The Falcons have strung together three mediocre-to-passable efforts now, and they're probably a little lucky to have walked out of that stretch 2-1. If there was ever a time and a place to get back on track, it's this Sunday, at home in the Georgia Dome, facing a reeling Buccaneers team.
Divisional games are always dangerous, and I wouldn't dare dismiss this Bucs team out of hand. They've got an improving young quarterback with a strong arm in Jameis Winston, a terrific receiver and deep threat in Mike Evans, and a very dangerous front seven on defense. That's enough to carry them to victory, even if their secondary is garbage and they may be without a legitimate second receiving option Sunday.
That said—forgive me for repeating myself—this is a winnable game for Atlanta. They're returning home, they're still reasonably healthy, and I trust the coaches and veteran players on this team to figure out what the heck is wrong with the passing game in particular and make adjustments. They're probably not going to come out and smash Tampa Bay in the mouth like they did in 2014, but I think we'll see improved football, and a victory. We could all stand to enjoy a win that doesn't leave us anxious until the final seconds, but we'll see if we get one.
Here's everything you need to know for the game Sunday.
Falcons-Buccaneers game info
Game time: Sunday, November 1, 1 p.m. EST
Location: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
TV Channel: FOX
Radio: 92.9 The Game (Wes Durham and Dave Archer)
Listen Live: Caleb Rutherford takes you through the game with live commentary!
Online Stream: Can't give you any legal, live streams, but NFL Gamepass offers a live audio stream of the Wes Durham and Dave Archer call, and is your best option for watching the games afterwards. DirecTV also has NFL Sunday Ticket, which is worth checking out..
Announcers: Justin Kutcher, Charles Davis, Tony Siragusa
Injury Report: We'll wait to get the final report, but William Moore and Leonard Hankerson both seem questionable at best to play this weekend.
Odds: Falcons are favored by seven points
Prediction: Falcons win 35-27
Opposition: Bucs Nation
Twitter: @TheFalcoholic
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheFalcoholic
2015 Atlanta Falcons schedule
Week 7: @Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m., Sunday, October 25
Week 8: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m., Sunday, November 1
Week 9: @San Francisco 49ers, 4:05 p.m., Sunday, November 8
Week 10: BYE WEEK
Week 11: Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m., Sunday, November 22
Week 12: Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m., Sunday, November 29
Week 13: @Buccaneers, 1 p.m., Sunday, December 6
Week 14: @Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m., Sunday, December 13
Week 15: @Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m., Sunday, December 20
Week 16: Panthers, 1 p.m., Sunday, December 27
Week 17: Saints, 1 p.m., Sunday, January 3