Bucs vs. Falcons – Pewter Preview And Predictions

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BUCCANEERS vs. FALCONS

WHEN: Sunday, October 9, 2022 | WHERE: Raymond James Stadium | KICKOFF: 1:00 p.m. ET | TV: FOX

PLAY-BY-PLAY: Joe Davis |ANALYST: Daryl Johnston | SIDELINE: Pam Oliver

RADIO: 98 ROCK 97.9 FM | PLAY-BY-PLAY: Gene Deckerhoff | ANALYST: Dave Moore | SIDELINE: T.J. Rives

Game day is approaching, and it’s time for the Pewter Report staff to make its weekly game predictions and offer up our game preview of this week’s matchup. Let us know what you think in the article comments section and add your prediction, too.

Scott Reynolds: Bucs Own The Falcons, Especially At Home

The Bucs need to snap a two-game losing streak – oddly enough at Raymond James Stadium. Cue the perfect tonic in the Atlanta Falcons. The Bucs have beaten the Falcons four straight games dating back to the 2020 season. In fact, quarterback Tom Brady has never lost to Atlanta and owns a perfect 10-0 record against the Falcons. The Bucs catch the Falcons at the right time as the run defense needs to bounce back big from surrendering 189 yards on the ground to the Chiefs last Sunday. Atlanta brings in the No. 4-ranked rushing attack in the NFL, so Tampa Bay’s run D will be tested.

If the Bucs can make the Falcons one-dimensional they’ll have their way with their NFC South rival and another blowout could ensue. The last two games at Raymond James Stadium have been lopsided affairs in Tampa Bay’s favor – a 44-27 win in 2020 and a 48-25 win last year. The Bucs are catching the Falcons at a great time, as Atlanta is without offensive stars in tight end Kyle Pitts and leading rusher Cordarrelle Patterson, who ranks No. 4 in the NFL in rushing yards. The only real threat the Falcons might have is rookie wide receiver Drake London and perhaps rookie running back Tyler Allgeier if the ground game gets going.

Tom Brady has had some massive passing days against Atlanta over the past two years. The passing game seems to be clicking right now, as the Bucs put up 31 points against the Chiefs and Brady nearly threw for 400 yards. Mike Evans had a dominating performance against Kansas City and usually plays well versus the Falcons. Chris Godwin is returning to health, and Julio Jones and Russell Gage will want to show out against their former team. Tampa Bay’s mastery over Atlanta continues – just in time.

REYNOLDS’ GAME PREDICTION: Bucs 30, Falcons 13
REYNOLDS’ SEASON RECORD: 1-3

Matt Matera: This Is A “Get Right” Game For The Bucs

Enough is enough. The Bucs have played two games at home already and heavily struggled on at least one side of the ball at home. In Week 3, the offense could only muster up 12 points and still they were somehow in the game at the end. Last week, the offense was able to score but the defense faltered by allowing 41 points. With the Falcons coming into town and first place in the NFC South on the line, the Bucs get it together. There’s no way they lose three games in a row at home. Tom Brady hasn’t lost three games in a row in over a decade, I don’t think that streak ends on Sunday. Also, he’s a perfect 10-0 against the Falcons in his career.

With top receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin healthy and available again for the second week in a row, the Bucs should be able to attack the Falcons in the passing game. Atlanta’s defense has allowed 386 yards per game and 260 passing yards per game, which are both 25th in the league. Tampa Bay showed that the passing game on track, and if Julio Jones and Russell Gage can show up against their old team, we’re looking at another game that’s close to 30 points.  

Stopping the Falcons on offense is all about whether the Bucs’ run stopping defense returns. They were gouged for 189 rushing yards last week and were embarrassed by it. I think they come out and look to make a statement by preventing the Falcons from moving the ball through the ground, which is fourth best in the league with 168 yards per game. Even though Coradarrelle Patterson isn’t available, Tyler Allgeier and Caleb Huntley are a formidable duo. This game is on the defensive line, so they’ll need Vita Vea, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Will Gholston and Logan Hall to pick it up.

MATERA’S GAME PREDICTION: Bucs 28, Falcons 17
MATERA’S SEASON RECORD: 1-3

JC Allen: Bucs Right The Ship With Convincing Win Over Falcons

After two straight home losses this is almost a must-win for the Bucs. The Falcons come into Raymond James Stadium winning their last two outings. And they’ve done it in an area Tampa Bay has shown recent struggles – the ground game. The Bucs must right the ship and settle down in run defense or this game could get out of hand. However, Atlanta will be without their top rusher and weapon in Cordarrelle Patterson. Though they were able to get good production out of rookie Tyler Allgeier and second-year back Caleb Huntley.

Shut down the Falcons’ rushing attack and this really can be coming a one-sided game quickly. While rookie Drake London has impressed early, he faces a tough matchup going against Carlton Davis III. Meanwhile the rest of Atlanta’s receivers don’t pose much of a threat in the passing game. Olamide Zaccheaus has game changing speed, but Jamel Dean has been ne of the best corners in the NFL early on and has speed to match. And without Kyle Pitts there isn’t much of a threat in the tight end room. However, the defense will need to play disciplined and account for Marcus Mariota, who isn’t afraid to tuck and run when plays break down or his receiver isn’t there.

