Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers preview: Week Three

The Atlanta Falcons were carrying a great deal of momentum into their match-up with the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday, but after a systematic beat-down, the team is back to square one as they host the rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday evening. It is always interesting when the attention of the entire nation is on the Georgia Dome, as it will be with a nationally televised broadcast on Thursday, but it also raises expectations, and the Falcons have a tall task ahead of them. Let’s break down the match-up.

Opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Time/TV: 8:25 pm ET (Thursday), CBS

Falcons Offense vs. Buccaneers Defense

Would you believe that Matt Ryan still leads the NFL in passing yards? It was a less than stellar performance for Ryan in Cincinnati, but thanks to the damage he did in the opener, that is still accurate, and this isn’t a devastating match-up for the quarterback. Tampa Bay ranks 16th in the league against the pass this season, and more importantly, the Bucs have a defensive line that is battling a great deal of injury concerns, including DE Michael Johnson and All-Pro DT Gerald McCoy. That, and the potential return of Jake Matthews, should help to keep Ryan “clean” throughout the night, and as a result, he could have a big day.

On the ground, this Falcons team is always an adventure, with four running backs that could be on the field at any time. Atlanta has managed to be better than advertised (read: not terrible) in the running game this season, averaging 110 yards per game, and that would be beneficial against the Bucs. Linebacker Lavonte David is one of the best in the league at his position, and he’ll need to be occupied by a blocker at all times.

Overall, the Tampa Bay defense is quite talented, but if they are without McCoy and/or Johnson, the group suddenly looks rather ordinary. The Matt Ryan-led Falcons have always been infinitely better offensively in their home building, and there is no reason to think that would change on Thursday.

Falcons Defense vs. Buccaneers Offense

This is always the area of greater concern for Atlanta, but fortunately, the Bucs don’t exactly present a terrifying match-up. The Falcons are currently 31st in the league against the pass, allowing 317.5 yards per game, but Tampa Bay QB Josh McCown has been one of the worst players in the league at the position this season, producing just 362 yards through the air over two games. McCown was resurgent under Marc Trestman in Chicago last season, but as a journeyman, there is a real chance that he is simply mediocre, and that favors a passing defense that simply hasn’t been able to generate anything resembling a consistent pass rush.

The Bucs are also battling injuries in the backfield, as incumbent starting running back Doug Martin is highly questionable after missing week two with a knee issue. Tampa Bay was more than effective on the ground last week, thanks to a 144-yard performance from backup Bobby Rainey, but even if Rainey is effective, their depth takes quite a hit if Martin is unavailable. As far as other weapons are concerned, the visiting Bucs are blessed with two massive targets on the outside in Vincent Jackson and rookie Mike Evans, but they are also dependent on McCown’s ability to accurately direct the ball.

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To put it bluntly, the Atlanta Falcons are better than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in my opinion. Both teams have injury concerns, with both Roddy White and Jake Matthews nowhere near full health for Atlanta (despite positive reports in lead-up to the game), but Tampa is more battered at this stage, and in the Georgia Dome, it would be a disaster if the Falcons ended up on the wrong side of the scoreboard at approximately midnight on the East Coast.

Stay tuned for post-game coverage, and a live game thread that is already up as of this morning. Be sure to follow ATL All Day for the latest on the Atlanta Falcons.