Tampa Bay Bucs sports blog JoeBucsFan.com gives their Keys to the Game between the Bucs and the Atlanta Falcons:
Hey, the Bucs kick off tonight on 10 News. How great it that? If the Bucs can pull off the following keys to the game, it will be a wonderful viewing experience.
Play Keep-Away
The Falcons have the second-best offense in the NFL and top-ranked passing game, by a wide margin. So if the Falcons don't have the ball, they cannot score.
The Bucs have a decent running attack with Bobby Rainey and a heathier Doug Martin and, based on last week, a surprisingly good offensive line opening up holes for the running backs.
Getting the running game going which will keep the ball out of the hands of Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan and eat up the clock is the perfect elixir to stop the Falcons offense.
Don't Be Stupid
Josh McCown has made way too many mental mistakes in the first two games. So much so that it seems by words and actions, Bucs coach Lovie Smith doesn't trust him any longer, or at least for the time being.
McCown simply must take care of the football for the Bucs to win. Stupid mistakes that result in turnovers is just begging the Falcons to blow the Bucs out of the stadium.
Thievery
Bucs coach Lovie Smith emphasizes takeaways, forcing turnovers. The Bucs have not done that yet. As explosive as the Atlanta offense is, any time the Bucs can force a turnover will sure help.
Quarterback Pressure
Another one of Lovie Smith's axioms is getting pressure on the quarterback. The Bucs have not done that yet this year with any degree of consistency.
Atlanta is beat up on the offensive line. If ever there was a time for the Bucs to finally get after Matt Ryan, who is not exactly a mobile quarterback, this would be the time.
