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Atlanta Falcons checklist to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

By Eric Robinson

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The Week 7 victory for the Atlanta Falcons wasn’t as easy as it should’ve been. Going into the game, it seemed at least that the Falcons would handle the Titans handedly and come away with an easy victory.

What came from the matchup with Tennessee was a gritty 10-7 victory and a few kinks that Atlanta must straighten out before they take the field against Tampa Bay this upcoming Sunday. Here is my checklist for Falcons tasks to accomplish.

Correct the play calling

A breakdown of the 69 total plays showed a relatively balanced 38 passes and 31 rushes. However, throughout the game it has seems that once again the offense got away from Devonta Freeman and the run game. 

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Freeman rushed for 116 yards, averaging 4.6 yards a carry. He also leads the league in rushing with 621 yards and 4.7 yards per carry. I understand the importance in Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and the passing game, but Freeman is one of the hottest players in the league at the moment and has given defenses fits when the opportunity arises.

The past three weeks, we’ve seen offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan get away from the running game at a key sequence when it was on a roll. I feel this offense would be better with the running game setting up the pass instead of vice versa.

Unleash Justin Hardy

The fourth round pick out of East Carolina has been inactive every game this season. Some fans wonder if it was his inability to grasp the playbook, hidden injuries, or faith in other receivers as reasons why Hardy has not taken the field.

With Leonard Hankerson injured at the moment and no true No. 2 receiver opposite superstar Julio Jones, it may be time for the coaching staff to see what they have in Hardy. I don’t expect him to tear up the league but the majority of Falcons fans agrees the offense needs another weapon at this point and Hardy in street clothes doesn’t provide a solution.

Squeeze more out of the pass rush

After seven games, the pass rush, which was a vital emphasis in the offseason, has produced a grand total of eight sacks. Defensive ends Vic Beasley and Adrian Clayborn leads the team with two sacks each. Not a whopping total of sacks and if “near sacks” was actually stat, Atlanta would easily be top five.

The pass rush has improved from last season in terms of getting pressure on the QB and forcing throws. With that said, its almost Week 8. Those near sacks need to turn into actual ones. The potential is definitely there. It’s time to produce.

Next: NFL Power Rankings entering Week 8

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