At the beginning of the season, the Falcons (6-9) and the Buccaneers (5-10) both had visions of this being a meaningful game.
It has come down to a battle for pride and draft standing.
While the Bucs started the season with their quarterback suspended, the Falcons had to battle through a rash of key injuries.
Neither team was able to get much momentum going to post winning seasons and now must regroup in the offseason.
Falcons coach Dan Quinn has promised an exhaustive review of his coaching staff and the players.
“I’ve been such a big proponent for the end of the year you evaluate everything,” Quinn said. “We’ll certainly stay true to that.”
There’s plenty to evaluate.
The offense was built to carry the team, but couldn’t. The defense can cite injuries, but the veterans who could have stepped forward did not.
X-Factor – Attacking Jameis Winston
Over the past four seasons, Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston and Jacksonville quarterback Blake Bortles are tied for the NFL lead in interceptions, with 57.
In the Falcons' 34-29 win over the Bucs on Oct. 14, Winston completed 30 of 41 passes for 395 yards and four touchdowns, but he tossed two interceptions in the red zone.
Falcons free safety Damontae Kazee had an interception at the 5-yard line in the second quarter. Nickel back Brian Poole had an interception in the end zone in the third quarter.
Winston has shown the talent that made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft, but his decision-making has not improved. He has to take better care of the football and not be reckless with his passes.
Bucs coach Dirk Koetter noted that Winston took his check-down receiver 13 times against Dallas last week. He did force a few passes, but didn't get intercepted.
“Jameis has done a pretty good job taking care of the football since he’s come back as a starter,” Koetter said. “The two turnovers that we had last week. One of them, he got caught from behind on a sack-fumble. That was a heck of an effort by the Dallas defensive end. The other one was an exchange situation between him and a receiver on a reverse. Those had nothing to do with him making decisions.”
Winston has 13 interceptions on the season, but has thrown only three over the past six games since he was reinstated as the starter against the Giants on Nov. 18.
The Falcons are concerned about an under-control Winston, who’s making good decisions.
“Jameis has the most explosive pass (plays) in the league,” Falcons defensive end/linebacker Bruce Irvin said. “He can do it with his arm and his legs. (Wide receiver) DeSean Jackson can take the top off the back end. We have to play good sound football. Most importantly, we have to get after Jameis and make him uncomfortable because if we don’t, it will be a long day for us.”
Hot seat – Blocking Vita Vea
Tampa Bay selected defensive tackle Vita Vea with the 12th overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft.
They were projecting that he would come in and become a force playing next to the legendary Gerald McCoy.
After a slow start, Vea, who’s an agile big man at 6-foot-4 and 347 pounds, is starting to come around. Against Dallas, he played over the right guard, left guard and center on the opening drive. Center Alex Mack and guards Zane Beadles and Wes Schweitzer will have their hands full.
“He was a little bit slow in getting caught up,” Koetter said. “But now that he’s up and running, he’s been doing a good job. He’s really playing well.”
Three key matchups: Falcons at Buccaneers
Falcons MLB Deion Jones vs. Bucs RB Peyton Barber: Barber has rushed for 805 yards on 219 carries for a sub-standard 3.8 yards per carry. He has five rushing touchdowns and has rushed for over 100 yards in one game this season. After fighting with Carolina's Christian McCaffery last game, Jones likely is looking forward to tracking Barber around. Jones has averaged 10 tackles per game since his return from a broken foot four games ago.
Falcons CB Robert Alford vs. Bucs WR Mike Evans: Alford leads the Falcons in penalties, with 12, and has had four declined. He has two illegal contacts, five defensive pass-interference calls and five defensive holding calls. Evans has 80 catches for 1,418 yards and six touchdowns on the season. He was named a Pro Bowl first alternate.
Falcons WR Julio Jones vs. Bucs CB Brent Grimes: Jones wasn't 100 percent, but played with rib and hip injuries Sunday against Carolina. He finished with four catches for 28 yards. Quarterbacks have a passer rating of more than 117 when throwing against Grimes this season, according to Pro Football Focus. In 2017 and 2016, quarterbacks' passing ratings were in the 70s when throwing in his direction.
QB Corner: Matt Ryan on the Bucs
On rookie defensive tackle Vita Vea: "He's playing really well. We played them earlier in the year, so you've seen his growth and maturation. Really solid against the run. Strong player and does a nice job with internal pass-rush. Fits in well with the group of guys that they have."
On defensive ends Carl Nassib and Jason Pierre-Paul: "Yeah, solid edge guys. They both do a nice job of setting the edge in the run game. Both of them are versatile pass-rushers as well. They have a solid front four, and they rotate probably eight guys they rotate pretty regularly. So they keep them fresh, and they do a nice job up-front."
On cornerback Carlton Davis and Brent Grimes: "On the back end, Brent obviously a guy we know well and now have played against for a long time and played with for a long time. When the ball is in the air, he's really good, has a really good knack of going up and making plays. On the other side, a talented young player that I think is getting better and plays aggressive."
About the Buccaneers
» Dirk Koetter is 19-28 in three seasons as the Bucs' head coach. The former Falcons offensive coordinator (2012-14) is one loss away from leading them to their third consecutive last-place finish in the NFC South.
» The Bucs have lost their past three games and seven of the past nine games.
» This will be the 51st meeting. The Falcons lead the series 26-24 and won the last meeting 34-29 on Oct. 14.
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