FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The battle of NFC South teams continues.
The Falcons face the second of three straight divisional opponents as they take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on "Thursday Night Football" at 8:15 p.m. ET in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Both the Falcons (2-2) and Buccaneers (3-1) are coming off Week 4 wins. Atlanta pulled one out against the New Orleans Saints with a game-winning field goal while the Bucs convincingly beat the Philadelphia Eagles by 17 points.
The two teams split their season series last year with the road team earning wins. The Falcons enter this matchup with a new-look squad, but the Bucs should look familiar and are once again led by Baker Mayfield, who had a resurgent year in Tampa last season and is off to a great start in 2024. One could argue that his comeback journey began with the help of Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, who helped quickly prepare Mayfield to start in a Thursday night game for the Los Angeles Rams against the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 only two days after he joined the team.
Join the Atlanta Falcons with some of our favorite images from a short week ahead of the Thursday night matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, presented by Gatorade / FastTwitch.
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Matthew Judon #15 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro #98 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons long snapper Liam McCullough #49 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Red helmet during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant #27 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Gatorade bottles sit on the sideline during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Matthew Judon #15 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss #55 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Clark Phillips III #22 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie #17 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Justin Simmons #31 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Eddie Goldman #99 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Eddie Goldman #99 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Matthew Judon #15 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Casey Washington #82 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman David Onyemata #90 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom #63 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III #3 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons safety Justin Simmons #31 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive end James Smith-Williams #50 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts #8 and Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson #7 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Eddie Goldman #99 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter #0 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Red helmet during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford #20 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Red Helmet during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ta'Quon Graham #95 during practice at Atlanta Falcons Training Facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. (Photo by Jay Bendlin/Atlanta Falcons)
"He's a really talented player, a really talented thrower – just has every throw at his disposal, great competitor. Certainly valued the time that we had in LA together," Robinson said. "It was tough circumstances that season, it was a ton of injuries. Obviously, we were down a few quarterbacks, and he stepped in, and his leadership that he had the rest of the season with those guys was really cool to see up close and personal. I know I had a blast working with him."
The Falcons scored two touchdowns in their win against the Saints but neither came from the offense. In this one, they'll have a chance to establish the run game against a team ranked No. 22 in rushing yards allowed (526) and No. 28 in rushing yards allowed per attempt (5).
"We are just not scoring enough points, that's going to be continued emphasis on our side," Robinson said. "What we can do to make sure we're maximizing drives, punching the ball in the end zone. We get down in there, we got to score touchdowns. That's something we're constantly talking about."
While the consensus was spilt last week between two division opponents, most experts lean toward one team in this one:
| Author | Outlet | Pick |
|---|---|
| Lindsey Thiry | ESPN | Falcons |
| Kalyn Kahler | ESPN | Buccaneers |
| Dan Graziano | ESPN | Buccaneers |
| Albert Breer | Sports Illustrated | Buccaneers |
| Connor Orr | Sports Illustrated | Buccaneers |
| Pete Prisco | CBS Sports | Buccaneers |
| Vic Tafur | The Athletic | Buccanneers |
| Bill Bender | Sporting News | Buccaneers |
| Vinnie Iyer | Sporting News | Falcons |
For more complete picks, visit: ESPN, CBS Sports, Sports Illustrated, The Athletic and Sporting News.
Take a look at some of the best film photography from Week 4, when the Falcons donned their throwback red helmets against the Saints in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
A general view of the red helmets during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
A general view of the locker room before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney #1 celebrates after winning the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 walks out before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ta'Quon Graham #95 and wide receiver Drake London #5 celebrate after winning the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier #25 warms up before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Kevin King #32 runs out before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
A general view of the red helmets during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London #5 celebrates after winning the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 high fives fans before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
A general view of the red helmets during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #6 talks to punter Bradley Pinion #13 during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
A general view of the locker room before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
A general view of the locker room before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 talks to wide receiver Drake London #5 during the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
A general view of the locker room before the Week 4 Game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, September 29, 2024. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Atlanta Falcons)
