Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Buccaneers at Falcons: Five Bold Predictions

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Here are five bold predictions for the Buccaneers and their upcoming game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Nov 1, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) celebrates with guard Logan Mankins (70) after their win over the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Buccaneers won 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Week one is rapidly approaching. The new year begins on September 11th, as your Buccaneers take on the Atlanta Falcons from the Georgia Dome. Finally, the speculation can end and the analysis can begin. Can Jameis Winston take the next step? Will the new-look defense be the one that takes the team back to the playoffs? We will find out soon.

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But for now, the speculation continues. Earlier today we gave you five potential game-changing players. Next, we have some bold predictions for the game. Trust me, you guys will like these, so let’s get right to it.

Aug 20, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) and wide receiver Mike Evans (13) celebrate after a touchdown in the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Evans Torches Atlanta for Two Touchdowns

It’s a coming out party for Winston and his favorite target.

We have talked at length about the difference in Evans from year one to year two. His yardage went up but the touchdowns went way down. A big reason for that was the injury to Vincent Jackson. As we all know, “VJax” is back. For his career against the Falcons, Evans has posted 19 catches for 286 yards and two touchdowns.

In the preseason, Atlanta allowed nearly 70% of opposing passes to be completed, and opposing quarterbacks posted a 93.6 passer rating against them. Winston completed 60% of his passes against the Falcons and posted a passer rating of 87.2. Look for continued success on Sunday and for these two to hook up big time.

Aug 31, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Washington Redskins running back Mack Brown (34) runs the ball in for a touchdown as Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Noah Spence (57) attempted to defend during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Noah Spence Will Post a Sack

It’s a solid debut for the rookie.

The Bucs did a great deal of work, as we know, at improving the pass rush. Robert Ayers moves down from New York to join the rush. Noah Spence came via the second round of the draft, flashing his nasty speed throughout camp. Gerald McCoy has partners in crime that should get to the quarterback and help him run free.

Last year, the Falcons allowed 32 sacks, and allowed four during the 2016 preseason. Potentially Spence won’t start the game, so why predict that he will post a sack? Because there is no tape on him. Game planning for guys like McCoy and Ayers is easier since there is film. The Falcons have faced McCoy often and can obtain a great deal of tape on Ayers. Spence? Not so much. Look for him to flash that blazing speed and put Matt Ryan to the turf!

Aug 25, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive back Byron Maxwell (41) tackles Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Devonta Freeman Will Be Held to Under 80 Yards

The revamped defense will keep the young running back down.

Last year was a coming out party for Devonta as he ran for 1,056 yards on 265 carries and scored a league-high 11 times. His average per carry was four yards and that continued into the 2016 preseason, when he ran for 62 yards on 15 carries, a 4.1 yards per carry average. Very solid, and he is poised to put in another big year.

But, against the Bucs he has not been as good. His best date against the Bucs came last year when he rushed for 88 yards on 21 carries. In the other three game Freeman rushed for 12 yards, 16 yards, and 47 yards. Keep in mind this was against the defensive line that had not been revamped as it is now. This solid front seven will continue their success against Freeman and keep him under wraps.

Aug 26, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Roberto Aguayo (19) is congratulated after making a field goal during the second half of a football game against the Cleveland Browns at Raymond James Stadium.The Buccaneers won 30-13. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Roberto Aguayo Posts a Perfect Debut

My crystal ball is not telling me how many kicks he will make, but he will make them all.

Now that is bold, isn’t it? It’s the guy’s first time under the bright lights of an NFL season. Being a second round draft pick, there are all kinds of expectations. Aguayo is expected to right the wrongs of the kicking game from 2015. There is a lot riding on this young man from Florida State, isn’t there? Surely there will be jitters, right?

Yes, but he got over the first hump in the preseason. He had the struggles, missing kicks in the first two games, but went perfect the rest of the way. Whatever was going on either mechanically or in his head, he was able to fix. Granted, he didn’t kick well on the road, but those games were outside. In Tampa Bay he was perfect, and he starts his career in a dome.

He will be just fine.

Aug 31, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter looks on during the first half against the Washington Redskins at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Bucs Will Lead Comfortably in the Fourth Quarter

It will be a comfortable day in Dirk’s debut.

This one is more of a hunch than anything else. The feeling comes from what we talked about on the previous slides. The Atlanta running game has not been dominant against the Bucs lately, and the defense is better than it has been in previous years. Matt Ryan didn’t complete over 50% of his passes in the preseason or throw a touchdown pass.

On offense, admittedly the starters were inconsistent. But when they were good, they were very good. All of Jameis’ weapons are healthy, and the addition of Cecil Shorts gives them yet another veteran weapon with past success. This group is in position to build upon their record-setting 2015, and it starts in Atlanta.

So what do you think? How are things going to go on Sunday? Let’s discuss.

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