When it comes to the offense, the Bucs need to figure out a way to slow down Grady Jarrett. Expect him to spend quite a bit of time lined up over Luke Goedeke, who has had some major struggles early on. Tom Brady looks to have nearly his full complement of offensive weapons in the passing game, but will likely look to get Leonard Fournette going early. With A.J. Terrell likely matching up with Evans all game, the Bucs can find creative ways to find mismatches with the rest of their receivers to move the ball consistently as there are no real impact players on this Falcons defense. The Bucs use this as a get right game, Brady moves to 11-0 all time versus Atlanta, and the team gets its first home win of the season.

ALLEN’S GAME PREDICTION: Bucs 31, Falcons 16
ALLEN’S SEASON RECORD: 1-3

Bailey Adams: Bucs Get Right, Brady Remains Unbeaten Against Atlanta

This should be something of a get-right game for the Bucs. Things looked really good at 2-0, but back-to-back home losses have them at 2-2 through their tough four-game stretch to open the season. This is an opportunity to get back on the right track and play a complete game for the first time this season. The schedule is a little lighter over the next few weeks, and these are games that this Bucs team can’t afford to drop. We haven’t seen their best yet this season, but this is when they can start to stack good performances on both sides of the ball.

I understand that the Falcons have been a bit of a surprise so far this year, getting to 2-2 themselves. First place in the NFC South is on the line, and this isn’t a team to overlook. But quite frankly, the Bucs should outclass the Falcons. That doesn’t mean they will, but they should. Tampa Bay is a much more talented team, having underperformed so far this year. Atlanta has some nice pieces, but it’s no stretch to say Arthur Smith’s team has overperformed in its first four games. It’s time for the Bucs to elevate their game while dropping the Falcons back down to earth.

The Buccaneers defense is going to come out mad after being embarrassed on a national stage last Sunday night. I like their chances of shutting down Marcus Mariota and the Atlanta offense, especially as it will be without Cordarrelle Patterson and potentially Kyle Pitts, who didn’t participate in practice on Wednesday or Thursday this week. Offensively, I think the Bucs found a little something last week. Their receivers are back and healthy, while the offensive line is a different animal with Donovan Smith back in the lineup. And you know Tom Brady isn’t about to lose to the Falcons. He’s 10-0 against them in his career, and the road to 12-0 starts Sunday.

ADAMS’ GAME PREDICTION: Bucs 34, Falcons 17
ADAMS’ SEASON RECORD: 1-3

Josh Queipo: Third Time’s A Charm For Bucs, Finally Getting That First Home Win

Would you believe the Bucs are winless at home this year? That’s the case as they host the Falcons on Sunday. But the Falcons aren’t the Packers, and they aren’t the Chiefs. The Bucs have enough offensive firepower to post some haughty numbers against Atlanta. And while the Falcons offensive design could give the Bucs defense some early trouble, by the end of the game I expect Marcus Mariota to have to lead a shoot-out approach that doesn’t cater to what they do best.

I see quarterback Tom Brady continuing to build chemistry with new pass catchers Cade Otton and Russell Gage (and possibly Julio Jones if he is a go), while the Bucs running game takes a much-needed step forward with a better split of snaps between Leonard Fournette and rookie Rachaad White.

Meanwhile on defense, the Bucs allow a couple of first half scores, before battening down the hatches and allowing only a single score in the latter stages of the game. The pass-defense gets back right, while the run defense improves from the 189 yards allowed performance in week four. In the end the Bucs reclaim sole possession of first place in the NFC South.

QUEIPO’S GAME PREDICTION: Bucs 34, Falcons 17
QUEIPO’S SEASON RECORD: 3-1

Kasey Hudson: Success Passing The Ball vs. The Falcons Is Key

I want to be confident in Tom Brady’s 10-0 record versus the Falcons, but the offense has to come out and not hand the ball to Leonard Fournette repeatedly. The run game still needs some work and the only other running back in to help Fournette is Rachaad White, who is clearly still building his confidence. Brady and Co. will need to lean into their exceptional passing game.

The Falcons pass rush should not be underestimated. They have MyKal Walker and Rashaad Evans combining for 68 tackles and Ta’Quan Graham building off 3.5 sacks last year. Defensive coordinator Dean Pees is known for switching up defensive schemes. Something that can be dangerous if the Falcons get cornerback Isaiah Oliver back. As for now, Chris Godwin and Russell Gage can match up well against Dee Alford and Mike Ford, and Mike Evans continues to have success versus A.J. Terrell and the rest of the Atlanta secondary.

With the news of Kyle Pitts being out Sunday, fans are more optimistic about a Tampa Bay win. But it is the run game this defense needs to brace for. Top NFL guard Chris Lindstrom is a key piece to the Falcons run game, but if Week 1 and 2 Devin White shows up, Atlanta can be stopped. I believe the Bucs will begin their redemption tour and take the lead in the NFC South.

HUDSON’S GAME PREDICTION: Bucs 34, Falcons 20
HUDSON’S SEASON RECORD: 2-2

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