Bucs are potential spoilers for Falcons
Atlanta’s Coleman, Levitre out for Tampa game tonight
TAMPA, Fla. — The way the Tampa Bay Buccaneers see it, they still have a lot to play for in a year in which they will miss the playoffs for the 10th straight season.
Facing NFC South rivals Atlanta, Carolina and New Orleans the next three games provides the last-place Bucs (4-9) an opportunity to impact the division race, as well as the postseason outlook for the Falcons, Panthers and Saints.
That prospect is enough to keep a smile on the face of Tampa Bay defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who is clinging to hope that a biceps injury won’t sideline him from a stretch run that begins tonight against defending NFC champion Atlanta (8-5)
The Bucs play at Carolina (9-4) on Christmas Eve and finish at home against New Orleans (9-4) on New Year’s Eve.
“It is the season of giving. But for us, it’s the season of spoiling. We’ve got an opportunity to do that, and I’m just praying I can be a part of that,” McCoy said.
“You don’t want to leave with a bad taste in your mouth in the offseason. What better way to leave on a high note than to get three division wins?” the fivetime Pro Bowl selection added. “We don’t want to give those guys the upper hand going into next season.”
The prime-time matchup will be the second between the teams in four games. The Falcons won the meeting 34-20 in Atlanta, with Julio Jones catching a season-best 12 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns.
After facing the Bucs, the Falcons travel to New Orleans next week before returning home to play the Panthers in the regularseason finale.
Atlanta coach Dan Quinn said it was predictable that the division race wouldn’t be decided until late December.
If there’s a surprise, it’s that the Bucs are already eliminated from playoff contention after going 9-7 a year ago.
“For us, we knew it was going to come down to the end. I think all four teams are capable of being the one right down there at the end,” Quinn said.
Like McCoy, Tampa Bay coach Dirk Koetter expects the Bucs to embrace the challenge to finish strong. “The league has made a conscious effort here the last two years to have the division games mean something at the end, and I think they’ve succeeded in what they were trying to do,” Koetter said.
FLOWERY BRANCH — Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman and left guard Andy Levitre have been ruled out for tonight’s game at Tampa Bay.
Coleman teams with starter Devonta Freeman in one of the NFL’s most effective backfield duos.
He has been in the concussion protocol since Atlanta’s last game, a Dec. 7 victory over New Orleans. He was injured in the fourth quarter and did not return.
Levitre’s streak of 140 consecutive starts since entering the league ended with the Saints game because of a triceps injury.
Ben Garland will again start in Levitre’s spot.
The Falcons (8-5) hold the last NFC wild-card spot and are one game behind New Orleans and Carolina for the NFC South lead.
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“Do you like it? It’s the same. It’s really no different,” the coach added. “It’s weird playing somebody three weeks apart, but it’s happening league-wide, and it’s just something we have to adjust to and be ready.”
Some things to know about Falcons-Buccaneers: