FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — It's an NFC South showdown this Sunday in Tampa Bay as the Falcons travel south to face the Buccaneers for the second time in less than a month.

The last time these two teams met, the result was thrilling, and the Falcons walked away with a 36-30 division win in overtime. For what it's worth, this second meeting is gearing up to be just as thrilling and maybe even more important for both teams.

Let's get into the matchup.

Injury update

The Falcons will have a few decisions to make leading into Sunday's game. Though inside linebacker Troy Andersen has already been ruled out with a lingering knee injury, the Falcons left the game status of Justin Simmons (hamstring) and Ryan Neuzil (knee) a bit more up in the air. Simmons was listed as doubtful on the team's Friday game report, while Neuzil was questionable.

If Simmons can't get the green light, it'll likely be Richie Grant joining the starting lineup at safety. Grant has started 32 games for the Falcons since he was drafted by the team in 2021. He started alongside Jessie Bates III last year at safety, so he is not without experience.

As for the center position, it's a bit more nuanced. If Neuzil is ruled out of Sunday's game, that would mean Matt Hennessy gets the start at center. Reminder: Drew Dalman is still on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Like Grant, Hennessy is no stranger to starting reps in a Falcons uniform. He's started 22 games for the organization from 2020-23.

If Hennessy starts, the Falcons would likely keep Jovaughn Gwyn active as an interior backup. However, with 24 hours to go until kickoff, this information could all be for not if Neuzil is cleared.

The Falcons' inactives list will be an important one to monitor this week. It'll be released 90 minutes prior to kickoff.

Important day for Falcons inside linebackers

Head coach Raheem Morris called the Bucs' rushing attack a three-headed monster this week, and for good reason, too. Between Rachaad White, Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay has had a good thing going in its run game. Terrin Waack dug into what the Falcons' defense is up against with that trio.

Tampa Bay is currently ranked eighth in the NFL with 135.1 yards rushing per game. They've put up at least 100 yards rushing in five games overall this season, including each of their last four games. Meanwhile, the Falcons' run defense is allowing 137 rushing yards per game, which ranks 24th in the league. When these two teams met a couple weeks ago, the Bucs combined for 160 total rushing yards and averaged 6.2 yards per carry.

"I don't think they get enough (credit)," Bates said of Tampa Bay's run game. "I think, last time we played them, I see No. 7 (Irving) popping off the tap. Now, you see No. 44 (Tucker) starting to get a little more touches for them. So, yeah, they don't have a big-name guy back there getting all this national media (attention). I think they have a group that takes it."

The Bucs will be without receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin this weekend. And while we will talk more about their absence in the next section, it makes sense to think the Bucs will come into Sunday's game looking to establish the run as the go-to approach for the offense. That's why it could be an important day for the Falcons' inside linebackers, Kaden Elliss and Nate Landman. Their presence in the run game must be felt for the Falcons' defensive unit to have the success they want against the run.

No Godwin. No Evans.

You can't talk about the Bucs' offensive success in 2024 without mentioning Baker Mayfield's connection with his top two targets: Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. But both receivers sustained significant injuries in their Monday night bout with the Ravens this week. Godwin's ankle injury was gruesome and season ending. Evans has the chance to return this year after re-injuring his hamstring, but it'll reportedly be a few weeks until he'll be able to give the field a go. That means neither will be available to the Bucs this weekend.

Talking to the Tampa media earlier in the week, Mayfield was asked about their absence and what it means for this offense moving forward.

"It's going to be a full group effort," Mayfield said. "It's going to look different, but that's OK. (The game plan will) probably be a little more creative and we'll have some fun with it."

Mayfield's top assets in the pass game this Sunday will be players like receivers Trey Palmer, Jalen McMillan and Sterling Shepard. Particularly McMillan, though, who Mayfield targeted eight times last Monday.

However, one should not — under any circumstance — forget the role of the Bucs tight ends and running backs in the pass game, too (which, again, goes back to the importance of the Falcons' linebackers Sunday). Tight end Cade Otton was Mayfield's go-to target Monday night, hitting him eight times for 100-yards receiving. Then, there was White, who caught all six of his passes from Mayfield, two of which were for touchdowns. These are important — and at times, overlooked — weapons in Tampa Bay's pass game that have to be neutralized.

Antione Winfield Jr. back in the fold

The last time the Falcons faced the Bucs, Tampa Bay was without their Pro Bowl safety. He was ruled out before the start of the game with a hamstring injury. Now, he's back, and his presence has the power to keep the Falcons' passing attack at bay. One should remind you that this is a passing attack that accumulated a record 509 yards through the air the last time these two teams faced each other.

If there is anyone who wanted to pull their hair out when watching that performance two weeks ago, it was likely a sidelined Winfield. And he'll be someone the Falcons have to account for Sunday that they didn't last time around.

"He's just got such a great feel for the game. He's got great instincts. I'm sure he's getting everybody coordinated back there on the back end and even at the second level," Falcons offensive coordinator said of Winfield this week. "He's been a really good player for a long time, and I know that we have our hands full with a lot of the issues that he presents. Whether he's in the box or as a post safety, you've just got to be aware of him at all times. Definitely looking forward to a challenge, knowing that we'll get their best effort, especially with him in the ball game."

Fight for the crown

With the Saints and Panthers reeling as of late, all eyes are on the Buccaneers and Falcons for the NFC South crown. Both teams enter into this matchup coming off losses, and both teams hold a 4-3 record. The Falcons are undefeated in the division so far, while the Bucs' sole loss in the division came against the Falcons in overtime fashion two weeks ago.

According to how things shake out down the road, this could be a game both the Falcons and Bucs circle that has the potential to make or break any hope of a postseason appearance. In essence, both teams need this win. It'll be about who wants it more.

Player of the Game prediction: Kirk Cousins

Can lightening strike in the same spot twice? That is the question.

Cousins was the talk of the league the day after the Falcons defeated the Bucs in Week 5. With the whole league watching — thanks to a Thursday Night Football primetime slot — Cousins shined, breaking Matt Ryan's Falcons record for the most passing yards thrown in a single game.

The veteran quarterback led the team to the 36-30 overtime win. Both Drake London and Darnell Mooney went over 100 receiving yards that night, while Cousins spread the ball out to seven total receivers, too, with five of the seven surpassing 60-yards receiving apiece. It was a performance to remember for Cousins. He may not have to break records like last time, but it does bring up the question of whether or not he can do it, again. That we will have to wait and see.