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Your Keys To The Bucs / Falcons Game


JOEinPHX

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I find myself in the position of having close ties to both teams, so this week's matchup is of more than usual interest. I've been thinking about keys to the game.

For the Falcons I think it's 'run and stop the run'. This might be a difficult game for Ryan (more on that later) so I think the Falcons run game will have to be in sync. On the flip side, TB also has a potent run game led by a resurrected Doug Martin - the Falcons will have to stop him or else his success will nullify whatever success Freeman and Coleman have.

For the Bucs it's all about pressure. I think their front four can give the Falcons Oline fits in pass pro, which is why I say Ryan may struggle. Keeping Ryan off balance is probably their best route to a win. If they can't keep him off balance he can shred the Tampa 2 zone.

And finally, the X factor. Penalties and mistakes. Tampa leads the league in penalties per game and I think it's safe to say they'd be 4-2 if they were even middle of the pack in that stat. If they hand opportunities to Atlanta the way they handed them to Washington and Houston nothing else will matter.

Your thoughts?

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I think Ryan bounces back this week. The Bucs will get a couple of sacks but Ryan has seen that Tampa 2 shell coverage so much. If he (Ryan) can't bounce back this week then I think it's just destined he's going to have a subpar year.

Martin does scare me a bit, but it's the strongest part of Tampa's attack going against the strength of Atlanta's D. If Jackson was on the field with Evans I'd be more concerned about Winston getting the Bucs passing game revved up.

The Falcons have been so underwhelming the past few weeks. They have more talent than the Bucs do but will that translate to the field?

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I anticipate only two heart attacks Sunday in the dome... and a sore throat Monday morning...

You and me both.

I watch every Falcons game like my entire savings is riding on the outcome. That's right, all $40.00.

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Pressure on Ryan could be a very bad thing for us. Even though we have a good run game, we all know from past experience if you become one-dimensional, the defense can focus on that and stop it. Hopefully our running game will prevail and will help to ease the front 7 pressure on Ryan and he'll have a chance to get in to a rhythm early on.

Have to admit I'm concerned they'll be able to gain some yards and burn time off the clock with Martin and their passing game vs our loose zone, no-pass-rush defense. That could be worrisome if they get the lead. Playing at home may well turn out to be just enough of an advantage on both sides of the ball to give us a comfortable victory finally.

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The Falcons are going to need to start fast and strong in this game. I hope they test the rookie QB by rushing 4 and 5 guys often but not too often. I think the Falcons D will do just fine with containing Martin, but I worry about the whole 3 man front and them giving Winston to much time to roll out, throw or take off running. This Falcons D is going to have to start getting more pressure, and I don't think they'll have to disquise their looks with Winston to do it.

On offense, I hope the OL can play through the whistle every time, because I've noticed Chester, Levitre and Stone giving up before the whistle blows and letting bad things happen. Run, run and then run some more. Throw after you get these guys gassed with the run. Keep the Tampa offense off the field, and ware the Bucs D down.

Edited by 4dabirds
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can someone explain to me why Collins is getting playtime on the outside? he didn't really impress me plus i saw him lose his guy a few times last week and just lucky the ball didn't come that way. i figured alford on the outside is still better or is adams that bad at nickel?

Because that's what the coaches want.

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Because that's what the coaches want.

Baptism by fire. If Quinn, Smith and Raheem Morris think Collins is up for the job then who are we to squash the idea?

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It is really odd for me to be confident. I'm not sure how to deal with it. That said, I just feel like Ryan and the offense are ready to go off on someone. I didn't feel that way against Tennessee or Washington. I certainly didn't feel that way against Houston. However, I sense an offensive explosion this week.

I understand the sentiment that we need to run to keep the pass rush off of Ryan. However, the Bucs back up that D-line with a suspect secondary. In most cases, our receivers are going to win quicker than the D-line can get there. There may be a "whiff" or two by the O-line where Ryan gets sacked. However, in general, I think the ball is coming out early and often. If we do run the ball well, and I think we will, our play action is going to lead to multiple big gains.

I agree with the general assessment of Tampa's strengths in this thread. However, their weaknesses have going largely overlooked.

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