Douglas's career day keys Falcons' win over Bucs

Douglas's career day keys Falcons' win over Bucs

Published Oct. 20, 2013 6:37 p.m. ET

ATLANTA — After sitting out a game for the first time in his nine-year career on Sunday, snapping a 133-game streak, Atlanta Falcons receiver Roddy White had a dream about teammate Harry Douglas the night before.

Dressing in his usual stall next to Douglas, White had envisioned an outlandish number of yards for his receiving mate, whom was informed of Roddy's reveries before the game.

In a way, the game represented a dream come true for the Falcons, who entered a not-so-pleasantly surprising 1-4.

Missing White and Julio Jones (the NFL leader in receiving yards before incurring a season-ending foot injury on Oct. 7), the Falcons needed production from elsewhere and Douglas, in his sixth season, rose to the occasion with a career game in Atlanta's 31-23 victory at the Georgia Dome, dropping winless Tampa Bay to 0-6.

"I’m the type of person that I never shy away from it," Douglas said. Jones "went down and Roddy wasn’t playing. I wanted the challenge. I've always been like that my whole life."

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (20 of 26 for 273 yards and three TDs) — who posted a career-high passer rating against the Bucs (148.4) — targeted Douglas seven times, and Douglas responded by catching every ball.

Douglas finished with 149 yards and a touchdown, including a 54-yard reception and 37-yard scoring catch.

Only five of Ryan's other targets went to wide receivers. Undrafted rookie Darius Johnson, who made his NFL debut after being signed off the practice squad a day earlier, caught two passes for 24 yards and Drew Davis made a spectacular, one-handed diving grab for 24 yards.

The only other receiver targeted was Brian Robiskie (signed off the street last week), but a Buccaneers defender tipped away that throw in the end zone.

With tight end Tony Gonzalez drawing double coverage, he caught only two passes for 30 yards.

"I hope you're not surprised by what Harry did today," Gonzalez said. "He is definitely a capable person. Without Julio and Roddy, your chances of making those plays go down but Harry played great for us today. He’s just another weapon."

The Falcons used plenty of checkdowns and screens, throwing often to back Jacquizz Rodgers, who caught eight balls for 46 yards and two touchdowns.

Douglas entered the game with 1,727 career yards. His seasonal high stands at 498 from 2011. Previously, his single-game high was 133 yards — against the Saints from two years ago.

Ryan said Douglas's quickness helped him get open and make big plays. On the touchdown catch, Ryan said Douglas made a quick move to the post and then went over the top.

He also cited a deep crossing route in which Douglas created separation with his speed.

"He did a great job with his patience on the routes, allowing the appropriate time to set up for me to get into the spot I need to get,” Ryan said. “I think our timing was good. ... He’s a quick guy and I think that we used him effectively today."

It's one thing for Douglas to make the occasional big play by exploiting matchups as Atlanta's slot receiver, going up against nickel backs in previous seasons. But on Sunday, Douglas occasionally lined up opposite against Bucs corner Darrelle Revis.

(At other times, the Falcons lined Douglas up in the slot.)

In college, Douglas (a Louisville alum) often competed against Pitt's Revis in Big East play.

"I mean, it's cool but I went up against Revis in college a couple of times,” Douglas said of the matchup. "It wasn’t like it was the first time I went against him. He's still an outstanding player, I think, still the best corner in the NFL right now. It was great going against him and talking to him a little bit during the game and stuff."

Of equal importance, Douglas had a terrific game, knowing in advance the Bucs were plotting to stop him.

"We were not really concerned about the other receivers but we knew Douglas was the third receiver," Revis said, “and he had a great game."

White, whose ironman streak was the sixth-longest active one, among non-specialists, sat out Sunday's game with a right ankle injury and left hamstring malady.

It’s hard to forecast when White will return. The Falcons ruled him out on Friday, but head coach Mike Smith made it sound as if the club was never optimistic about White for Week 7.

The test for Douglas — and to help the Falcons get back into the NFC playoff race — will be to replicate this performance over and over, as needed. Atlanta travels to Arizona and Carolina over the next two weeks.

"For me, I don’t prepare any differently," Douglas said. "I approach everything the same. I got to go out and be Harry. I can’t go out here and be somebody that I’m not so I approached it the same away. I just knew I was going to have more opportunities. That’s basically it."

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