{"id":1176,"date":"2016-09-10T19:01:59","date_gmt":"2016-09-10T23:01:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=1176"},"modified":"2016-09-10T19:01:59","modified_gmt":"2016-09-10T23:01:59","slug":"week-one-preview-tampa-bay-buccaneers-atlanta-falcons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2016\/09\/10\/week-one-preview-tampa-bay-buccaneers-atlanta-falcons\/","title":{"rendered":"Week One Preview: Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Atlanta Falcons"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last season, the NFL<\/strong> witnessed the\u00a0Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/strong> sweep their season series against the\u00a0Atlanta Falcons<\/strong>. For the Buccaneers, these games were a major display of their potential as a team, as their ability to go 2-0 against a 9-7 team must be commended. For the Falcons, these games make them despise their\u00a0NFC South<\/strong> rival even more, making the opening game of the 2016 NFL Season even more intriguing. Without further ado, here is a look ahead at what to watch for in tomorrow’s game between the two rivals.<\/p>\n

Week One Preview: Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Atlanta Falcons<\/h2>\n

Buccaneers<\/h3>\n

This game for the Buccaneers will feature several new players on defense. One area to keep a close eye on will certainly be Tampa Bay’s secondary. Featuring several new players such as\u00a0Vernon Hargreaves III<\/strong> and\u00a0Brent Grimes<\/a><\/strong> as probable starters, this secondary\u00a0should be far better than they were last season. Along with Grimes and Hargreaves, the secondary features\u00a0Alterraun Verner<\/a><\/strong> as one of their top cornerbacks, and as one of the team’s defensive leaders.<\/p>\n

Moving on to the front seven, the Buccaneers feature several Pro Bowlers that can be absolute game changers on Sunday.\u00a0 Gerald McCoy<\/a> <\/strong> and\u00a0Lavonte David<\/a><\/b> are the leaders of the front seven, and should play a huge role tomorrow. Former\u00a0Baltimore Ravens<\/strong> linebacker and 2011 First Team All-Pro\u00a0Daryl Smith<\/a><\/strong> could also play a key role against Atlanta, as his addition in the offseason played a key role in solidifying an already strong linebacker core in Tampa Bay.<\/p>\n

Moving on to the offensive side of the ball, quarterback\u00a0Jameis Winston<\/a><\/strong> looks poised to have a phenomenal sophomore season. After making the Pro Bowl last year, he should come out on Sunday and have a phenomenal game that will set the tone for the rest of his season. Most of the Buccaneers offense is back from 2015, and players like\u00a0Doug Martin<\/a><\/strong> and\u00a0Mike Evans<\/a><\/strong> could have huge games against the Falcons.<\/p>\n

Falcons<\/h3>\n

Looking at the Falcons defense, they feature several rookies starting among their linebacker core. Players like\u00a0Deion Jones<\/strong> and\u00a0De’Vondre Campbell<\/strong> will look to help form a solid Falcons linebacker corps along with returning players\u00a0Vic Beasley<\/a><\/strong> and\u00a0Paul Worrilow<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

When looking at the secondary, the Falcons return one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL with\u00a0Desmond Trufant<\/a><\/strong>, and still feature players like\u00a0Ricardo Allen<\/a><\/strong> and\u00a0Robert Alford<\/a><\/strong> as starters. While they are without first round pick\u00a0Keanu Neal due to a knee injury, the Falcons defense looks to be much better than they were in 2015.<\/p>\n

On offense, franchise quarterback\u00a0Matt Ryan<\/a><\/strong> will be looking to having a bounce back 2016 season, and has his largest variety of weapons since 2012. Of course,\u00a0Julio Jones<\/a><\/strong> should have another phenomenal season, and newcomer\u00a0Mohamed Sanu<\/a><\/strong> will look to make a major impact in his first game as a Falcon. An improved offensive line revolving around center\u00a0Alex Mack<\/a><\/strong> will help give Ryan plenty of time to make his reads and lead the Falcons offense to a phenomenal overall game.<\/p>\n

Prediction<\/h3>\n

In the end, this game is a complete toss up. However, it\u00a0may very well go in favor of the Buccaneers, mostly due to the fact that they have far fewer injury issues and are far more depth on defense.<\/p>\n

The Score: 27-24, Buccaneers<\/h3>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n