Last Meeting:
The Falcons and Buccaneers last met in Week 8 at the Georgia Dome where the Falcons lost in overtime 23-20. Atlanta's offense finished with 496 total yards, Matt Ryan throwing for 397 of those yards.
Coaching Matchup:
Falcons: Dan Quinn
Dan Quinn and his team hit the road looking to get back in the win column as they have dropped five of their last six games.
Buccaneers: Lovie Smith
In his second season with the Buccaneers, Smith's team enters Sunday's matchup at 5-6, most recently losing to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12.
The Breakdown:
Falcons Offense vs. Buccaneers Defense
- Atlanta's offense ranks fifth in the NFL in total yards (392.8 yards per game) and fifth in passing offense (280.0 yards per game).
- Tampa Bay's defense ranks 12th in total defense allowing 338.8 yards per game.
- The Falcons get Devonta Freeman back this week and he will look to be a big contributor in Atlanta's 15th ranked rushing attack.
- The dynamic duo of Julio Jones and Freeman will be back in full effect as they have combined for 2,429 total yards this season, the most by any two teammates in the league.
- The Buccaneers' defense led by DT Gerald McCoy has recorded 26 sacks; McCoy is responsible for seven of those sacks.
- Falcons' WR Julio Jones ranks first in the NFL in both receiving yards (1,245) and receptions (94).
Falcons Defense vs. Buccaneers Offense
- The Falcons' run defense has been consistently solid all season. Quinn's defense ranks ninth in the NFL against the run, allowing only 96.8 yards per game.
- Tampa Bay's rushing offense ranks third in the NFL averaging 141.3 yards per game.
- Atlanta has tallied 18 takeaways this season, which is 12th most in the NFL season.
- Buccaneers' RB Doug Martin ranks second in the NFL in rushing yards (1,038) with three touchdowns to go with.
- Quinn's defense has steadily improved this season and ranks 11th in the league in total yards (338.4).
- Tampa Bay rookie QB Jameis Winston has thrown for 2,650 yards and 16 touchdowns. Winston hasn't thrown an interception in five of his last seven games and was named the NFL's Rookie of the Month.
