Atlanta Falcons: Biggest playoff rivals are Tampa Bay Buccaneers

By Freddie Boston | May 10, 2016

Dec 6, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) throws the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

The biggest rivals for the Atlanta Falcons this season are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Forget about the Carolina Panthers. They sit in a league of their own in the NFC South. For the Atlanta Falcons to end their playoff drought in 2016, they will need to overcome to young and hungry Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Buccaneers finished below the Falcons last season with a 6-10 record, but they posted a series sweep over Atlanta and are poised to make a huge jump in Jameis Winston‘s second season.

Winston is the symbol of change in Tampa Bay, and his development will determine how far the Bucs go in the coming years. Like we saw from Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson in their second years, there’s no reason why Winston won’t make a similar impact. That’s not to say he will lead his team deep into to the postseason (or to the Super Bowl in Wilson’s case), but a jump in production could transition Tampa from an outsider into a playoff team.

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While some of the Buccaneers’ draft picks raised a few eyebrows — notably trading up for kicker Roberto Aguayo in the second round — they put together a strong class and added talent at positions of need.

Their first-round selection, cornerback Vernon Hargreaves, helps shore up a secondary in need of help. When you’re facing Cam Newton twice a year and covering guys like Julio Jones and Kelvin Benjamin, the need for talented corners is paramount.

If second-rounder Noah Spence puts his off-the-field issues behind him, the Buccaneers netted a steal on day two. Spence was one of the best pure pass rushers in the class and will help give the defense more consistent pressure off the edge. I liked the prospect of Atlanta grabbing Spence with their first-round selection, but he will now instead be teeing off on Matt Ryan twice a season.

While the Buccaneers defense is expected to make improvements, it’s Winston and the offense that will determine their success. Winston has no shortage of receiving talent in Mike Evans, Vincent Jackson and Austin Seferian-Jenkins, and the Bucs re-signed running back Doug Martin after a strong 2015 campaign.

The Panthers are the clear favorites to win a fourth straight NFC South title, which will leave the remaining three teams to battle it out for a wild-card spot. All four NFC divisions can make a case for one of their teams grabbing a wild-card berth, but the South’s prime candidates are the Falcons and Buccaneers.

Next: Five second-year players that will be impactful for Falcons

To reach the postseason for the first time since 2012, the Falcons will need to overcome the rejuvenated Buccaneers.

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