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Bucs Three-View: Bucs-Falcons

This should be the game that the Bucs attempt to get over .500. This is the game that should be the springboard for the Bucs to establish themselves as one of the up-and-coming teams in the NFL. Instead, this will be the game that will answers the question, how do the Bucs rebound from one of the bigger collapses in team history? A lot of things will be under the microscope in this crucial intradivisional matchup against the Falcons.

For the Bucs to have any chance in Atlanta, they will need to find a way to slow down the Falcons passing game. While the Falcons only scored 10 points last week against the Titans, they are now back home and face a Bucs defense that made Kirk Cousins look like John Elway. The secondary of the Bucs allows way too many yards and has not been effective at causing turnovers. The return of Johnthan Banks was expected to help. However, he looked rusty in his first game back last week. Alterraun Verner has not played as well as he did at the end of last year, and has been demoted to nickel back. Chris Conte has made a few plays, but Bradley McDougald has not taken the next step in his development. The secondary would look better if the defensive line could consistently pressure the quarterback. Outside of the Jacksonville and New Orleans game, the pass rush has been far too inconsistent to help the Bucs. With the game on the line and the Redskins forced to go 80 yards to win the game, the pass rush did little to make Kirk Cousins uncomfortable last week. That will lead to disaster this week against a much more explosive offense.

A big concern for Tampa in this game is the lack of healthy wideouts. It appears that number two wideout Vincent Jackson is out and third receiver Louis Murphy is out for the year with a torn ACL. Those injuries will thrust undrafted rookie Donteea Dye into the starting lineup and fellow undrafted rookie Adam Humphries into the third receiver role. The good news for the Bucs is it appears uber talented tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins may return to action. Jenkins has the ability to provide a lot of the same skills Vincent Jackson did while providing a little more explosion. All these injuries are quite unfortunate as Jameis Winston has produced back-to-back strong games. He has gone two full games without a turnover and has shown NFL fans why he was the top overall pick. The injuries will allow Jameis to show Bucs personnel and fans how he handles adversity. Can he still be successful and limit turnovers when he does not have his best playmakers around him? Only time will tell.

The final key to this game will be time of possession. If the Bucs are to pull off the upset, they will need to dominate time of possession. The Bucs have had one of the more productive running back tandems in the league, led by the return of the Dougernaut. Doug Martin and Charles Sims have been everything Bucs fans hoped for and more this year producing long runs and big catches out of the backfield. The offensive line has also been a surprise as they have done a better than expected job of opening holes. Both Ali Marpet and Donovan Smith have been getting better each week and have held their own against some of the NFL’s best. Joe Hawley, in his return to Atlanta, will look to continue his solid play since taking over for Evan Smith. Finally, Logan Mankins has been much better this year as he helped dominate the Redskins defensive line last week. All members of the offensive line will have to bring their A-game to help control the clock and give the team the best chance at an upset.

The fantasy difference maker this game is difficult to pick. Doug Martin has been excellent lately, and Mike Evans has shown the explosiveness he did in 2014 in the last few weeks. However, the top fantasy player this week will either be Julio Jones or Devonta Freeman. Both have a chance to put up massive numbers against the disappointing Bucs defense. But if you have to choose, pick Freeman. He will have more chances to pick apart the Bucs defense.

Thanks for reading the Bucs three-view return to Runner Sports. Hopefully the Bucs respond positively to the collapse in Washington. Follow me on twitter @chriswebertrs on gameday and see if the Bucs have what it takes to win. #siege the day

Chris Weber

Long-term care pharmacist at Morton LTC
Working as a long-term pharmacist in the Appleton, WI area.Huge sports fan who was happy to see the Jays make the ALCS and hoping the Bucs have their franchise QB!

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