As the Atlanta Falcons begin to wind down their final preparations to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they will head into Sunday’s division showdown with an opportunity to take sole possession of first place in the NFC South. And while the Bucs will be hitting the field without Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (ankle), 92-9 The Game’s Mark Zinno expressed his concern of the Falcons weakened pass rush and their ability to get sacks on Baker Mayfield.
“If they can’t get Baker (Mayfield) on the ground this week, they may be asking themselves for trouble,” Zinno said on The Steakhouse on Friday as he was joined by 92-9 The Game Falcons’ reporter Joe Patrick, as they previewed Sunday’s matchup.
Noting the negative impact sacks, which the Falcons are last in the NFL with six, can have on teams, Patrick reminded Zinno of the 2023 Falcons, Bucs game in which they Falcons were positioned to take control of the NFC South, however failed to do so as Mayfield led Tampa to a game-winning drive thanks to his ability to keep plays alive with his scrambling ability.
“It’s still going to be a difficult game because Baker Mayfield is that competitor and is going to be able to make things happen for his team,” Patrick said as explained seeing how the Bucs adjust to being with out their two star wide receivers is something to keep an eye on throughout the game.
“I have a feeling they’re going to be using tons of motion, tons of that RPO, quick game stuff,” Patrick said of what he believes the Bucs will turn to offensively as Mayfield has been successful in the past in those types of play designs.
