NFL GAME PREVIEW

Week 3 Game Scout: Bucs at Falcons

The Sports Xchange

September 17, 2014 at 10:17 am.

Matt Ryan and the Falcons will try to move to 2-1 on the season. (Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2) at Atlanta Falcons (1-1)

Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, at Georgia Dome, Atlanta – TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson

*Keys to the game: Defensive deficiencies dogged both teams to open the season and a short week will not help the cause. Atlanta allows 29 points per game and is last in the NFL in total defense, passing defense, sacks and 29th on third downs. Tampa will take direct aim at the middle of the defense with RB Doug Martin cleared to return after sitting out last week. If Martin gets consistent creases from tackle-to-tackle, QB Josh McCown should feast against a milquetoast pass rush and inexperienced cornerbacks.

Ball control is the theme for the Bucs, who are desperate to protect their own woebegone defense likely to be without two of its top players — DT Gerald McCoy (hand; out) and LB Mason Foster (shoulder; questionable). Tampa’s zone scheme thrives when the front four gets the quarterback off of his launch point. Falcons QB Matt Ryan was picked off three times at Cincinnati, but the Buccaneers are generating pressure only when blitzing. That’s not an option against Ryan, who is quick at the trigger and involving secondary receivers.

*Matchup to watch – Bucs DE Michael Johnson vs. Falcons LT Jake Matthews: Johnson is Tampa’s best hope to crash the pocket. Matthews, the Falcons’ top draft pick, is back in the lineup after spraining his ankle in the opener.

*Player spotlight – Falcons WR Devin Hester: While his contributions as a specialist have not yet been great, Hester thrived in primetime games with the Chicago Bears under current Bucs coach Lovie Smith. He could be a thorn in Smith’s side Thursday as a receiver, catching six of seven passes Ryan has thrown his way this season while averaging 16.8 yards per catch.

*Fast facts: Falcons WR Harry Douglas had 13 receptions for 383 yards and two touchdowns against the Bucs last season. … Tampa Bay is 1-5 at the Georgia Dome since 2007.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

If the Falcons avoid takeaways, their offense and home crowd is enough to muster a victory over the work-in-progress Buccaneers.

*Our pick: Falcons 29-20