The Buccaneers (4-6) will have their two-game winning streak tested in Atlanta on Sunday when they face the Falcons (6-4). Here, we preview the game and tell you where to watch and listen to it.
After beating two struggling teams in a row, the Buccaneers will get a bigger test this week. They travel up to Atlanta for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff against the defending NFC champion Falcons. This is the first meeting of the year between the two teams, but also the first of two meetings in a span of four weeks. Atlanta is right in the thick of the playoff race, while Tampa Bay is just barely clinging to its slim hopes.
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The Bucs are still without starting quarterback Jameis Winston, so veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick will continue to lead the way on offense. Fitzpatrick is 2-0 as a starter this season, leading the team to wins over the Jets and Dolphins. It gets harder this week against the Falcons, who are winners of three of their last four. If Tampa Bay is going to find a way to win, it will likely be on the shoulders of the passing game. The ground game is struggling heavily for the Bucs, with some of that blame falling on the offensive line.
Defensively, the Bucs are a mystery. They held the New York offense in check two weeks ago, then forced four turnovers in the first half of last week’s game in Miami. However, backup quarterback Matt Moore entered in the second half and tore up the secondary. Tampa Bay gets a much tougher offense this week from Atlanta. The Falcons are ninth in total offense, thirteenth in passing offense and fourteenth in rushing.
Injuries will likely factor into this game. Of course, Tampa Bay is missing Winston. But in addition to their quarterback, the Bucs will be without Robert Ayers (concussion), Vernon Hargreaves (hamstring) and Evan Smith (concussion). William Gholston (neck) is questionable. The Falcons are missing starting running back Devonta Freeman (concussion) and tackle Ty Sambrailo (hamstring).
The last time these two teams met was week nine of the 2016 season, when the Falcons beat the Bucs 43-28 on Thursday Night Football in Tampa. Matt Ryan threw for 344 yards and four touchdowns, connecting with Julio Jones eight times for 111 yards and a touchdown. Prior to that night, Tampa Bay owned a three-game winning streak against Atlanta. Overall, the Bucs lead the all-time regular season series 24-23, but the Falcons have a 12-10 advantage in Atlanta.
Where to Watch
Sunday’s 1:00 p.m kickoff will be carried by FOX. Dick Stockton will carry play-by-play, joined by Mark Schlereth (color commentary) and Shannon Spake (sideline).
Where to Listen
The radio broadcast, as usual, will be on 98Rock (97.9 FM) in the Tampa Bay area. Gene Deckerhoff (play-by-play), Dave Moore (color) and T.J. Rives (sideline) will have the the call. For more radio options around Florida, check here. Buccaneers.com and the Buccaneers mobile app will also carry the game.
Satellite radio subscribers can hear the Tampa Bay broadcast on XM Internet 829, while the Atlanta broadcast airs on XM 225.
Next: Buccaneers at Falcons: Game-changers for Week 12
For in-game and postgame coverage of Sunday’s game, follow @ThePewterPlank on Twitter.