Atlanta Falcons

Buccaneers: Week Nine Report Card vs. Atlanta Falcons

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

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Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter talks with wide receiver Mike Evans (13) on the sidelines against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

It was a rough night for the Buccaneers, falling to their division rivals for the first time in two years. Here are the grades.

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It was not the best of nights for the Buccaneers. The offense couldn’t get much going, other than Jameis Winston to Mike Evans. The defense got some pass rush going, but overall couldn’t stop anyone. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Falcons had nearly posted 400 yards of total offense, which obviously is unacceptable.

The injuries piled up by the end of the night, giving us the first appearance of Mike Glennon late. All in all, it was a very ugly night as the Bucs fell another full game behind in the NFC South race with a 3-5 record. The final score is above, but truthfully, it never really was that close.

Let’s get right to the report card grades.

Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) throws the ball during the second quarter of a football game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterbacks: C-

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The numbers weren’t terrible for Winston: 23-37, 261 yards and three touchdowns. But the game is not played on paper, and it just wasn’t a great night for him. His accuracy was inconsistent which is par for the course when talking about our second year quarterback.

For all of the connections with Mike Evans, there were plenty of throws that sailed on Jameis. The one-handed catch that Evans made was on a throw that was quite high.

He also turned the ball over once on a fumble, leading to a Falcons’ score.

Many of the yards amassed by Winston were ostensibly during garbage time when the game was already out of reach. That’s when number become good for fantasy football, but not actually good by the “eye” test.

In his first action, Mike Glennon did look good, going 10-11 for 75 yards and a touchdown, though still in garbage time.

Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Peyton Barber (43) runs with the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Running Backs: D

What is the best friend of a young quarterback? A solid running game. What didn’t the Bucs have on Thursday night? A solid running game.

It’s about as simple as it can be said.

Granted, the depth chart is slim. Dirk Koetter was not looking to go into this game with Mike James, Peyton Barber and Antone Smith in the backfield. But, injuries happen. Doug Martin, Charles Sims and Jacquizz Rodgers were out. The next guys have to step up, period.

And they didn’t.

Barber led the way with a whopping 31 yards on the ground, and the longest run by a running back went eight yards.

Not good.

Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) celebrates with quarterback Jameis Winston (3) after scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends: B

This was probably the best position group of the night.

How good is Evans? Before we even look at the numbers, how sick is this?

.@MikeEvans13_. ONE HANDED.

Wow. ????#ATLvsTB #TNF https://t.co/zveZCu8k3V

— NFL (@NFL) November 4, 2016

Mr. Beckham had nothing on Evans with this one. He is rapidly becoming an elite receiver, posting 11 receptions on the night for a game-high 150 yards and two touchdowns. It’s unfortunate that Evans nearly had his head taken off, ending with a concussion evaluation. But, what a player, huh? He’s like a tall redwood tree in the red zone.

Adam Humphries is turning into quite the nice player as well. He is not Julian Edelman, yet, but he is that type of player. But, he’s a slot receiver, and they missed Russell Shepard. Adam did all he could with five receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown, but they needed another weapon.

Cameron Brate had a nice night of his own, adding 43 yards and a touchdown on five catches of his own. He has already posted career-high numbers with eight games left in the season.

Sep 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Joe Hawley (68) sets against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 40-7. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Line: D

No gold stars going out to this group.

Winston may have only been sacked three times, but he took a pounding. He was hit early and often. Joe Hawley left the game with an injury, and the line pretty much left the game all night. They were undisciplined with costly penalties. The quarterback got beaten up.

They did the running game no favors either. As we talked about two slides ago, the top running back on the night posted 31 yards. Yes, they are backups, but the offensive line can cure some of those ills with some gaping holes. They didn’t do that.

Back to the drawing board.

Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) is congratulated by outside linebacker Lavonte David (54) after he sacked Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) (not pictured) during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Line: C-

Nobody is getting good grades on a defense that gave up 461 yards.

Oh, they did have a couple of nice moments. Gerald McCoy’s sack-fumble was a great play. William Gholston got in on the action with a sack of his own. But, in the second half when they needed to make stops to keep the Bucs in the game, they couldn’t get it done.

It’s not all their fault. Big men are going to get tired when they don’t get to take a break. Thanks to the “wonderful” performance of the offense, they were on the field a lot. It’s truly not a surprise that they got tired. But there are always going to be days when the offense just isn’t getting it done.

The defense of the Bucs wasn’t able to get it one, and it started up front.

Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) runs with the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers middle linebacker Kwon Alexander (58) defends during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Linebackers: D

It’s not going to be a good night when Kwon Alexander leaves the game with an injury.
Alexander left the game with a “stinger” and was deemed probable to return, but we never saw him again. Adarius Glanton actually led the team with six tackles in his place, but that doesn’t change the fact that it was a bad night.

They had a tough time defending the pass, which has been a theme all season long. There were openings in the middle of the field all night long. Austin Hooper ran a route right up the seam for a 28 yard touchdown reception. The group is talented as we all know, but the speed seems to be invisible when they drop back into pass coverage.

The linebackers didn’t exactly make a mark in the run game either.

Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Vernon Hargreaves (28) reacts after he got called for a penalty against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Atlanta Falcons defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 43-28. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Backs: F

The opposing quarterback went 25-34 for 344 yards and four touchdowns. If I could give a “Q”, I would.

Vernon Hargreaves is quite the talented rookie. There was a lot expected of the young man as a first round draft pick. However, he was not supposed to be the best defensive back on the field eight games into his career. He is. At times, he held his own against Julio Jones. The rest of the bunch? Not so much.

Brent Grimes has been bad. He has looked small, slow, and overmatched. The safeties? The safeties stink, there I said it. They are faked out of position as easily as an average JV high school safety, and they average showing up about an hour late to help the corners on the outside.

They have been bad, and they were bad once again against the Falcons.

Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Roberto Aguayo (19) practices a field goal from the hold of Bryan Anger (9) prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Special Teams: C

These guys were average. That’s about all we can call it.

Roberto Aguayo did make every one of his kicks, congratulations to him. We all know that ranks as a special night for the young kicker who has had his accuracy issues so far in 2016. He made both of his extra point attempts, which frankly is what is expected of hi.

Bryan Anger had a good night, dropping all three punts inside the 20 and averaging 47.3 yards per punt. The Bucs didn’t return a single kickoff, and the longest return of the night they allowed was one yard.

On November 13th, the Bucs look to get back on the winning track when the Chicago Bears come down to Florida.

Agree with the grades? Sound off below…

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