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ATLANTA
TAMPA BAY |
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47
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Final
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| 263 | ATLANTA | -1 | -3 | | 264 | TAMPA BAY | 47.5 | 47 |
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| All Games | 2-6 | -5.4 | 3-5 | 3-5 | 24.0 | 12.4 | 375.6 | (6.2) | 1.7 | 27.6 | 11.7 | 408.7 | (6.2) | 1.6 | | Road Games | 0-5 | -6.2 | 1-4 | 1-4 | 17.2 | 10.2 | 332.4 | (5.4) | 1.6 | 29.2 | 12.2 | 420.6 | (6.2) | 1.2 | | Last 3 Games | 0-3 | -3.5 | 1-2 | 0-3 | 13.7 | 8.0 | 277.3 | (5.1) | 1.0 | 26.0 | 10.0 | 411.3 | (6.3) | 1.3 | | Grass Games | 0-1 | -1 | 1-0 | 0-1 | 21.0 | 21.0 | 291.0 | (5.5) | 1.0 | 22.0 | 0.0 | 385.0 | (5.5) | 1.0 | | Division Games | 2-0 | +2.3 | 2-0 | 2-0 | 46.5 | 22.5 | 528.0 | (8) | 2.5 | 24.0 | 10.0 | 344.5 | (5.6) | 3.5 |
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| Offense (All Games) | 24.0 | 12.4 | 20.7 | 28:15 | 22-96 | (4.3) | 25-39 | 65.0% | 280 | (7.2) | 61-376 | (6.2) | (15.7) | | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 23.7 | 11.3 | 20.8 | 30:21 | 27-108 | (4) | 23-35 | 64.0% | 254 | (7.2) | 62-361 | (5.8) | (15.2) | | Offense Road Games | 17.2 | 10.2 | 20.0 | 27:40 | 21-91 | (4.4) | 25-40 | 63.2% | 241 | (6) | 61-332 | (5.4) | (19.3) | | Defense (All Games) | 27.6 | 11.7 | 22.1 | 31:58 | 32-129 | (4) | 21-34 | 62.9% | 280 | (8.2) | 66-409 | (6.2) | (14.8) | | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 22.4 | 9.6 | 21 | 30:08 | 26-109 | (4.2) | 23-36 | 62.8% | 242 | (6.7) | 62-350 | (5.6) | (15.6) | | Defense Road Games | 29.2 | 12.2 | 22.8 | 32:20 | 36-144 | (3.9) | 19-31 | 60.3% | 277 | (8.9) | 68-421 | (6.2) | (14.4) |
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| Stats For (All Games) | 1.1 | 0.6 | 1.7 | -0.1 | 12-5 | 41.8% | 1-0 | 33.3% | 3-55 | (21.1) | 1-19 | (12.5) | 7-62 | | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 0.9 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 13-5 | 39.9% | 1-0 | 52.9% | 2-44 | (23) | 17-2 | (8.7) | 7-64 | | Stats For (Road Games) | 1.4 | 0.2 | 1.6 | -0.4 | 13-5 | 36.5% | 1-1 | 42.9% | 3-70 | (21.8) | 1-14 | (11.8) | 6-60 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 0.6 | 1.0 | 1.6 | | 14-6 | 46.8% | 0-0 | 100.0% | 2-50 | (23.6) | 2-12 | (7.7) | 7-56 | | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 1 | 0.7 | 1.7 | | 13-5 | 40.4% | 1-0 | 46.7% | 2-55 | (24.6) | 15-2 | (9) | 6-52 | | Stats Against (Road Games) | 0.6 | 0.6 | 1.2 | | 14-7 | 48.5% | 0-0 | 100.0% | 2-51 | (25.4) | 2-18 | (9) | 7-53 |
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| All Games | 1-7 | -6.4 | 3-5 | 4-4 | 18.7 | 4.6 | 303.9 | (5.5) | 2.0 | 30.6 | 16.9 | 399.9 | (6) | 1.5 | | Home Games | 0-4 | -5.8 | 0-4 | 1-3 | 15.2 | 1.7 | 296.2 | (5.5) | 1.7 | 26.5 | 15.2 | 370.0 | (5.8) | 0.5 | | Last 3 Games | 0-3 | -3.2 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 15.7 | 3.3 | 318.0 | (5.5) | 1.7 | 29.7 | 16.7 | 379.0 | (6) | 1.0 | | Grass Games | 1-5 | -4.4 | 2-4 | 2-4 | 17.5 | 4.5 | 316.7 | (5.6) | 1.7 | 25.3 | 14.5 | 366.7 | (5.7) | 0.8 | | Division Games | 0-3 | -3.8 | 1-2 | 2-1 | 19.7 | 3.3 | 265.0 | (5) | 3.0 | 37.7 | 19.3 | 444.3 | (6.1) | 2.3 |
