atlanta Falcons have been a surprise defensively, holding every opponent under 24 points so far in 2024. Under this newly-hired regime, head coach Raheem Morris and defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake, they are implementing a base 3-4 defense, opposed to the 4-3 they’ve been running the past few seasons. Anticipating the switch would come with learning curves, this team has hit the ground running and being led strong by new addition Matthew Judon and safety Jessie Bates III holding down the secondary.
This Falcons defense is the best in football at preventing 20+ yards, or explosive plays. They’ve allowed six total explosive plays and zero explosive touchdowns. Their defense has a knack for boxing their opponents in and keeping them one dimensional.
In a game where the Bucs will have to run the ball effectively, as they always should, it’s going to come down to Baker Mayfield’s ability to sustain drives and avoid turnovers. Take what the defense gives you, like this offense did against Philadelphia, and continue to rack up first downs. With A.J. Terrell matching up against Mike Evans, he will get his fair share of looks, as long as he isn’t double-teamed for the entirety of Thursday Night’s game.
Kirk Cousins vs Tampa Bay Red Zone Defense
Todd Bowles has approached this season with a bend, "don’t break" mentality. During select drives this season, it’s seemed as if opposing offenses take the short yardage given to them, and easily make their way down the field. But once they’ve gotten there, Tampa Bay has made it tough for teams to get into the end zone, finally giving up a passing touchdown last week to Jalen Hurts.
Through recent seasons, Atlanta has had glaring concerns in red zone efficiency. With the addition of Kirk Cousins to an already talented offense, it has been a focus that has been talked about but not completely fully executed. It’s a team effort, with a mixture of not being able to punch the ball in through the ground, or finding any of their receiving targets.
With the Bucs allowing opponents down the field with such ease so far this season and the red zone being an absolute point of focus for Atlanta, these Tampa Bay defenders cannot fall asleep and have to come through big when the Falcons are about to score.
These are just a few key matchups in Thursday Night’s game that could be the difference. There are plenty of individual battles that will take place, but these position battles will prove to be the difference in the success of both teams.
Bucs @ Falcons Game Information
When: Thursday, October 3rd 2024
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. ET
TV: Amazon Prime Video (Nationally), FOX 13 (Locally) - Al Michaels (Play-by-Play), Kirk Herbstreit (Color), Kaylee Hartung (Sideline Reporter)
Bucs Radio: 98Rock – Gene Deckerhoff (Play by Play), Dave Moore (Color), T.J. Rives (Reporter)
Spanish Radio: 96.1 Caliente – Carlos Bohorquez (Play by Play), Martín Gramática (Analyst), Santiago Gramatica (Sideline Reporter)