Falcons hope to maintain sudden hot streak vs. Bucs


Reuters | California | Updated: 21-11-2019 11:31 IST | Created: 21-11-2019 11:23 IST
Falcons hope to maintain sudden hot streak vs. Bucs
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In routing the NFC South-leading New Orleans Saints and then the Carolina Panthers on the road the past two weeks, the Atlanta Falcons earned every bit of praise they garnered for 26-9 and 29-3 wins in which their defense didn't allow a touchdown. They've also brought to mind a question: Where was this performance when the team was stumbling to a 1-7 start and putting head coach Dan Quinn's job in jeopardy?

"If we keep playing the way we are as a defense, offense and special teams put together, that's the team we believe we can be," Atlanta safety Ricardo Allen said. "I know we've got something we can do. I know who we have. We just have to put it out there and not talk about it." Atlanta will try to continue this sudden streak of excellence Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers come to town, attempting to salvage the remains of a once-promising season that has fallen off the rails.

Both teams enter with 3-7 records, but the Falcons have the splashier resume, based on what they've done the past two games. The consecutive division routs mark the first time since 2009 that they've allowed fewer than 10 points in back-to-back games. "Just watching the New Orleans film, when they beat them in New Orleans, it was a different group of guys," Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians said of the Atlanta defense. "Same guys, but it was a different group of guys. There seems to be more energy, especially defensively upfront for them. Their coverage and their pass rush is syncing well right now."

The Buccaneers' offense is explosive on paper, but very mistake-prone. Five years into his NFL career, quarterback Jameis Winston continues to mix wonderful throws with mind-boggling mistakes. Winston has tossed a league-high 18 interceptions this year, including four last week in a 34-17 home loss to New Orleans. Some were of the fluky variety, but the fact remains he's already matched a career-high in that department, and he has added 11 fumbles (four lost).

Of course, Winston isn't completely to blame for the performance of his offensive line, which has allowed 36 sacks. That's already a career-high and the most absorbed by any player this season. "It's a combination -- bad blocking and not getting open," Arians said. "He's done a good job in the last three weeks of throwing the ball away. Some of it was on him, trying to make plays early in the season, and he's finally adjusted to getting rid of the ball."

With neither team contending for a playoff spot, individual feats will be a compelling reason to watch this game. Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans needs just 7 yards for the sixth 1,000-yard season of his six-year career, while Atlanta wide receiver Julio Jones is 118 yards from his sixth straight 1,000-yard year and seventh overall. The contest may also carry a bit more meaning for a couple of Falcons assistant coaches. Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter and secondary coach Raheem Morris were Buccaneers head coaches earlier this decade.

Atlanta had several key players miss Wednesday's practice, including quarterback Matt Ryan (ankle), Devonta Freeman (foot), tight end Austin Hooper (knee) and defensive end Takkarist McKinley (shoulder). Ryan is expected to play, while the others' status will be decided late in the week. Jason Pierre-Paul (knee) missed Wednesday's practice for the Bucs, but Winston was a full participant despite tweaking his ankle last week.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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