Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons: Complete Week 3 Preview for Atlanta
The Atlanta Falcons host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a divisional matchup between a pair of teams that both lost last week. A short turnaround is always a good thing as the Falcons got demolished by a Bengals offense that was missing its biggest weapon in A.J. Green.
The Buccaneers are fighting injuries and will have trouble defending the Falcons offense at the Georgia Dome. Atlanta has quite a few advantages in this week's matchup and should be able to beat the Buccaneers if they stick to their game plan.
Atlanta Falcons Week 2 Recap
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There's times when humbling experiences are needed. Atlanta needed one after their huge victory over the New Orleans Saints. Cincinnati came in and showed that the Falcons didn't know how to game plan for a team that's run heavy and relies on play action.
The Falcons should be able to adjust this week and play in its base defense more frequently and attack the Buccaneers on offense. On offense, Atlanta's pass-blocking should be much improved as the loss of Jake Matthews for the Bengals game was definitely felt.
News and Notes
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Gerald McCoy's Game-Time Decision Due to Hand Injury
Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy has been fighting a hand injury he sustained in Sunday's game versus the St. Louis Rams. It could affect him being available for the game in Atlanta. ESPN's Pat Yasinskas quoted McCoy on his injury:
"Most of it is pain tolerance, whether I can tolerate it or not...As much as you want to be out there, you also want to be smart because the risk of missing a game or a couple of games as opposed to the risk of the rest of the season, it's not worth it.
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McCoy is one of the best 4-3 tackles in the NFL today. The Falcons didn't have much trouble with Cincinnati's Geno Atkins last week, though Atkins was hobbled by a foot injury suffered in the Bengals' season opener. McCoy himself is dealing a broken hand incurred in the Bucs' Week 2 loss to the St. Louis Rams. His status for the Falcons game is still uncertain, but even a limited McCoy still figures to be quite a load. Obviously, it would be much easier for the Falcons interior line to face the combination of Akeem Spence and DaQuan Bowers than Gerald McCoy.
Could Antone Smith be the Atlanta Falcons' own Darren Sproles?
D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution makes a great suggestion about the Falcons can use their most explosive playmaker not named Julio Jones in his article comparing Antone Smith to Darren Sproles. Coach Mike Smith noted that an his team's inability to get first downs was an issue when it came to getting Antone a sufficient number of touches:
"We did not get (through) rotation because we had some three-and-outs...Rotating our backs didn’t go like it did in the first week. That’s something that again, when you’ve got four running backs it’s a challenge every game to get the numbers that you’d like for them to have.
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Antone Smith has ridiculous speed and terrific vision as a runner. He was a 5-star prospect coming out of high school in 2005 and was the No. 1 all-purpose running back in the nation, according to Rivals.com's recruiting rankings. He even had a good career at Florida State gaining 2,255 yards on 493 carries over his four years and 503 yards receiving on just 58 catches.
He hasn't seen much production in the NFL at running back, but it's been because of a lack of touches, not lack of talent. Smith's eight career runs in the NFL have gone for a total of 149 yards, two touchdowns and four first downs. His five career catches have gone for 83 yards, one touchdown and two first downs. He's an explosive element in the backfield and deserves to have a shot at more touches.
Devin Hester Hopes to Beat Former Head Coach Lovie Smith
For the first time since he was drafted, Devin Hester will play against the coach that drafted him. He didn't seem too thrilled about the possibility when AtlantaFalcons.com's Reid Ferrin asked the former Bear about the situation:
"It's going to be weird. I never really imagined this; I always imagined myself being in Chicago and retiring in Chicago, but it is what it is. He's with a new team, down in Tampa, and I hope the best for him, but at the same time, I hope we win.
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When he was head coach for Chicago, Lovie Smith obviously enjoyed the great field position that resulted from Hester's returns. And it was also Smith who moved him from defense to offense and then later to a backup role at wide receiver.
The Falcons are lucky to have Hester right now as something more than just a return specialist and special teams guy. He could end up being an X-factor in the game if the Falcons offensive line holds up.
