Atlanta Falcons Host Division Rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Atlanta Falcons (6-1) enter their Week 8 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-4) as a 7-point home favorite. Can the Atlanta Falcons move to 7-1?

The Atlanta Falcons host their division rival in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this afternoon at 1 PM ET. Atlanta is the only team in the NFC South without a victory in the division. Granted, the Falcons have only played one game in the South this season, a loss at New Orleans on Thursday Night Football to begin Week 6, 31-21.

What do the Atlanta Falcons need to do to beat the Bucs at home to move to 7-1 on the year? Play Atlanta Falcons football, plain and simple. Matt Ryan plays great at home (42-15) and has dominated the Bucs in his first seven years in the league (10-4). Ryan’s lone loss at home to Tampa Bay was in the final game of the 2012 Regular Season, when the Falcons had already locked up the top seed in the NFC before their Week 17 matchup with the Bucs.

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Last season, the Atlanta Falcons swept the Buccaneers for the first time since 2010. Atlanta routed Tampa Bay 56-14 on Thursday Night Football in Week 3 the last time the Bucs came to town. The Atlanta Falcons should win this game this afternoon. However, this is still a divisional game and there are significant changes made to both rosters since they last met a year ago.

Atlanta has a new coming regime in Flowery Branch. Going 5-1 in the NFC South wasn’t good enough for former HC Mike Smith to keep his job. 6-10 overall didn’t cut it in 2014. Enter Dan Quinn and his staff. The Atlanta Falcons have matched their win total from last season already and should contend for a playoff spot with their soft schedule going forward.

Tampa Bay selected 2013 Heisman Trophy Winner QB Jameis Winston first overall in the 2015 NFL Draft. The Bucs have former Atlanta Falcons OC Dirk Koetter calling plays for them now. With Winston’s obvious talents and the weapons that he has to work with, this could become the best offense Tampa Bay has ever had. Remember, the Bucs have historically been a strong defensive team when they are competitive.

In the first seven weeks of the season, it seems that both teams are better than they were last year, as both clubs have tied their win totals from the year before already (Atlanta 6, Tampa Bay 2). The 4-3 Under Base Defense of Dan Quinn and the Zone Blocking Scheme of Kyle Shanahan are doing well in their first year in Atlanta.

The secondary, linebackers, and running game is vastly improved already. Atlanta’s pass rush is still a work in progress and the passing game hasn’t been as crisp as it was last year. The special teams unit seems to have taken a step back in recent weeks.

Tampa Bay seems to have balance on offense, with Winston under center, an improved offensive line, and a resurgent running back in third-year pro Doug Martin. The defensive line for the Bucs is as strong as ever, led by All-Pro DT Gerald McCoy. The problems with Tampa are in the secondary, the kicking game, and dealing with the shortcomings of starting a rookie quarterback.

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Atlanta could get to the playoffs and Tampa Bay could get to six or seven wins. I see this game coming down to turnovers, quarterback play, and the secondary. While Matt Ryan has played erratic the last three weeks, I have a feeling that he plays his best game of the season today and out-duels Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers here in Atlanta in Week 8 to move to 7-1.

Prediction: Atlanta Falcons 35, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24

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