The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be reeling from Monday night's 41-31 loss to Baltimore in which their two star receivers, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, suffered potentially serious injuries, but they don't have much time to dwell on their worries revel. After a short week, they will welcome the Atlanta Falcons to Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, October 27th for an early battle for supremacy in the NFC South.

Both teams are tied atop the division at 4-3 after the Falcons also lost at home to Seattle in Week 17. However, Atlanta won the first home game of week five with a 36-30 overtime victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Whichever team prevails in Tampa next Sunday will have a one-game lead in the division, but the Falcons have a chance to secure the tiebreaker with a head-to-head matchup.

The Buccaneers will enter the game with a red-hot offense but will need to find new ways to move the ball after Evans left Monday's game early with a hamstring injury and Godwin suffered an ankle injury with a minute left in regulation. Quarterback Baker Mayfield, who leads the NFL with 18 touchdown passes, still found a way to throw for 370 yards and three scores against Baltimore.

“We have to find a way,” Mayfield said. “Short week. We'll play Atlanta at home next week for first place in the division. Guys have to show up. That's the nature of this business. I'll think about Chris and Mike.” It's going to take a while to move forward. This is no different. I have to face this thing and deal with it head on.”

The Bucs might rely more on a rushing attack that has racked up 562 yards in the last three games, including 125 on Monday against the Ravens' top-ranked run defense. Tampa Bay's coaches found a way to include Rachaad White, Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker, as that trio combined for 226 yards from scrimmage and three scores.