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| Offense (All Games) | 18.7 | 4.6 | 17.9 | 27:37 | 22-90 | (4.2) | 20-34 | 58.8% | 214 | (6.3) | 56-304 | (5.5) | (16.2) | | Opponents Defensive Avg. | 23.9 | 10.9 | 20.8 | 30:04 | 27-117 | (4.3) | 22-35 | 64.2% | 247 | (7.2) | 62-364 | (5.9) | (15.3) | | Offense Home Games | 15.2 | 1.7 | 18.0 | 27:33 | 22-103 | (4.7) | 20-32 | 63.3% | 193 | (6) | 54-296 | (5.5) | (19.4) | | Defense (All Games) | 30.6 | 16.9 | 23.7 | 33:07 | 30-115 | (3.8) | 25-37 | 68.4% | 285 | (7.8) | 67-400 | (6) | (13.1) | | Opponents Offensive Avg. | 23.3 | 11.3 | 21.5 | 30:16 | 27-112 | (4.2) | 23-36 | 63.6% | 251 | (7) | 63-363 | (5.8) | (15.5) | | Defense Home Games | 26.5 | 15.2 | 21.0 | 32:31 | 30-124 | (4.2) | 23-33 | 67.9% | 245 | (7.3) | 63-370 | (5.8) | (14) |
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| Stats For (All Games) | 1.2 | 0.7 | 2.0 | -0.5 | 11-4 | 33.0% | 1-0 | 42.9% | 3-64 | (24.3) | 1-16 | (10.7) | 7-56 | | Opponents Avg. Stats Against | 0.8 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 13-5 | 41.6% | 1-0 | 58.5% | 2-46 | (25.2) | 15-2 | (8.2) | 7-57 | | Stats For (Home Games) | 1.2 | 0.5 | 1.7 | -1.2 | 11-3 | 29.5% | 1-0 | 50.0% | 3-71 | (25.9) | 2-20 | (10) | 5-35 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.5 | | 13-6 | 46.2% | 0-0 | 75.0% | 2-50 | (25) | 2-18 | (9.7) | 7-65 | | Opponents Avg. Stats For | 0.8 | 0.6 | 1.4 | | 13-5 | 40.9% | 1-0 | 48.1% | 2-51 | (23.3) | 16-2 | (8.5) | 7-60 | | Stats Against (Home Games) | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | | 13-6 | 44.4% | 0-0 | 100.0% | 2-45 | (26) | 2-19 | (7.7) | 6-62 |
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| | Average power rating of opponents played: ATLANTA 18.4, TAMPA BAY 20.2 |
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| 9/14/2014 | @ CINCINNATI | 10-24 | L | 6 | L | 49 | U | 19-97 | 24-44-212 | 3 | 45-170 | 16-24-302 | 0 | | 9/18/2014 | TAMPA BAY | 56-14 | W | -7 | W | 47 | O | 36-144 | 24-28-344 | 4 | 18-64 | 22-36-153 | 5 | | 9/28/2014 | @ MINNESOTA | 28-41 | L | -5.5 | L | 48 | O | 22-123 | 25-41-288 | 2 | 44-241 | 19-30-317 | 0 | | 10/5/2014 | @ NY GIANTS | 20-30 | L | 4 | L | 50.5 | U | 21-90 | 29-45-307 | 1 | 34-124 | 19-30-193 | 2 | | 10/12/2014 | CHICAGO | 13-27 | L | -3 | L | 55.5 | U | 13-42 | 19-37-245 | 1 | 28-110 | 26-38-368 | 0 | | 10/19/2014 | @ BALTIMORE | 7-29 | L | 7 | L | 49.5 | U | 16-68 | 29-44-186 | 1 | 36-123 | 16-25-248 | 3 | | 10/26/2014 | *DETROIT | 21-22 | L | 3 | W | 45 | U | 26-78 | 20-27-213 | 1 | 23-60 | 24-47-325 | 1 | | 11/9/2014 | @ TAMPA BAY | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11/16/2014 | @ CAROLINA | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11/23/2014 | CLEVELAND | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11/30/2014 | ARIZONA | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 12/8/2014 | @ GREEN BAY | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| 9/14/2014 | ST LOUIS | 17-19 | L | -4.5 | L | 37.5 | U | 30-157 | 16-21-175 | 1 | 29-119 | 22-29-220 | 1 | | 9/18/2014 | @ ATLANTA | 14-56 | L | 7 | L | 47 | O | 18-64 | 22-36-153 | 5 | 36-144 | 24-28-344 | 4 | | 9/28/2014 | @ PITTSBURGH | 27-24 | W | 7 | W | 44.5 | O | 20-63 | 21-43-287 | 1 | 27-85 | 30-41-305 | 1 | | 10/5/2014 | @ NEW ORLEANS | 31-37 | L | 11 | W | 47 | O | 21-66 | 19-32-248 | 1 | 29-140 | 35-57-371 | 3 | | 10/12/2014 | BALTIMORE | 17-48 | L | 3 | L | 44 | O | 18-87 | 24-44-277 | 1 | 35-169 | 21-29-306 | 1 | | 10/26/2014 | MINNESOTA | 13-19 | L | -1 | L | 43 | U | 23-66 | 19-28-159 | 2 | 22-97 | 24-42-235 | 0 | | 11/2/2014 | @ CLEVELAND | 17-22 | L | 7 | W | 44 | U | 26-113 | 17-33-252 | 2 | 28-50 | 21-34-280 | 2 | | 11/9/2014 | ATLANTA | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11/16/2014 | @ WASHINGTON | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11/23/2014 | @ CHICAGO | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11/30/2014 | CINCINNATI | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 12/7/2014 | @ DETROIT | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| |  | ATLANTA: The Falcons brought in long-time offensive line guru Mike Tice to try and revive their running game. He uses a scheme heavy in zone-blocking concepts, which should benefit the Falcons' relatively small front five. They'll likely try to keep Steven Jackson's workload reasonable during the regular season in order to keep him fresh for December and January. The No. 2 job will be an interesting battle between undersized veteran Jacquizz Rodgers, who will take a lot of passing-down snaps, and rookie Devonta Freeman, who fits the scheme well. Jackson will remain the primary runner in the red zone.
Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter has always tried to utilize a lot of deep shots, though injuries sabotaged his game plan a year ago. A healthy Julio Jones working downfield will once again be Matt Ryan's top target, with Roddy White working more underneath and crossing routes. They'll go three-wide more often this season, with slot receiver Harry Douglas poised to take on a bigger role. Koetter usually features his tight end heavily, though he may have to change it up this year with Tony Gonzalez retired and replaced by raw second-year man Levine Toilolo. Koetter also uses a lot of screen work for his backs. Koetter usually relies on Ryan to make plays in the red zone by calling a lot of play-action. Jones took on a huge red-zone role last year before getting hurt.
The Falcons defense was a huge disappointment last season, as the unit placed among the bottom-six NFL teams in sacks, points allowed and total yards allowed. None of Atlanta's new starters via free agency (DE Tyson Jackson, DT Paul Soliai and FS Dwight Lowery) will make a big enough difference to make this an above-average unit. | | TAMPA BAY: This will be the NFL debut for new offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford, long one of the most respected offensive coaches in the college game. O-Line coach George Warhop uses multiple concepts and relies on athletic blockers getting to the second level to open up big plays in the running game. They'll likely use some tempo to help the running game along. Doug Martin figures to take the bulk of the workload with rookie Charles Sims mixing in, especially on passing downs. Martin will likely take a decent red-zone workload, including goal-line carries. Mike James also figures to see some work.
Tedford ran a pro style system at the collegiate level, using tempo and space similarly to how Chip Kelly does in Philly. Assuming veteran Josh McCown wins the starting job, he will have a good shot at duplicating the success he had in Chicago. Tedford's system often gets one of the boundary receivers in single coverage, and both Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans are capable of overpowering defensive backs downfield. The size of Tampa's pass-catchers should lead to a lot of short TD throws for McCown. Jackson has never been a great red-zone producer due to the attention he draws, but between he, Evans and rookie tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, the passing game should be difficult to defend in the end zone. Seferian-Jenkins will have a chance to establish himself as a security blanket over the middle, while move TE Brandon Myers works up the field. They'll also likely work the screen game more frequently, featuring Martin and Sims.
