Buccaneers: Knowing the enemy – Atlanta Falcons

As they prepare to face off this Sunday, it’s time for Buccaneers fans to re-familiarize themselves with the division rival Atlanta Falcons.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are preparing to take on the defending NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons for the first of two times this season as they travel to Atlanta this Sunday. This – of course – is not how we thought things were going to shape up in this match-up. Jameis Winston is out, the defense has given up a staggering amount of points on the road, although they have stepped up the last two weeks.

The offensive line is struggling, there is no establishment of a run game. Basically, these whole team is still a mess. The last two weeks are nothing more than an air freshener on top of a litter box – they’ve only masked the stench, not erased it.

I took some time over the holiday weekend to speak with Ikaika Hall – site expert for Blogging Dirty, the FanSided Atlanta Falcons page – to get his take on the game, where the Falcons stack up, and what concerns him about this Buccaneers team.

It’s been a bit of a roller coaster season for the Falcons thus far. Do you think it’s a Super Bowl hangover or are we just seeing the growing pains of the change in coordinators?

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I believe the challenges that the Atlanta Falcons have faced this season are a result of what is being termed a “Super Bowl hangover” and adjusting to new play callers. Losing the Super Bowl, particularly in that fashion (28-3), can take a toll on one’s confidence and mindset. Regardless of what players say, I have to believe we are all human and therefore on some level the Falcons still struggle with their epic collapse. Losing a game this season against the Miami Dolphins in similar fashion, certainly did not improve matters. And additionally, the Falcons are adjusting to new coordinators, or new coordinators are adjusting to the Falcons. Either way, adjusting to new playing calling takes time. What we are seeing now, with this 6-4 Falcons team, is the progress of growth and adjustment amidst said challenges.

Julio Jones is having a down season. Can you pinpoint what’s been going with Jones or are his struggles magnified thanks to fantasy football or people that read a box score without context?

Julio Jones dropped a for sure touchdown against the Carolina Panthers earlier this season. I think the drop spoke to the mental challenges the Falcons have faced more than anything. Sure, Jones has only caught one touchdown thus far the entire season, but Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is finding Jones at a rate comparable to last season. In 2016, Jones was targeted at a rate of approximately 9 passes per game. This season, he is being targeted about the same. As Atlanta grows in confidence, both players and play callers alike, I believe player performance and output will begin to stand out more as confidence and familiarity set in. Players like Jones will begin to be highlighted even more.

What is your biggest concern about this Sunday’s match-up? Any Buccaneers that worry you?

In the Coach Quinn era (Head Coach of the Atlanta Falcons), the Dirty Birds are 1-3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That record alone is a cause for concern. Tampa Bay has talented players and the fact that they are riding a two game win streak only bodes well for their confidence. Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans concerns me. While he may not be having the best of seasons, he has played well against the Falcons in the past. If Evans has his way with the Falcons on Sunday, he could be the X factor that pushes the Bucs win streak to three games.

Which Falcons player should Buccaneers fans be worried about having a breakout performance?

A player, actually a group of players to watch out for Sunday is the entire Falcons defensive front four rotation. These guys have been able to generate pressure on two very good mobile quarterbacks over the past couple of weeks. If they can continue to build on that momentum, it could make for a long day for Bucs offensive lineman.

Next: What Does The Future Hold For Adam Humphries?

What is your prediction for the game?

I think the Falcons barely extend their record to 7-4, but not without a big challenge from the Bucs. Falcons win 20-17

For David and my predictions, check out the latest Walking The Plank Podcast below!