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    • Bijan Robinson, Jesse Bates Tampa Bay Buccaneers players to watch in the game against the Falcons
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    Bijan Robinson, Jesse Bates Tampa Bay Buccaneers players to watch in the game against the Falcons

    Kathleen William Posted on

    After an impressive win over the Eagles in Week 4, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to Atlanta for a Thursday night football showdown with the Falcons. The Falcons, who were crowned NFC South champions before a loss, had mixed results this season, going 2-2 and winning both games by just three total points. The Bucs, on the other hand, suffered a tough loss to the Broncos, but proved they are capable of scoring points with two big wins over the Commanders and Eagles and a tough win over the Lions.

    However, all of that is lost in division games. With the Falcons' win over the Saints in Week 3, they hold a divisional win over the Bucs, and if they can secure a win on Thursday they will move into sole possession of the NFC South. Both teams are in top form this week and both teams have talented playmakers on both ends of the pitch. Here are the Falcons' best healthy players on offense and defense.

    RB Bijan Robinson

    Robinson is the Falcons' best offensive weapon. The versatile defender can line up anywhere in the lineup from the backfield to the outfield and is a player to consider on every snap. His rushing abilities are highlighted by his excellent field vision and agility to hit gaps before they open and make defenders miss in tight spaces. A true home run threat, he reaches top speed quickly, and his size and sturdy frame make him difficult to bring down. As a pass-catcher, Robinson can run routes like a receiver, creating mismatches for linebackers and safeties tasked with covering him. The do-it-all back has added 224 yards rushing with one touchdown and 135 yards receiving on 15 receptions this season.

    WR Drake London

    London is off to a slow start but could be canceled on any Sunday. At 6-foot-3 and 210 feet tall, his combination of size and speed makes him a difficult cover, leading to mismatches against smaller corners. A 77-inch wingspan gives him an impressive catch radius, and he uses his frame to eliminate defenders when attacked. However, as an experienced route runner, London has improved and can run the entire tree. It is capable of tackling everything from short to deep routes, giving it added versatility. He has strong hands and has demonstrated the ability to make difficult catches through traffic and adjust body control to balls and high-point catches. London has 200 yards on 20 receptions and two touchdowns.

    RG Chris Lindstrom

    The Falcons' lone offensive All-Pro has developed into one of the best guards in football over the years. Lindstrom is a dominant run blocker who uses his strength and power to move defenders at the point of attack. Lindstrom wins with refined technique and hand placement that allows him to maintain leverage and control. As a pass blocker, he uses quick feet and the right angles to mirror rushers and neutralize defenders before they can disrupt the play. He is very agile for his size and shows the ability to step up to the plate as a puller and efficiently climb to the second level to take on backers and safeties. He's struggled a bit in pass defense this season, which is uncharacteristic as he's allowed 13 pressures, eight rushes, four hits and one sack.

    READ MORE: 5 Bucs players ruled out against Falcons

    S Jessie Bates

    Bates, the Falcons' other All-Pro, was dominant last year and one of the best safeties in football. As a true midfielder, he can completely take over parts of the field. He shows a tremendous ability to read the quarterback's eyes and know where the ball is going, allowing him to break through the ball and disrupt the play through pass deflections, quick tackles and interceptions. Bates is known for his ability to quickly diagnose plays and concepts and put himself in a position to make plays on the ball. Not only is he excellent at covering the deep half of the field, but he can also be effective near the line of scrimmage and in run support. Through four games, he is third on the team with 29 tackles and has already recorded one interception after tallying six last season.

    DL Grady Jarrett

    After a torn ACL suffered in Week 8 of last season, Jarrett is back like he never left. His ability to destroy the pocket with brute strength and force his way into the backfield was on display early in the season and he hasn't lost much of the first step that made him so explosive. What makes Jarrett so difficult to defend, aside from his size, is his active hands, constantly working to take down blockers with a variety of pass-rush moves. While he was effective as a pass rusher with 10 pressures, four hits and hurries and 1.5 sacks, Jarrett was shifty as a run defender. Although he has five stops and his average depth of attack is 0.2 yards, second best among defensive linemen, he was thrown out of his gap on multiple occasions, resulting in gains on the ground. Overall, the Falcons' run defense has struggled, as they are the eighth-worst run defense in the league.

    CB AJ Terrell

    Terrell got paid this offseason and signed a four-year, $81 million contract before the season. Terrell is one of the better man coverage cornerbacks in the league and has shown the ability to block some of the NFL's best wide receivers. He has good size for the position and possesses elite speed, able to keep up with the faster receivers, recover from mistakes, and chase down receivers and ball carriers. He uses effective hand technique to hinder receivers at the line to disrupt their running routes and excellent footwork to keep receivers in phase. In four games, he had 19 tackles, was tackled 17 times and didn't allow a touchdown.

    The Falcons brought back impressive talent on both sides of the ball and have added to it this offseason. The biggest move was signing veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, but they also helped the passing game even more with the signing of former Bears wideout Darnell Mooney. Through four games, Mooney leads the Bears in yardage and has made several big plays. On defense, the Falcons brought in two late additions to the team: Justin Simmons and Matt Judon. Simmons has already made an impact, recording an interception and forming a formidable duo with Bates. Meanwhile, Judon has made his presence felt with eight pressures and 1.5 of the Falcons' four sacks this season and provided solid tackling and run defense.

    Stick with it Bucs game day for more FREE coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2024 season.

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    Kathleen William
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