The Buccaneers will play their first NFC South opponent of the year when the team travels to face the Atlanta Falcons in Week Five. The Buccaneers and Falcons will face off in the club's first primetime game of the season on Thursday, Oct. 3, at 8:15 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video. Coming off a dominant 33-16 victory over the visiting Philadelphia Eagles in Week Four, Tampa Bay will vie to continue the momentum against the Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Here are five Buccaneers to observe in Week Five via Thursday Night Football:
Vita Vea
Chris Lindstrom is a key cog in the Falcons' offensive line. The Falcons rewarded him with a lucrative contract extension in 2023, making him the league's highest-paid guard. Originally a first-round pick in 2019, Lindstrom pairs elite athleticism with initial quickness. He has the lateral agility to make second-level blocks to extend rush lanes. Lindstrom reacts well to twists/stunts and has only allowed one sack through four games per PFF. On Thursday, he will face Bucs' menacing nose tackle Vita Vea. Vea is a force in the interior, creating push and the one-man wrecking crew helped set the tone against Philadelphia on Sunday. He recorded three tackles (two for loss) and 1.0 sack. Vea's club sack was his first of the season and increased his career total to 24.5. The Washington product intimidates at the point of attack and routinely commands double teams. Vea has the capability of taking over a game and this will be a key matchup on TNF.
Chris Godwin
In the last 11 games against the Falcons, Chris Godwin has tallied 70 receptions, an average of 87.5 receiving yards per game, nine receiving touchdowns and 45 first down receptions. He currently ranks third in the NFL in receptions (27) and sixth in receiving yards (322). Godwin has been an offensive catalyst this season and took advantage of the Eagles' two-high shell coverage in Week Four. Godwin was quick out of breaks and used his strength at the catch point and frame to box out defenders. He is adept at picking up run-after-catch off screens and slants, and Godwin will face Falcons' cornerback Dee Alford on Thursday. Alford covers the slot and has posted 25 tackles and a sack in 2024. He is five-foot-11, 177-pounds and the Buccaneers will try and use Godwin's physicality against the smaller defensive back.
Zyon McCollum
Drake London has become a go-to weapon for Kirk Cousins and leads the Falcons in receptions. London, the eighth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, possesses high-point ability. He pairs an impressive catch radius with a feel for angles to generate space. London's size creates mismatches and he will face off with Bucs' Zyon McCollum on Thursday. McCollum has the hip fluidity to match releases from his backpedal and has improved as a tackler in space. He is effective in both man and zone, and makes plays on the ball with outstanding ball skills and route recognition. McCollum has racked up six passes defensed and an interception in four games and the third-year corner will strive to make his mark against Atlanta.
Ben Bredeson
Ben Bredeson, a free agent pickup during the offseason, has manned the starting left guard spot. Bredeson plays with a tough disposition and effective punch. He can offset power rushes with his drive blocking skills and will go up against Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata on Thursday. In 2023, Jarrett went down in the eighth game with a torn ACL and has shown no signs of regression in 2024. He leads the Falcons in sacks with 1.5 and has accumulated seven quarterback pressures. Jarrett is a penetrator, quickly getting into offensive linemen off the snap. He plays with power and leverage, often overwhelming centers and guards. Jarrett plays through the whistle and fortifies Atlanta's line.
Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield completed 30 of 47 passes (63.8%) for 347 yards and two passing touchdowns, with zero interceptions, to earn a passer rating of 100.2 against the Eagles in Week Four. Mayfield also added four carries for 10 yards and one rushing touchdown. Through four games, Mayfield has completed 91-of-129 passes (70.5%) for 984 yards and eight passing touchdowns compared to two interceptions, good for a passer rating of 106.9. After four weeks, Mayfield's passer rating ranks fourth in the NFL, and his eight passing touchdowns rank second. Against Philadelphia, Mayfield delivered tight window throws with pinpoint accuracy and spread the ball around to his targets, exploiting the Eagles' off coverage. In Week Five on Thursday, Mayfield will be aware of where Jessie Bates III is lined up. Bates was named to the Pro Bowl in 2023 and recorded single-season career highs in tackles (132), interceptions (six) and forced fumbles (three), while adding 11 passes defensed to the mix. He has the ability to tip the scale of game outcomes with his prowess on the back end. Bates possesses great route recognition, trigger to the ball and sudden feet. With quick processing of opposing quarterbacks, Mayfield will be dialed into Bates' whereabouts on Thursday.
