Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons: 3 Keys to Victory
Coming off a disappointing performance against the Detroit Lions last weekend the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking for a 'get-right' performance against the Atlanta Falcons.
Make no mistake about it, this is more important than your average NFC South Divisional matchup as the winner will have sole possession of first place in the group.
The Buccaneers currently hold a half-game lead over the visiting Falcons because of their one-loss difference.
But a win by Atlanta would give them one more than the Bucs with the two matching three losses, meaning the bad guys would have a half-game advantage.
Here are three things Tampa Bay needs to accomplish to prevent that from happening.
READ MORE: How to Watch Buccaneers vs. Falcons
KEY 1: RUN OUTSIDE
The Falcons defense is vulnerable to perimeter runs and the Buccaneers like to run the ball on first downs.
In fact, 55 percent of offensive coordinator Dave Canales' first down plays have been runs.
We expect that trend to continue and highly recommend if Canales wants to put the ball in running back Rachaad White's hands early they do so by rushing off and outside the tackles.
This season the Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Detroit Lions all averaged at least 4.8 yards per carry when running off the tackles or outside of them.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (1) runs against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter at the Caesars Superdome.
Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports
KEY 2: CONTAINER MENTALITY
Atlanta likes to run the ball as well and invested a high NFL Draft pick in running back Bijan Robinson because of that preference.
So far this season the Falcons have produced a top 10 rushing offense per game, but are just middle of the pack per carry.
And therein lies the key to winning this game as Tampa Bay's defense will be challenged to contain the Falcons' persistent rushing attack.
Atlanta likes to use a lot of extra blockers in the form of fullbacks and tight ends in an effort to create more gaps to run through and for defenses to fill.
If the Buccaneers can counter this with third-level defenders filling effectively it'll leave linebackers Devin White and Lavonte David free to maneuver and make plays.
That looks like the best way to counter the Falcons rushing attack, and it just so happens to be a skill coach Todd Bowles has in his defensive toolbox.
READ MORE: Buccaneers vs. Falcons Predictions
KEY 3: SHOOT FOR THE STARS
On the offensive side of things, Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield is looking to bounce back from a relatively rough performance against the Lions.
He can do so by leaning on his money-makers, receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
While Mayfield hopes to solidify his on-field relationship with rookie receiver Trey Palmer he should be looking to find his two stars to get things rolling early.
In their careers, both Evans and Godwin have averaged 79.9 yards per game against the Falcons or better.
Godwin alone had his career-high in single-game receiving yards with a 184-yard performance against Atlanta along with two touchdowns in 2019 and had similarly dominant games in 2020 and 2021.
It's great to get young guys like Palmer or Deven Thompkins involved but do so only after leaning on Evans and Godwin to show the Falcons defense it's going to be a long day against this Buccaneers offense.
