Tampa Bay Buccaneers Will Have To Be a Lot Better Against the Dirty Birds

They're going to have to be a lot better on Sunday.

You can take that to the bank or to the 50-yard line at Raymond James, if you choose.

Fact is, if last week's first half fiasco had been down here at Ray-Jay, the defense might have simply run out of gas and hydration, once again and we'd be looking at 0-2.

BUT, it wasn't.

Which brings us to Sunday when the Bucs host the suddenly surprising Falcons, who came back from the brink of extinction Sunday night to beat the Philadelphia Eagles—a team many were boasting to be the Dream Team this year in the NFL.

The Bucs are going to have to find a way to avoid a performance like those first 30 minutes in Minnesota, something Raheem Morris described as: "The worst half of football since I've been head coach."

It really couldn't have been worse, could it?

All right already, enough of that nightmare.

Fact is the Bucs now face one of the two teams favored to win the NFC South and this year, Morris' mantra has changed from the race to 10 to win the division.

The first step in win the division is a total 60 minute effort.

Here are some concerns the Bucs will have to address to win on Sunday:

1. Put pressure on Matt Ryan.The Eagles did a pretty good job most of the game but when everything was on the line Matty Ice came through. He's not as athletic as some elite quarterbacks but he has a lot of weapons to choose from. Pressure him or pay the price.

2. Contain Michael Turner. The Falcons look like a passing team with Tony Gonzalez, Roddy White and Julio Jones. But the running of Turner is what makes the offense go. He had 114 on 21 carries against an Eagle defense that is a lot better than Tampa's.

3. Watch out for the tight end. Tony Gonzalez is a future Hall of Famer who has taken marvelous care of his body. Hard to imagine he's been great for as long as he has. He's going to present a huge problem for this inexperienced defense and there may not be a way to stop him.

4. Talent at Wide Receiver:  Roddy White and Julio Jones can be dynamic playmakers. Don't let them burn you. 

5. Offense needs two good halves: None of this 30 minute stuff. Atlanta WILL NOT lay down like Minnesota last week. Get behind by 10 points or more and you're looking at 1-2.

If you watched the Sunday night game, you'll notice the Falcons are really missing Michael Koenen. The rookie punter was awful under the gun. Koenen will be a factor in this game, he can change field position and he's showing us he's a dynamic kicker and punter.

This week, the Bucs need more Dekoda Watson at linebacker. He's the one guy who looks ready and willing to actually make plays. Thus far, Quincy Black has been The Big Poop, at best.

Wide receiver Mike Williams needs to step up on Sunday. He was MIA last week.

Oh yes, did we mention LeGarrette Blount? Yes, folks, LB. Give the ball to LB, let LB do his thing.

They'll need a total team effort, their best of the year.

Because the simple fact is, after watching them on Sunday night, these Dirty Birds mean business.