This upcoming Sunday the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the surprisingly-hot Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons started out as one of the worst teams in the NFL but have, somehow, reeled together a couple of wins these past few weeks. These two teams met earlier in the season, and I’m sure we all remember how that turned out.
The Bucs laid a serious beating to the Falcons, something to the tune of 48-25. It seems Falcons fans can’t get away from their arch-nemesis Tom Brady, and his incessant love of breaking their hearts. One thing I am certain of is that Sunday Brady will have another monster performance. The last time around he was able to rack up 276 passing yards, as well as 5 touchdowns.
The game plan shouldn’t change from the last game against the Falcons. Their defense is pretty subpar, so an aerial attack by Brady and his receivers should do just the job. In terms of defense, Matt Ryan has regressed this season, so the defense shouldn’t have any problems when it comes to him.
The big news heading into this game is that the Bucs will be without star wide receiver Antonio Brown, due to covid violations. It’s sad to see Brown sidelined from the next three games because he has so much talent, and brings so much to the field.
Brown had been having a resurgent season, one that was looking like it would reward him a new multi-year contract this off-season. Sadly, due to this breaking news, it looks as if his NFL future is up in the air. Time will tell if he is kept on the team, and the league, but one thing is for sure, there will be a stricter penalty coming.
Other than that you can expect a game in which the Buccaneers will not be tested that much by the Falcons. Heading into the final stretch of the season, the Buccaneers should be utilizing these final games to tweak some of their weak points, as well as develop a “playoff mentality” from now. This will ensure them a spot in the playoffs and have them ready to go when it’s time to play for what matters the most; the Super Bowl.
You may be reading this and wondering where all the analytics and numbers are. The truth is I prefer not to include those in my articles. Yes, preparation is key, and, as a wise man once said, “chance favors the prepared mind”. But when it comes to football, emotions rule, and there is absolutely no stopping it.
You can draw up all the analytics you want, but when it comes time to snap that football, all that is thrown out the window. That is why I cannot wait for Sunday to watch this game. Similar to when actors have to improvise, so do quarterbacks when they have to think of a new play on the spot.
That is what makes this sport so great; not knowing what is going to happen next. If I were you, I would tune in and marvel in the glory of the NFL. It’s entertainment many would die for, and that my friends, is strangely poetic. Just like Tom Brady’s career.
What do you think? What will the score of Sunday’s game be? Let me know in the comments below!