The Bucs improved in nearly every defensive facet last season, and new DC Leslie Frazier gets to infuse some talented free agents like DE Michael Johnson and CBs Alterraun Verner and Mike Jenkins to new head coach Lovie Smith's Tampa-2 scheme. |
| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER PRO FOOTBALL PREVIEW (ATLANTA-TAMPA BAY) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Falcons-Buccaneers Preview* ============================
The woeful Tampa Bay Buccaneers are turning back to Josh McCown to try to spark the NFC's worst offense.
The last time he was on the field, the Atlanta Falcons nearly posted the biggest win in franchise history.
These NFC South rivals own the two longest current slides in the conference heading into Sunday's rematch in Florida.
Atlanta (2-6) has dropped five straight and Tampa Bay (1-7) four in a row. The Falcons have lost seven straight away from home while the Buccaneers are seeking to avoid starting 0-5 at home for the first time since the 1983 club began 0-6 in Tampa.
Buccaneers coach Lovie Smith has opted to turn back to McCown over Mike Glennon, who started the last five games. McCown has been out since suffering an injured thumb in a 56-14 loss at Atlanta on Sept. 18.
"Josh was the starter before he got hurt. He's healthy and he's back in," said Smith before later conceding the Bucs need more than they've been getting from their quarterbacks.
"I think it's the same with every position. You look at the production, and what we're getting at the time," Smith said. "I think we need better play at the quarterback position. You start with that. ... We need a little boost. It's like that with all positions. If the play isn't what we think it should be, we're going to look and see if there's another option we can look at."
McCown went 0-3 with a 65.8 passer rating, two touchdowns and four interceptions in his three starts. His last one was one of the biggest debacles in Tampa Bay's history.
The Falcons led 35-0 before the Buccaneers picked up a first down, and the margin was 56-0 after three quarters. The meaningless final two scores for Tampa Bay helped it avoid the worst loss in club history. The club has lost twice by 45 points - at Oakland in 1999 and to San Francisco in 2011.
"We're well aware of what happened the first time around and we're just appreciative that we get an opportunity to redeem ourselves and play them again," Smith said. "This time, we need to play a lot better."
The Falcons, meanwhile, haven't won since they nearly surpassed a 62-7 rout of New Orleans in 1973 for their most lopsided win.
They take the field for the first time since blowing a 21-point halftime lead in a 22-21 loss to Detroit in London on Oct. 26.
That counted as a home defeat, though it marked another Falcons failure outside the Georgia Dome.
"We haven't finished games on the road like we need to," coach Mike Smith said. "I'd say that's probably the thing that stands out over the span you're talking about."
The coach's status along with those of numerous others within the organization have been questioned with Atlanta on the verge of its longest single-season slide since dropping seven in a row in 2003.
"You can't worry about all the things being said outside this building," quarterback Matt Ryan said. "When things are not going your way and you're not winning games, there is going to be criticism. We understand that."
Ryan completed 21 of 24 passes for 286 yards and three scores in the first meeting with the Bucs. He enters off consecutive 228-yard passing efforts, and has been sacked 11 times in his last three games.
Julio Jones had nine receptions for a season-high 161 yards with two scores in the first meeting. Jones hasn't found the end zone since, matching his longest drought since his first five pro games.
Atlanta has sacked opposing quarterbacks a league-low seven times - though it dropped Glennon twice and McCown once in September.
"Again, we're 32nd in the league in sacks," Mike Smith said. "I think we have shown some improvement. It hasn't necessarily shown up on the sack tally, but I do feel that we've shown some improvement."
Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux could return from a foot injury that kept him out of the Detroit game.
Bucs left tackle Anthony Collins may miss a second straight game with a foot injury after he sat out last Sunday's 22-17 loss in Cleveland.
Running back Doug Martin was also out with an ankle injury, though it's possible he will return. Fullback Jorvorskie Lane is eligible to return from a two-game suspension for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Game Notes: |
| | Last Updated: 7/4/2024 2:33:06 AM EST. |
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