Injury Report
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| POS | Name | Mon | Tue | Wed | Status |
| WR | Julio Jones (Ankle) | LP | FP | FP | Probable |
| WR | Roddy White (Hamstring) | DNP | DNP | DNP | Questionable |
| OT | Jake Matthews (Ankle) | LP | FP | FP | Probable |
| LB | Prince Shembo (Knee) | LP | FP | FP | Probable |
DNP: Did Not Practice
LP: Limited Participation
FP: Full Participation
*All injury statuses from the Atlanta Falcons official website.
Jake Matthews looks like he's more than ready to play. He'll be a huge factor in the game this week if he is 100 percent healthy. The franchise left tackle will allow the Falcons to play more to their strengths and will require less chips than Gabe Carimi did in the game versus the Bengals.
Both Roddy White and Julio Jones are listed on the injury report, but it looks like both should be healthy at game time and ready to go. Prince Shembo is on the report with a knee injury, but it would be a shock to see him sit out this week.
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X-Factors and Matchups to Watch
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Julio Jones vs. Alterraun Verner
Julio Jones will see more coverage rolled his way this week with Roddy White gimpy due to injuries. Jones is on pace for 112 catches, 1,632 yards and eight touchdowns. A big game against the Buccaneers will reassure fans that Jones is as dominant as ever.
Alterraun Verner is one of the best cover corners in the game, but Jones has a speed edge on him. Verner will drop back into zone coverage quite a bit as part of the Tampa 2 coverage schemes. The Falcons should be able to exploit this matchup if Matt Ryan can get enough protection.
Atlanta's bad pass rush vs. Tampa's bad offensive line
Atlanta doesn't have a great pass rush, getting just one hit and no sacks through the first two games of the season. There's very few things Atlanta does well on defense, and the pass rush isn't included in the "things done well" column.
Tampa Bay's offensive line hasn't done very well either. They've allowed four sacks and eight hits through the first two games of the season. Atlanta should be able to attack the middle of Tampa's offensive line, specifically by using A-gap blitzes.
Robert Alford and Desmond Trufant vs. Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson
Robert Alford had a rough day versus the Bengals, allowing two catches on the only two attempts his way for 84 yards and a touchdown. Desmond Trufant got burned on a trick play in which Cincinnati receiver Mohamed Sanu threw a TD pass to Brandon Tate, but outside of that had a solid day.
Alford and Truant face a pair of big, physical receivers in Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson. Though the Bucs duo won't outrun anyone, the Falcons corners will have to play tough and physical throughout the game in order to hold their own.
Otherwise, the Buccaneers could have some effective balance in their offensive attack.
Falcons' X-factor of the Week: Jake Matthews
Without Jake Matthews against the Bengals, the Falcons offense looked like the offense of 2013. And honestly, it needs to drastically improve on that version. Gimpy or not, Matthews should be able to hold up against a weak grouping of Buccaneers defensive ends.
The question is whether he gets reinjured or not. Hopefully, he makes it through the game without any setbacks and allows the Falcons to provide Lamar Holmes or Gabe Carimi with the help they would need on the right side of the line. Because if Matt Ryan is protected, this could be a long day for the Buccaneers.
Prediction
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The Atlanta Falcons should get back to winning ways versus the Buccaneers.
Short turnarounds on Thursday night games favor the home team, and the Falcons are less banged up than the Buccaneers at this junction. Atlanta should be able to establish its running game against a backup defensive line.
With Matt Ryan sitting back with all the time in the world, the Falcons should also be able to throw the ball early and often. The veteran QB should be able to use his primary options like Julio Jones and Roddy White and even involve underutilized targets like Levine Toilolo against the Bucs soft defense.
On defense, the Falcons should be able to record their first sack of the season, but it will likely be a long day again—at least yardage-wise. The Falcons should be able to lock down in the red zone and hold the Buccaneers to field goals rather than touchdowns.
Prediction: Atlanta Falcons 28, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 19
All stats used are from Pro Football Focus' Premium Stats (subscription required), ESPN.com, CFBStats or NFL.com. All combine and pro day info is courtesy of NFLDraftScout.com. All contract information is courtesy of Spotrac and Rotoworld.
Scott Carasik is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He covers the Atlanta Falcons, college football, the NFL and the NFL draft. He also runs DraftFalcons.com.
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