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Buccaneers at Falcons: 3 things we learned

By John Buhler

Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) talks with Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant (21) after their game at the Georgia Dome. The Buccaneers won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) talks with Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant (21) after their game at the Georgia Dome. The Buccaneers won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Here are the three biggest things we learned from Week 1’s game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were able to win an exciting Week 1 game over the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome, 31-24. This was the Falcons’ first loss in a home opener during the Matt Ryan era in Atlanta (2008-present).

Falcons head coach Dan Quinn is now 1-6 in NFC South play, while Tampa Bay’s Koetter gets his first win as an NFL head coach over his former team. This NFC South rivalry game was an intense battle between two teams that truly despise one another.

Tampa Bay did a better job of stuffing the run than did the Falcons defense and that was the primary difference in the Week 1 contest. Here are the three biggest takeaways from the Buccaneers’ Week 1 victory over the Falcons in Atlanta on Sunday afternoon.

1. Jameis Winston is ready to take his team to the NFC Playoffs

Winston continues to grow in Koetter’s Air Coryell attack, throwing for 281 yards on 23 of 33 passes and four touchdowns (to four different receivers, no less). Winston rarely left the pocket, and could be something very special for the Buccaneers down in Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay historically has never had a franchise quarterback. Yes, Brad Johnson helped the Buccaneers win Tampa Bay’s only Super Bowl, but Winston is the type of signal caller than can bring the Lombardi Trophy to Tampa once again.

If the defense improves under defensive coordinator Mike Smith this tall, Tampa Bay should be in the mix for a NFC Wild Card berth. Tampa Bay has not qualified for the NFC Playoffs since the 2007 NFL season.

2. Teams are going to take advantage of Atlanta’s undersized secondary

While the Falcons have an outstanding shutdown cornerback in Pro Bowler Desmond Trufant, Atlanta just does not have the physicality to hang with bigger-receiving teams like the Buccaneers.

Though the pass rush looks a tad better under Quinn and defensive coordinator Richard Smith, the Falcons have to figure out a way to high-point balls better in the middle of the field. Twice Winston found a big body in the middle of the field for an impressive touchdown pass.

Mike Evans is a talent at wide receiver and Austin Seferian-Jenkins looks improved in 2016. Though there aren’t as many physically imposing receiving corps like Tampa Bay, this could be the Falcons’ Achilles’ Heel in 2016.

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3. Matt Ryan looked better than he did in all of 2015

A nice consolation prize in defeat for the Falcons was that starting quarterback Matt Ryan finally looks comfortable in offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s West Coast offense. Ryan once thrived in Koetter’s Air Coryell in Atlanta, but looked befuddled for most of 2015 in Shanahan’s new system.

Ryan threw for 334 yards, completing 27 of his 39 passes for two touchdowns and no interceptions. Having other reliable receivers besides Julio Jones helped Ryan in this one. If he continues to develop a rapport with Mohamed Sanu and Jacob Tamme, Ryan could be back to being a Pro Bowl level passer.

Atlanta needed him to come through today. Ryan was not the reason the Falcons came up short against the Buccaneers at home in this one. Falcons nation can blame the defeat on pass defense and a non-existent running game.

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