Thursday Night Football Week 3: TV Schedule, Live Stream for Bucs vs. Falcons

In the second game of the NFL's Thursday night experiment on CBS, fans will get to witness a noteworthy early-season NFC South clash between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons. Both teams are in need of a win coming off two very different losses. 

The Buccaneers have started the Lovie Smith era much like they ended the Greg Schiano era, though perhaps with less locker room turmoil. Making matters worse is how they have lost to a backup quarterback in Derek Anderson (Carolina) and third-string quarterback in Austin Davis (St. Louis). 

Now, as a change of pace, Tampa Bay will have to face a true No. 1 starting quarterback in Matt Ryan. Atlanta's signal-caller is coming off a disastrous start in Cincinnati with three interceptions, one week after throwing for a career-high 448 yards against New Orleans. 

With both teams looking up at Carolina in the division standings, a win on a short week is critical. We have all the information to get you ready for the Buccaneers vs. Falcons clash. 

Where: Georgia Dome

When: Thursday, September 18

Start Time: 8:25 p.m. ET

Watch: CBS and NFL Network

Live Stream: NFL.com

Spread: Falcons (-6.5); Over/Under: 44.5

Odds via Odds Shark.

Biggest Question for Buccaneers

Will Josh McCown find Tampa Bay's big weapons?

Brian Blanco/Associated Press

One reason that Josh McCown seemed like a good fit for Tampa Bay's offense is because the weapons added alongside Vincent Jackson were reminiscent of what he had to play with last year in Chicago.

McCown replaced Brandon Marshall (6'4") and Alshon Jeffery (6'3") with Jackson (6'5"), Mike Evans (6'5") and Austin Seferian-Jenkins (6'6"). Through two games, though, we are seeing why McCown has spent most of his career as a backup quarterback. 

Jenkins did miss last week's game against St. Louis and is listed as out for Thursday with an ankle injury, per the team's website, so his lack of output is obviously excusable. 

Tampa Bay's passing offense ranks 31st in the league (168.5 yards per game). No one has more than 100 receiving yards. Jackson is averaging under 11 yards per reception, while Evans is even worse at 9.6 yards per catch. 

The most alarming part about the way the Buccaneers passing game has looked is that it's not even trying to take advantage of those size matchups on the outside, something McCown addressed with the media on Tuesday, via Tampa radio host Tom Krasniqi:

Sometimes outsiders do oversimplify things, especially for quarterbacks. But it stands to reason that if you have multiple players listed at 6'5" or taller, wouldn't you just try to take a shot down the field to them a few times in the first two games?

The best cure for a bad passing game is facing a bad defense. So far, Atlanta's defense ranks 26th against the run, 31st against the pass and 31st overall. The run defense is also beneficial to the Buccaneers, who got 144 yards on 22 carries from backup Bobby Rainey against St. Louis. 

It's unclear at this time if Doug Martin will play on Thursday night, though Matt Baker of the Tampa Bay Times reported on Tuesday that the Bucs running back was on the practice field with his knee wrapped up like a Christmas package.

However, the Buccaneers are going to rise or keep falling on the arm of McCown. The results haven't been there yet. This is his best shot early in the year to prove he's capable of more than just being a spot starter in the NFL. 

Biggest Question for Falcons

Will someone on Atlanta's defense make a play?

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

There were a lot of things that went wrong for the Falcons on both sides of the ball last week against Cincinnati. Ryan made too many mistakes, putting more pressure on a defense that we've seen crumble in less critical situations. 

The Falcons have allowed more than 450 total yards in each of their first two games. The difference between their win over New Orleans and loss at Cincinnati was turnovers. They were plus-one in that category against the Saints, including a forced fumble on a Marques Colston reception in overtime that set up the game-winning field goal. 

The Bengals forced three turnovers last week, while the Falcons didn't have one. When you give up 472 yards, it's hard to win a game unless your defense is creating opportunities for your offense. 

For all the problems Atlanta has on defense, there is a hidden gem in the secondary. Desmond Trufant doesn't get much publicity because it's hard to single out anyone when the stats show you have the second-worst pass defense in the league. 

Ryan Feder of Pro Football Focus wrote that Trufant has been virtually lights out dating back to his rookie season in 2013:

"

Trufant finished his rookie campaign with the 7^th highest PFF overall grade among cornerbacks and led the league with 15 pass break-ups. Through two games this season Trufant has continued to play at a high level, currently tied for fifth in overall PFF grade among cornerbacks. Despite “allowing” a beautifully executed 50-yard reception from Mohamed Sanu to Brandon Tate this Sunday, Trufant has only yielded 4 receptions for 66 yards and 1 reception per 16.8 cover snaps.

"

It's also not easy for a cornerback to stand out when the defense doesn't have a sack yet. Trufant could be the best defensive back in NFL history, but without a pass rush to disrupt the timing of a quarterback, anyone is going to give up a big play. 

The Falcons sneaked back onto the early-season playoff radar with their victory over New Orleans. They were brought back down to earth against Cincinnati but can get back over .500 with winnable games against Minnesota and New York the next two weeks. 

If they are going to be a serious playoff team in 2014, someone on the defense has to step up and make a play. 

Prediction

The Falcons are playing at home on a short week against an opposing quarterback who has yet to break the 200-yard barrier. The Buccaneers did find a running game last week that can exploit Atlanta's soft defensive line, but where are the big plays going to come from?

Ryan is the superior quarterback with better weapons on the outside in the form of Julio Jones and Roddy White. 

Falcons 31, Buccaneers 27

If you want to talk sports, hit me up on Twitter: @adamwells1985.