By james art The Buccaneers are ranked eighth in the NFL with 135.1 yards per game. They have had at least 100 yards rushing in a total of five games, including the last four.
That could present a problem for the Falcons, whose defense ranks 24th in the league allowing 137 yards per game.
“It always starts with running, just in general,” Morris said. “I think most coaches say that as a cliché. But realistically, with those guys and how they’ve run the ball the last couple of weeks — what they’ve been able to do to be successful against the Saints and as well as Baltimore (Ravens) and us spitting out that big game — I think they’ve really done a good job .”
In their win against the Saints, the Buccaneers managed a season-high 277 yards rushing. Take that number with a grain of salt, though: New Orleans’ defense is ranked 29th with 146.7 yards allowed per game.
The Ravens, however, have the top-ranked run defense, allowing just 68.4 rushing yards per game, and the Buccaneers still rushed for 125 yards in their loss.
And then, to touch on Morris’ last example, the Buccaneers had 160 yards lost to the Falcons. White had a huge 56-yard run in the second quarter that accounted for most of Tampa Bay’s 82-yard touchdown drive.
These are the Buccaneers’ last three games. Each still included more passing yards than rushing. But both of the Buccaneers’ top wide receivers, Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (ankle; will miss the rest of the season) are already injured, leaving quarterback Baker Mayfield without his favorite targets.
“I’m definitely sure they’re going to want to try to lean on the run a little bit,” Jarrett said. “But I don’t think they will be afraid to pass the ball.
That’s why taming the three-headed monster is vital to the Falcons’ success Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
“They’ve been really productive running the football the last few weeks, which I know wasn’t a perceived strength for those guys,” Morris said. “It just happened.”