This game could very well be for the division right here. The Buccaneers are 1-1 in the NFC South, Falcons are 3-0 in the division and both teams are tied in actual record. And given how competitive the wildcard race is, the Bucs may need to lock the division up to have a chance of making it to the dance. So, this game is definitely must-win. Unfortunate considering who we’re missing, but we can still do it.
I’ll talk first about the unit on this team that I have the least faith in. The Bucs’ defense has to do something it has only done in spurts, be decent. Not even good, decent. At this point, I have no belief this will be a top ten unit unless serious progress is made. And the last time these teams met, well, we all know. K.J. Britt may be a double agent, but apparently he’s all we have.
The Falcons have weapons on the ground in Bijan and Tyler Allgeier, but good news is we can be assaulted through the air as well. The reason though the defense has to step up is because the Bucs offense won’t be able to carry as well. I truly don’t know if we can stop them through the air, but if we can, that might be enough to shut them down. Make Kirko uncomfortable and force some mistakes like the Seahawks did.
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This team will be down Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. That is not a typical recipe for winning games. However, we do have a trick up our sleeve. Its name is Liam Coen. The man has shown he can adapt to any situation like a chameleon changes colors. I have faith this man can get something done with our motley crew of WRs. Who will be the leading receiver today? Hell, it may very well be Ko Kieft. I can only hope the connection between Sterling Shepard and Baker is going strong and that Jalen McMillan can stop giving Baker interceptions. The biggest thing is that he needs to keep Baker from making stupid mistakes. Baker both against the Saints and Ravens seemed to fall apart after the first quarter for seemingly no reason. If that starts to happen, we need to run the football.
Hell, we should run the football more anyway. For the first time in a while, the Bucs’ running game isn’t a complete joke. It can actually do something. Remarkable I know. While I couldn’t tell you who the best running backs actually are, all three of them together form a great trio. The o-line has actually really taken form the past two weeks, which has contributed greatly to the Bucs ability to run the football (who could’ve seen that coming?).
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I never exactly thought this would be an easy win, but with everything we have lost, it has become infinitely harder. We are at home, which is a positive, but outside that, nothing is working for us. Well, except for the team playing for Godwin, which may provide a spark. This game, even with the Bucs depleted offense, has the potential to be a shootout. The Bucs will need to score a lot and score fast to get the Falcons off-kilter. Like I said, this defense has not convinced me it could stop Bama, much less an NFL team. The Buccaneers have a chance to take a lead in the division if they so desire to take it.
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