Blogging Dirty
FanSided

Three Things Atlanta Needs to do to Upset Tampa Bay

By LaDarius Brown

Jan 3, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) greet after the game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) greet after the game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
Atlanta Falcons
Jul 30, 2021; Flowery Branch, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees (left) talks to head coach Arthur Smith on the field during training camp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

All things considered, the season started on a sour note for Atlanta Week One at home. Losing 26-3, nothing went right, especially in the second half.

This Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons face their NFC South rival, the Buccaneers, in Tampa. Needless to say, it is a tall task to compete against the defending Super Bowl champs, no less defeat them.

The last time Tampa lost a game was Week 13 of last season against the Chiefs at home. On the other hand, Atlanta last won in Week 12, last season, versus the Raiders.

That being said, how can Atlanta end their six-game losing streak and Tampa’s nine-game winning streak? Here are three ways the Falcons can pull the upset.

Front Seven of Atlanta Must Get to Brady

In truth, the Falcons are at a disadvantage to Tom Brady who may be the greatest quarterback in NFL history and, at age 44, and he is still at his peak.

Despite being 8-0 in his career versus Atlanta, Brady knows Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees very well. Pees was the defensive coordinator in New England from 2006-2009. Tampa’s signal-caller had nothing but praise for Pees:

"“I’ve known Dean a long time. Really challenges the quarterback. Very sound defensively, I don’t think he has a lot of easy plays out there, he makes you earn everything.”"

Atlanta’s defense in Week One only got to Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts three times, they had one sack and two quarterback hits. To have a chance, they must get into Tampa’s backfield. The front-seven in Atlanta needs to step up.

Players like Deion Jones, Foyesade Oluokun, and Grady Jarrett must get into Brady’s face. Doing so will avoid Brady getting the ball to weapons like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Rob Gronkowski.

Home/Atlanta Falcons News