Atlanta Falcons: 5 Players to Watch vs. Tampa Bay
By John Buhler
Oct 25, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) runs for a first down during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. The Falcons won 10-7. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
. RB. Florida State. Devonta Freeman. 24. player. 44
Devonta Freeman has been the best running back in the NFL since Week 3. Outside of Week 4’s annihilation of the Houston Texans, Freeman has rushed for at least 100 yards since assuming the starting running back role for the Atlanta Falcons. The sole reason he didn’t break the century mark versus Houston was that most of the starters were strategically removed from the game before the start of the 4th quarter in that blowout.
Even when the offense struggled against Washington, New Orleans, and Tennessee in the last three weeks, Freeman has been the one to move the chains for the Atlanta Falcons. I see tomorrow’s game as no different, even if he is going against a Top 10 run defense in the Buccaneers. He did destroy then #1 rated Dallas in Arlington in Week 3.
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What I believe gives Devonta Freeman more of an emphasis to play well against Tampa Bay is that is former college quarterback plays for the Buccaneers. Together, Freeman and Winston helped win the Florida State Seminoles the 2013 BCS National Championship. Since both are tremendously competitive athletes, they will try to outplay each other on the offensive of the football.
If it comes to that, I believe it favors Freeman since a quarterback forcing throws is almost always a bad thing. Freeman’s ability to make people miss on his first, powerful cut, as well as receive out of the backfield makes him an eerie combination of Warrick Dunn, Marshall Faulk, and maybe even some Barry Sanders.
With Freeman playing at an All-Pro/MVP level at running back for the Atlanta Falcons, I see him rushing for over 100 yards, gaining over 150 all-purpose yards and scoring two touchdowns in this game to give the Falcons a strong fourth quarter lead over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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