The second game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was quite different from the one that took place in week one 51 days ago. In week one at the Georgia, it appeared as though the two division rivals were evenly matched as the Buccaneers won 31-24. The Falcons were the better team Thursday as they blew out the Buccaneers 43-28.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week Nine Takeaways
It wasn’t 2014
The last time the Buccaneers played the Falcons on a Thursday, Atlanta scored 56 points through three-quarters and it wasn’t even that close as they took the fourth quarter off and let the Buccaneers score 14 points to keep it respectable. That was September 18 of 2014 and although it was still a blowout on November third of 2016, it was a competitive game in the first half. The score was 20-14 at halftime.
Defense Solid in First Half
The Buccaneers’ defense stepped up in the first quarter when the offense committed a fumble on the quarterback and running back exchange between Jameis Winston and Antone Smith. The Buccaneers were at their own 15-yard line when the Falcons recovered the fumble, but their defense held the prolific Falcons’ offense to a 29-yard field goal by Matt Bryant. At the end of the first quarter, Winston fumbled again on a third and one scramble. But the Falcons kicked another field goal from 41 yards. They also kept Julio Jones from catching a pass.
Falcons Dominate Time of Possession in Third Quarter
The Falcons received the kick in the second half and began the drive on their own 19-yard line. Jones went off with four straight catches for 59 yards from quarterback Matt Ryan as they carved up the Buccaneers’ secondary with deep post patterns. The Falcons had the ball for 11 plays, 85 yards and six minutes to open the quarter. After a quick three and out, the Falcons had another drive of 10 plays, 82 yards and five minutes. The Falcons had the ball for nearly 11 minutes in the quarter.
Defense Reeling From Loss to Raiders
The week before, the Buccaneers played an afternoon game against the Oakland Raiders in which they went into overtime only to lose 30-24. The defense allowed 626 passing and rushing yards combined in the game and the Falcons just four days later may have sapped their heart as well as their physique in the second half.
Mike Evans is as talented as Julio Jones, Antonio Brown, and Odell Beckham Jr.
Tampa Bay hasn’t been relevant for a while so it can be typical to overlook them even when they have bona fide stars on their team. Mike Evans is the best player on the Buccaneers and he proved it again in the loss with 11 catches, 150 receiving yards and two touchdowns with repeated displays of physical genius.
Injuries Continue to Hit Bucs
Evans’ game was arguably more impressive than Jones considering the Buccaneers’ offense is playing without Vincent Jackson and they are down three running backs: Doug Martin, Charles Sims, and Jacquizz Rodgers. Even he is uncertain to play next week against the Chicago Bears because of a concussion. Jameis Winston is also questionable with a knee, linebacker Kwon Alexander has a nicked up arm and center Joe Hawley has a knee injury.
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