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Atlanta Falcons’ rivalry with Bucs to intensify in 2016

By John Buhler

Nov 30, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith cheers on his team after a field goal in the second quarter of their game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith cheers on his team after a field goal in the second quarter of their game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Falcons’ tertiary NFC South rivalry with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will certainly intensify in 2016 as a result of two key hirings by Tampa Bay.

Historically the Atlanta Falcons’ biggest rivalry has been with the New Orleans Saints, as both clubs have played each other biennially since the 1960s as members of the old NFC West and the NFC South since 2002.

Atlanta has had another strong rivalry with the Carolina Panthers since they joined the NFL in 1995 and are only a few hours north of the Falcons via I-85. The rivalry with the Panthers has intensified with native son Cam Newton playing like an MVP and quarterbacking Carolina to three straight NFC South Division titles.

However the Atlanta Falcons have not had the same sort of rivalry with the other NFC South team in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since these two NFC clubs only became divisional opponents with 2002’s realignment. Traditionally the Bucs’ biggest rivals now make up the NFC North, as Tampa Bay was part of the old NFC Central that featured the Chicago Bears, the Detroit Lions, the Green Bay Packers, and the Minnesota Vikings.

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Tampa Bay was a juggernaut in the NFC when 2002’s realignment happened to include the Houston Texans in a 32-team NFL. The Bucs won Super Bowl XXXVII over the Oakland Raiders in San Diego and were a force in the NFC until the Glazer family fired head coach Jon Gruden after 2008. Tampa Bay hasn’t made the NFC Playoffs since 2007.

However with a franchise quarterback in Jameis Winston and two key coaching staff changes, the Buccaneers are about to become a huge rival of the Atlanta Falcons like never before. Why you ask? Because the Atlanta Falcons’ former offensive coordinator and head coach are now the new head coach and the new defensive coordinator in Tampa Bay!

Yes, Dirk Koetter is now the Bucs’ head coach and he called upon his former head coach Mike Smith to become his defensive coordinator in 2016. Last season was the first year of the Koetter/Winston marriage in Tampa Bay and while the Bucs’ finished 6-10 and in last place in the NFC South, it was the defense that doomed the club, not the offense.

Koetter was a great passing game play caller for the Atlanta Falcons, as quarterback Matt Ryan had his best years with Dirk Koetter as his offensive coordinator (2012-14). The Tampa 2 Defense of former head coach Lovie Smith was hopelessly antiquated in a league that emphasizes the tight end more than ever and that was a huge reason he couldn’t stick with the Bucs beyond two years.

Mike Smith isn’t the most tactical defensive mind, but he is a great players’ coach and winning over the Tampa Bay locker room is nothing for a guy that took a perennial doormat in the Atlanta Falcons and turned them into the most consistent team in the NFC for five seasons (2008-12).

I’m not sure if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a sleeping giant now that Dirk Koetter and Mike Smith have once again joined forces, but that tandem should get that NFL franchise back into the NFC Playoffs within two years. The Bucs have talent and should Jameis Winston develop, along with better defensive scheme from the new staff, Tampa will certainly knock on the door of playoff contention again next season.

What having Koetter and Smith paired in the NFC South again means for the Atlanta Falcons is that every win the Buccaneers accumulate and every direct loss the Falcons have to Bucs will hurt a bit more than they did even the year before. We saw first hand that coaching partnership get Atlanta to an NFC Championship and within 10 yards of a Super Bowl. That duo can coach!

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The Atlanta Falcons have a top ten rivalry in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints. The Dirty Birds’ animosity with the Carolina Panthers isn’t going away anytime soon. Now there is an interesting twist with how the Atlanta Falcons view the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The enemy of our enemy isn’t our friend anymore. It’s time to sink the Bucs’ ship with conviction from 2016 on! Rise Up!

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