Injured Buccaneers aim to continue winning streak in division matchup | Sports

ATLANTA — The Buccaneers are in Atlanta tonight to tackle the Falcons on Thursday Night Football.

The Bucs will probably be with out 5 gamers for the sport.

Defensive lineman Calijah Kancey, security Antoine Winfield Jr., sort out Luke Goedeke, broad receiver Jalen McMillan and broad receiver Trey Palmer are out.

The Bucs could have their work reduce out with the lacking personnel, however coach Todd Bowles mentioned he expects a next-man-up mentality.

“We will go with what we got,” Bowles mentioned this week. “We got guys that stepped up, and they’ll have to step up again.”

The Falcons had been extensively thought of the favourite to win the division after the offseason addition of quarterback Kirk Cousins.

The Falcons (2-2) have proven flashes of promise as Cousins has led two game-winning drives, however the veteran hasn’t matched the manufacturing of Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield that has led the Buccaneers to the highest of the division.

The most up-to-date proof of blended outcomes got here Sunday in the Falcons’ 26-24 win over the New Orleans Saints. Atlanta gained regardless of not scoring an offensive landing, whereas Kyle Pitts was held with out a catch and Bijan Robinson ran for under 28 yards.

Atlanta coach Raheem Morris mentioned he’ll take the win and let others fret in regards to the numbers.

“Really, for me, stats are for losers,” Morris mentioned after the sport.

Tampa Bay is at the moment in first place in the NFC South at 3-1, forward of Atlanta and New Orleans, each 2-2. The Bucs are hoping to construct on their early-season success. After Atlanta, the Bucs play on the Saints, host the Baltimore Ravens and Falcons after which play on the Kansas City Chiefs and host the San Francisco 49ers.

Mayfield mentioned they know what's at stake in opposition to a divisional opponent in prime time.

Wide receiver Mike Evans turned the Buccaneers’ profession scoring chief final week. Evans is just one half in a passing sport that additionally options broad receiver Chris Godwin. The crew additionally promoted Sterling Shepard from the observe squad as another choice for Mayfield.

“I think that it really makes it difficult for the defense,” Godwin mentioned. “It’s one thing when a guy is going off because you feed the hot hand, right? But if we’re able to spread the ball around that much, everybody gets involved. … You can mix in your quick game, your deep passing game, play actions, screens.”

The Bucs have gained the previous three NFC South titles. This is their fourth 3-1 begin in the previous 5 years. They’ve additionally been profitable in opposition to Atlanta these days, winning six of the previous eight conferences between the division rivals, outscoring the Falcons by 51 factors in these video games.

Godwin attributes a few of Mayfield’s success to the consolation degree that comes with being with the identical crew for a second season.

“And yes, this is our first year in this offensive system, but it’s his second year with this group of guys, and I think the camaraderie that we built last year really helped,” Godwin mentioned.

“I think the adversity that we faced when we all stuck together — I think (that) really helps this year. I think it’s just a natural maturation process, just for him as a player.” 

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.