Probable starters
Bucs offense
WR: Mike Williams 19
LT: Donald Penn 70
LG: Jeremy Zuttah 76
C: Jeff Faine 52
RG: Davin Joseph 75
RT: Jeremy Trueblood 65
TE: Kellen Winslow 82
WR: Arrelious Benn 17
QB: Josh Freeman 5
RB: LeGarrette Blount 27
FB: Earnest Graham 34
Bucs defense
LDE: Michael Bennett 71
DT: Gerald McCoy 93
DT: Brian Price 92
RDE: Adrian Clayborn 94
SLB: Dekoda Watson 56
MLB: Mason Foster 59
WLB: Geno Hayes 54
LCB: Aqib Talib 25
RCB: Ronde Barber 20
SS: Sean Jones 26
FS: Cody Grimm 35
special teams
P: Michael Koenen 9
PK: Connor Barth 10
KO: Michael Koenen 9
PR/KR: Preston Parker 87
falcons offense
WR: Julio Jones 11
LT: Sam Baker 72
LG: Justin Blalock 63
C: Todd McClure 62
RG: Garrett Reynolds 75
RT: Tyson Clabo 77
TE: Tony Gonzalez 88
WR: Roddy White 84
QB: Matt Ryan 2
RB: Michael Turner 33
FB: Ovie Mughelli 34
Falcons defense
LDE: Ray Edwards 93
DT: Peria Jerry 94
DT: Vance Walker 99
RDE: John Abraham 55
SLB: Stephen Nicholas 54
MLB: Curtis Lofton 50
WLB: Sean Weatherspoon 56
LCB: Brent Grimes 20
RCB: Dunta Robinson 23
SS: William Moore 25
FS: Thomas DeCoud 28
special teams
P: Matt Bosher 5
PK: Matt Bryant 3
KO: Matt Bryant 3
PR/KR: Eric Weems 14
Injury report
BUCS — Out: T James Lee (knee), WR Sammie Stroughter (foot). Doubtful: LB Quincy Black (ankle). Questionable: DE Tim Crowder (calf), TE Kellen Winslow (knee).
FALCONS — Out: DT Jonathan Babineaux (knee), CB Kelvin Hayden (hamstring). Questionable: LB Stephen Nicholas (calf). Probable: DE John Abraham (thigh), DE Ray Edwards (foot), C Todd McClure (knee), DT Corey Peters (back), S Shann Schillinger (neck), WR Roddy White (knee).
Stat pack
4:15 p.m., Raymond James Stadium, Tampa | Radio: 620-AM, 103.5-FM | Line, O/U: Bucs by 11/2; 451/2
avg. Rushing yards
avg. passing yards
avg. yards
avg. Rushing yards allowed
avg. passing yards allowed
avg. yards allowed
Bucs
falcons
80.5 25th
124 9th
156 31st
110.5 18th
Bucs coach Raheem Morris says this series can't be called a rivalry until Tampa Bay wins a game under his leadership. That hasn't happened yet as the Bucs are winless in their past five meetings with the Falcons (four of those under Morris). The average margin in the five games, however, is 5.2 points. Last season, both games came down to the final possession. The Bucs are healthier today than the last meeting, and the Falcons are not nearly as good on the road as they are at home.
Falcons' best offensive player
Quarterback Matt Ryan, right, has a lot of stars around him, including receiver Roddy White, tight end Tony Gonzalez and running back Michael Turner. But he has the biggest impact on the Falcons' fate. He hasn't been sharp this season and has a 5-8 touchdown-to-interception margin in six games against the Bucs.
Falcons' best defensive player
End John Abraham, left, has 1041/2 sacks since joining the Falcons in 2006, including two against the Bears in the season opener. But he doesn't have a sack against the Bucs since 2008, when he had four in two games. Last week against the Eagles, Abraham registered a forced fumble. He will pose a great test for Bucs left tackle Donald Penn.
What the Falcons do best
Control the ball with running back Michael Turner then use their weapons in the passing game once they have sucked the defense in. The Falcons added receiver Julio Jones in the draft after paying dearly in a trade up to the No. 6 pick.
You can beat the Falcons if …
You can exploit their defense for big plays. Atlanta gave up seven plays of 20 yards or longer against the Eagles last week. During its current five-game losing streak to the Falcons, the Bucs don't have nearly enough explosive offensive plays.
The Bucs must avoid …
Drumroll … Another slow start. The Falcons won't give up a big lead like the one the Vikings did last week against the Bucs. Atlanta's defense, while inconsistent, has some playmakers who will make coming from behind tough. And Atlanta is capable of eating the clock with running back Michael Turner limiting opponents' time of possession.
Prediction
Bucs 24, Falcons 23
244.5 15th
228 21st
325 20th
352 17th
414.5 28th
412 27th
258.5 19th
301.5 27th
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