Tampa Bay @ Atlanta preview
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Last Meeting ( Dec 18, 2017 ) Atlanta 24, Tampa Bay 21
Jameis Winston will return to his starting role when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit the Atlanta Falcons for an NFC South showdown on Sunday. The Falcons have won three straight against their division rivals and need to make it four in a row to have any chance of salvaging their season.
Winston was suspended for the first three games of the season and came on in relief of Ryan Fitzpatrick in a 48-10 loss at Chicago in Week 4. After a bye week, he is ready to take the helm of an offense that put up huge passing numbers in the first three games. "I just think my mentality is just to go out there and win for this team," Winston told reporters. "If that’s taking three-yard completions for the remainder of the game, if that’s having to hit a deep shot down the field, my main focus is just winning, not really stressing about anything. I just want to put my team in a good position to win." The Falcons were in a position to win each of their first four games but have posted just one victory after being trounced 41-17 at Pittsburgh last week.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Falcons -3. O/U: 57.5
ABOUT THE BUCCANEERS (2-2): Tampa Bay’s hot start on offense overshadowed serious concerns on defense, which have come to light in consecutive losses. The Buccaneers have given up at least 412 total yards in each of their four games and rank last in the NFL against the pass, which is problematic as they prepare to face Atlanta's dangerous receiving corps. The contest easily could turn into a shootout in which Winston will need to team up with Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson to outscore Matt Ryan and company.
ABOUT THE FALCONS (1-4): Atlanta’s defense has been decimated by injuries since the preseason, and with the exception of a solid showing in Week 1, the team has struggled on that side of the ball. The offense still is quite capable, although running back Devonta Freeman’s nagging foot injury has limited the rushing attack. Ryan has put up big numbers, however, and rookie Calvin Ridley has emerged to help form one of the league’s most dynamic trios of receivers with Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Ridley leads the league with six touchdown receptions.
2. Evans and Jackson are among four NFL receivers with an average of at least 100 yards and a minimum of three TD catches this season.
3. Ryan has passed for 793 yards with eight touchdowns and no interceptions in his last two home games.
PREDICTION: Falcons 31, Buccaneers 30