The Falcons and Buccaneers will meet early this year in their first divisional matchup of the 2021 season. Tampa Bay is a massive 12.5-point favorite, which is the largest spread of the Week 2 games. Last week, everyone on the Bucs feasted except for Mike Evans, but like most weeks, someone on this high-powered offense is going to be left out. The same cannot be said for Atlanta, as no single member of the offense had a memorable performance. That should change in Week 2.
Falcons
Kyle Pitts, Calvin Ridley, and Mike Davis had disappointing outings in Week 1, but Pitts saw one of the highest target shares among tight ends as he racked up eight targets. Ridley had an equal amount of targets as they established themselves as the two top options for Matt Ryan. The Bucs have injuries in their secondary and gave up the third-most PPR points in Week 1. Start both Pitts and Ridley.
I wouldn’t start Matt Ryan unless I were desperate, but I imagine a bounce-back performance is in store against this overrated Tampa defense that allowed an ungodly amount of points to the Cowboys. The Falcons running game looked impressive during the first couple of drives against Philadelphia, but I wouldn’t start Mike Davis or Cordarrelle Patterson against this Tampa Bay front seven. The Cowboys could only muster 60 total rush yards in Week 1 — sit em’ both.
Buccaneers
It is Russian Roulette with these Tampa Bay pass catchers. One of Antonio Brown, Mike Evans, or Chris Godwin will be left out week to week, depending on matchups. Against the Cowboys, it was Evans. I feel confident AB will emerge as this offense’s go-to guy as he returns to form. He was targeted seven times and showed big-play ability on a 47-yard touchdown catch. You have to start all three, and they might all go over 20 points against this awful Falcons defense. Obviously, Tom Brady should be starting in every league.
This leaves Gronk and the running back committee of Rojo and Lenny. Many around the Tampa organization have said Gronk looks like his old self, which could be the perfect sleeper pick if you snagged him late in your draft. Bruce Arians has already stated that Ronald Jones will start after fumbling the ball in Week 1, but I wouldn’t be sure he will carry the load for Tampa; Leonard Fournette will get an equal amount of carries — sit em’ both.
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