The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bucs disrupt on both sides of ball
Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston is going to throw some deep passes. In the previous meeting this season between the Buccaneers and Falcons, he connected on several, as wide receiver Chris Godwin got loose for 184 yards and two touchdowns in Tampa Bay’s 35-22 win Nov. 24 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Free safety Damontae Kazee, who will be the X-factor in today’s game, has to play the deep passes better when the Falcons (6-9) play the Bucs (7-8) in a battle for second place in the NFC South at Raymond James Stadium.
“They are the No. 1 passing offense in the league, and it all comes through (Winston),” Falcons safety Ricardo Allen said. “A lot of people like to look at the stats, but he’s slinging it around. He’s got some turnovers here and there, but he’s putting the ball in there pretty well. He can get the ball to any spot on the field, but he likes the deep ball a lot.”
Winston leads the NFL in passing yards (4,908) but also in interceptions (28).
“Is he going to take his shots? There’s no doubt,” Falcons linebackers coach Jeff Ulbrich said. “That’s just what Jameis does. That’s what (Bucs coach) Bruce Arians has done forever.”
On a 71-yard touchdown pass to Godwin in the first meeting, Kazee overran the play. Godwin escaped and ran for the touchdown.
“We have to stay in position,” Ulbrich said. “We have to stay in lead position. We have to stay on top as the cover corner, nickel backer and then our free safeties, no seams, no posts. Then if a ball gets caught, which it will, you know. They are going to get theirs.
“He’s got to get them on the ground. At the end of the day, make them earn every yard.”
Bucs receiver Mike Evans is on injured reserve, and Godwin missed last week with a hamstring injury. However, Breshad Perriman, who is from Lithonia and was a first-round pick by the Ravens out of UCF, has posted two consecutive 100-yard games. “He’s doing a great job,” Ulbrich said. “Jameis is just the guy to utilize a big receiver like Perriman. He’s been great on the deep ball and great on the possession stuff, too.”
On the hot seat
In their previous meeting with Tampa Bay, the Falcons’ offensive line had a horrible outing in a 35-22 loss Nov. 24 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was sacked six times and hit 13 times as the
Bucs made it a one-dimensional game. The Bucs held the Falcons to 57 yards rushing and attacked the passer.
“No. 1, we have to play well up front,” Ryan said. “For us, the offensive line has had good continuity for the last couple of weeks. We have got some different guys playing than we did the first time, and it starts and ends there. We have to make sure we play well up front.”
Rookie right guard Chris Lindstrom did not play in the previous meeting. Left guard Wes Schweitzer played, but this weekend he’ll start for James Carpenter, who’s out with a concussion.
The Bucs’ defensive line is anchored by nose tackle Vita Vea (347 pounds), Ndamukong Suh and Jason Pierre-Paul. Outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett has exploited one-on-one matchups to compile 16.5 sacks, which is tied for a team single-season mark.
“When they’ve got those five big guys and then those two linebackers, that front seven is tough,” Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said. “They have good players, and they are playing well within (defensive coordinator Todd) Bowles’ scheme.”
In a 23-20 loss to Houston on Sunday, the Bucs had five sacks and six quarterback hits on the elusive Deshaun Watson.
“They are putting a lot of pressure on the passer,” Koetter said. “JPP had three sacks last week. So, it’s not just their rush defense (which is ranked No. 1 in the league). They are pretty good in almost every phase.
“Earlier in the year, they had some stats where they weren’t as good on first down and in the red zone, but they’ve really turned those numbers around since we played them the first time.”
Three key matchups
■ Falcons DE Vic Beasley vs. Bucs tackles: Beasley, in what could be his last game with the Falcons, needs two sacks to reach 10 for the second time in his career. He has been moving around the defense, playing left and right defensive ends and some linebacker, to get some favorable matchups. Bucs tackles Donovan Smith (left) and Demar Dotson (right) have both allowed five sacks, which is tied for 22nd in the league among all tackles, according to Pro Football Focus.
■ Falcons offensive line vs. Bucs LB Devin White: In the previous meeting, White had a monster game, with eight tackles, two sacks, two quarterback hits and two tackles for loss. RT Kaleb McGary has played 1,015 offensive snaps and has given up 11 sacks, which is tops in the league among tackles, according to Pro Football Focus.
■ Falcons LG Chris Lindstrom vs. Bucs NT Vita Vea: Lindstrom didn’t play when the teams met earlier this season and will be counted on to help get the run game going and firm up the interior of the passing pocket. Lindstrom has played 220 snaps, has committed one penalty and has not allowed a sack since coming back from his broken foot. The massive Vea (6-foot-4 and 347 pounds) is a mostly a run-stuffer, but Bucs coach Bruce Arians said he’s starting to rush the passer better.
QB corner
Here’s what Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan had to say about facing the Tampa Bay defense:
Q: What makes Tampa Bay’s run defense No. 1 in the (NFL)?
A: They are solid. What makes them go is their front seven. They have a really good defensive line. They are very deep with strong interior guys and have good speed on the outside.
Q: Do you agree with Bruce Arians that linebacker Lavonte David has had a Pro Bowl year?
A: He has been a great player for a long time. He came into the league in 2012, and he is a handful to deal with every time we go against him. He is a very talented, good player and he has had a great year.
Q: What’s the plan to slow down Devin White, who had a big game in the last meeting?
A: They have excellent linebackers. They are very fast. Both linebackers have great speed and good instincts. They are playing with a lot of confidence. When you have a defense that is confident with talent, they are going to be successful.