Atlanta Falcons Coach Arthur Smith Details Importance of 'Big Games' vs. Division Rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Atlanta Falcons will face the division-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, and these games carry extra significance each season.

The pivotal meeting in the NFC South on Sunday will feature two teams coming off a loss: the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Bucs are currently in first place in the NFC South with a 3-2 record, but the Falcons and New Orleans Saints are close behind with a mark of 3-3. Atlanta head coach Arthur Smith is impressed with what Tampa has been able to accomplish so far in 2023, and he knows that his team will have its work cut out on Sunday.

"They play pretty good football; they'll be coming off a loss," Smith said. "They understand where they're at, we got to go down there—it’s a personnel we're very familiar with, changed quarterbacks with Baker [Mayfield], he's played some good football for them, schemes changed a little bit but we're very familiar defensively and special teams wise as they are with us." 

Oct 15, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith shown reacting during the game against the Washington Commanders during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium / © Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Every game in the NFL is important. Even early-season games can impact eventual playoff races, but games like these carry extra weight.

"Those are the division games, these are big games for you, like I said, some of these feels like they count for two," Smith said. "Got the chance to get to 2-0 in the division and get back on the winning track."

The Falcons have one NFC South win under their belt after knocking off the still-winless Carolina Panthers in Week 1 by a final score of 24-10. Can Atlanta keep that divisional momentum going this week against Mayfield and the Bucs? Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. on FOX.