Buccaneers at Falcons: Five Game-Changing Players

Nov 9, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive line and Atlanta Falcons offensive line at the line of scrimmage during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Atlanta Falcons defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive line and Atlanta Falcons offensive line at the line of scrimmage during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Atlanta Falcons defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 9, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive line and Atlanta Falcons offensive line at the line of scrimmage during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Atlanta Falcons defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive line and Atlanta Falcons offensive line at the line of scrimmage during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Atlanta Falcons defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

The Buccaneers will finally open up the 2016 regular season on Sunday against the Falcons. Here, we break down five players that could decide the outcome of Tampa Bay’s matchup with Atlanta.

The Dirk Koetter era gets underway for the Buccaneers on Sunday in Atlanta, where the first-year head coach spent three years as an offensive coordinator before coming to Tampa.  The Bucs swept Atlanta a year ago, winning 23-20 on the road and 23-19 at Raymond James Stadium. While beating the Falcons alone would be big for Tampa Bay, a season-opening win at the Georgia Dome would also go a long way for the team’s confidence.

The Bucs haven’t made the playoffs since 2007, but there are a lot of reasons to believe that they will be better this year.  A new head coach, new defensive scheme and some new talent is what could get the franchise back on track.  Starting fast this year would be key, especially after last year’s season-opening debacle against Tennessee.

Tampa Bay’s roster features a lot of game-changers on both sides of the ball, but so does Atlanta’s.  Here, we have five players that could decide Sunday’s game between the two division rivals.

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