The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8 for a crucial divisional showdown that will determine whether the Bucs still have life in the NFC South race.
The Falcons have given the Buccaneers fits in recent years, holding a 3-1 advantage over Tampa Bay in the last two seasons.
If Tampa Bay wants to “Buc” that trend, they’ll need several key players to deliver big performances in Week 8.
5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers who need to thrive vs. Atlanta Falcons in Week 8
RB Bucky Irving
In the two games that the Buccaneers have won this season, they’ve rushed for over 240 yards as a team, and Bucky Irving has crossed the 100-yard threshold in each contest.
This team thrives when they’re able to run the football down the opponent’s throat, and that starts with Irving.
Going against a Falcons’ offense that has had Tampa Bay’s number, averaging 29 points per game in their last four meetings, it’s important to dominate the time of possession and keep Atlanta’s explosive offense off the field as much as possible.
The running game is the key to victory for Tampa Bay.
QB Baker Mayfield
I mentioned how important it is to establish the run, but the Falcons rank fourth in the NFL in run defense, allowing just 89 yards per game.
In the event they’re able to bottle up the Bucs’ rushing attack, it’s up to Baker Mayfield and the passing game to find a way to win this game.
Mayfield returned last week after missing three games with a dislocated thumb, but in his first game back, he only had to complete 7-of-11 passes for 64 yards to get the job done against the Panthers. He might need to do a lot more to beat the Falcons.
Mayfield needs to take what the defense gives him, hit open receivers, and most importantly, protect the football and avoid turnovers.
Whoever is covering Kyle Pitts
Last time these teams played, Kyle Pitts finished with 11 catches for 166 yards and three touchdowns at Raymond James Stadium.
In 2024 in Tampa, Pitts had four catches for 91 yards and two touchdowns.
The former Florida Gators star loves to make it a personal homecoming every time the Falcons play in Tampa Bay. Todd Bowles and this Bucs defense can’t let him single-handedly beat them once again.
Whoever is lined up on Pitts, whether it be Antoine Winfield Jr., Tykee Smith, Josiah Trotter or (shudders) Alex Anzalone, needs to bring their “A” game and avoid him from having his way with the Bucs defense like he has throughout his career.
CBs Zyon McCollum & Jacob Parrish
Zyon McCollum and Jacob Parrish have been a dynamic duo this season, shutting down some of the NFL’s best wide receivers.
They’ve got another tough test this week against Drake London, who currently ranks fourth in receiving yards and is averaging a whopping 16.2 yards per catch. He’s a big play waiting to happen, and he’ll take over this game if he isn’t blanketed in coverage.
The Bucs rarely have a cornerback “shadow” a receiver, so both of Tampa Bay’s cornerbacks should see some action against London, and they’ll need to bring the same lockdown coverage they’ve had all year to limit the Falcons’ passing attack.
Add us as a preferred source on Google