The Pewter Plank
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Buccaneers offense can bury Falcons playoff hopes on Sunday

By Ryan Doyle

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 18: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons on December 18, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 18: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons on December 18, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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The Atlanta Falcons are on the brink of disaster. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can bank on their high-powered offense to put an end to a division rivals season.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in a position to send the Atlanta Falcons into a tailspin. After a blowout loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week three, the Falcons sit at 1-4.

The expectations remained high for an Atlanta team that kept their core intact heading into the 2018 season. The Buccaneers could virtually eliminate them from contention with a win on Sunday.

Devastated by injuries, Atlanta’s defense is exploitable. The Falcons have given up 32.6 points per game, and they were decimated by the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. Both the Saints and Bengals outdueled the Falcons as well.

The Buccaneers can follow suit on Sunday with Jameis Winston under center. The Buccaneers offense shouldn’t skip a beat with the quarterback change. With the talented weapons surrounding Winston, Atlanta has no chance of matching up.

At the same time, the Falcons will be able to put up points. Tampa Bay’s defense was embarrassed in their last contest, by none other than Mitchell Trubisky.

Matt Ryan is a tad bit better than Trubisky. He ranks seventh in the league in passing yards and has an impressive 11 touchdowns compared to two interceptions. He has a stacked receiving corps highlighted by Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley to boot.

Expect a shootout on Sunday.

The Buccaneers have proven they can win a shootout earlier this season. Although Drew Brees tore Tampa’s secondary apart, a few key stops and a timely turnover was enough to steal a game on the road.

That’s all the Buccaneers need to accomplish on Sunday. The Falcons won’t stop the Bucs passing attack. If the defense can hold on just a handful of drives, it should be the difference.

Both teams need a win in the worst way. The Falcons need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, and the Bucs need to prove they are threats in the NFC by burying a division rival.

A Tampa win effectively ends the Falcons 2018 season. At 1-5 with both the Saints, Panthers and a pesky Bucs team ahead of them in the standings, it would take a monumental collapse for the Falcons to make the postseason.

Next. 5 pleasant surprises through Week 5. dark

It’s time for the Buccaneers to shut the door on the Falcons.

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