Five NFC South players the 2017 Buccaneers have to game plan against
44. . Running Backs. Atlanta Falcons. Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. 4. player
When the Buccaneers face the Falcons they have not one, but two, running backs to prepare for.
Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman each bring a specific skill, and each requires specific considerations.
Bottom line is, the Tampa front-seven has to contain this two-headed monster. If not, then it’s going to lead to rain being dropped on the entire defense in the form of Matt Ryan touchdown passes.
It’s simple football strategy really. The better the run game, the more the secondary is forces to play closer to the line of scrimmage. The closer they play, the easier it is for receivers to get over the top of them, and leads to big plays.
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Taylor Gabriel’s skill set is designed specifically to take advantage of such a scenario, which is just one reason he’s become a nice fantasy sleeper this year. Albeit, a bit touchdown dependent.
The key to beating the Falcons is containing these two backs. In the Super Bowl, when Atlanta offense got predictable, the Patriots defense looked like they had eleven All-Pro’s. They didn’t.
Coleman and Freeman combined for over 1,600-yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground in 2016. Add to it, almost 900-yards receiving and another five receiving scores, and you’ve got an all-time great running back tandem developing.
If Buccaneers defenders like Gerald McCoy, Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David can keep Freeman and Coleman in check, then the secondary can worry about the rest.
This still isn’t an easy task, but not having to worry about providing run support will go a long way to helping the Bucs beat the Falcons.