The Bucs face their biggest test of the season, putting a four-game win streak on the line. The key to this game: Tampa Bay's porous pass defense against league-leading passer Matt Ryan. Can the Bucs limit the damage enough to give their quarterback, Josh Freeman, an opportunity to win?
Falcons' top offensive player
QB Matt Ryan, right, is having a career year, and it's no coincidence the Falcons are flying high. He has thrown for an NFL-high 3,072 yards and 20 touchdowns. His .718 winning percentage since 2008 is third best in the NFL.
Falcons' top defensive player
End John Abraham, left, is having another big year with nine sacks. Key stat: Abraham has just one sack against the Bucs over the past six meetings.
What the Falcons do best
With downfield threats in receivers Roddy White and Julio Jones and tight end Tony Gonzalez, the Falcons throw deep early and often.
How you beat the Falcons
Get them into a shootout. The Saints did that in handing the Falcons their only loss. The Bucs average more points than Atlanta.
Bucs must avoid …
Turnovers. After playing so soundly in previous weeks, the Bucs had three last week and barely won. That can't happen.
Prediction
Falcons 28, Bucs 24
Projected starters
BUCS
OFFENSE
WR: Vincent Jackson
LT: Donald Penn
LG: Jeremy Zuttah
C: Ted Larsen
RG: Jamon Meredith
RT: Demar Dotson
TE: Dallas Clark
WR: Mike Williams
QB: Josh Freeman
RB: Doug Martin
FB: Erik Lorig
DEFENSE
LDE: Michael Bennett
DT: Gerald McCoy
DT: Roy Miller
RDE: Daniel
Te'o-Nesheim
SLB: Adam Hayward
MLB: Mason Foster
WLB: Lavonte David
CB: E.J. Biggers
CB: Eric Wright
SS: Mark Barron
FS: Ronde Barber
special teams
PR: Roscoe Parrish
KR: LeQuan Lewis
PK: Connor Barth
P/KO: Michael Koenen
falcons
OFFENSE
WR: Julio Jones
LT: Sam Baker
LG: Justin Blalock
C: Robert McClure
RG: Peter Konz
RT: Tyson Clabo
TE: Tony Gonzalez
WR: Roddy White
QB: Matt Ryan
RB: Michael Turner
WR: Hugh Douglas
DEFENSE
LDE: John Abraham
DT: Corey Peters
DT: Jonathan Babineaux
RDE: Peria Jerry
OLB: Mike Peterson
MLB: Sean Weatherspoon
OLB: Stephen Nicholas
CB: Dunta Robinson
CB: Asante Samuel
SS: Will Moore
FS: Thomas DeCoud
special teams
PR: Dominique Franks
KR: Jacquizz Rodgers
PK/KO: Matt Bryant
P: Matt Bosher
Stat pack
1, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa | Radio: Ch. 13; 620-AM, 103.5-FM | Line, O/U: Falcons by 1; 50
Injury report
Bucs — Out: S Cody Grimm (hamstring). Questionable: CB Eric Wright (Achilles). Probable: DE Michael Bennett (shoulder), S Ahmad Black (illness), CB Leonard Johnson (heel), DE Aaron Morgan (shoulder), WR Tiquan Underwood (head), LB Dekoda Watson (hamstring).
Falcons: Out: S Charles Mitchell (calf). Questionable: WR Kevin Cone (groin), DT Peria Jerry (quadriceps), WR Julio Jones (ankle), CB Asante Samuel (shoulder), DT Vance Walker (ribs), LB Sean Weatherspoon (illness, ankle). Probable: DE John Abraham (back), DT Jonathan Babineaux (neck), K Matt Bryant (back), CB Christopher Owens (thigh), QB Matt Ryan (finger), RB Michael Turner (groin).
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