How big was this win?
Well nothing is sewn up yet, but the Bucs put themselves firmly in the driver's seat on the way to the NFC South crown. That said, the Bucs made a number of statements that may add up to some success in the playoffs before all is said and done this season.
Offense
The Bucs continued to run the ball with authority. The offensive line has unquestionably improved its run blocking over last year, and Earnest Graham seems like the best fit at the moment. While not as fast as (an uninjured) Cadillac Williams or Michael Pittman, Graham has a knack for finding the hole and falling forward after first contact. The guy rarely loses yardage.
Teams that run the ball effectively often translate that success into playoff wins. The last team to hold the Bucs' rushing game in check was the Tennessee Titans (in the NFL's top five for rushing defense), and that was five games ago. The effective running game makes things that much easier for quarterback Jeff Garcia, who tossed two touchdown passes among his 10 completions on the day.
Defense
The Falcons were missing a few bodies on the offensive line. Hopefully that does not entirely account for the good day turned in the Bucs' defensive line. Though missing DE Greg Spires because of an ankle injury, the Bucs held Warrick Dunn to 30 yards on 15 carries and put consistent pressure on Falcons passers--particularly on deeper drops. The defensive line was responsible for all of the turnovers registered by the team against the Falcons (two fumble recoveries, two interceptions).
Rookie defensive ends Greg White and Gaines Adams both had terrific days rushing the passer. White had two sacks and two forced fumbles. Adams had one sack and one hit on Byron Leftwich that led to an interception by Chris Hovan. The play might was well have been a forced fumble for Adams, which is typically registered as a sack. It wouldn't surprise me if the NFL changes the ruling on the play, since Leftwich's arm may not have started forward when it was hit.
I've sung the praises of the back seven all season. If this type of play by the defensive line keeps up, then the Bucs have a legitimate top five defense. The numbers say the defense is top five right now, but the game against the Colts said otherwise.
One more thing: Brian Kelly makes a difference at cornerback. Phillip Buchanon has served as a solid sub for Kelly while the latter has attempted to recover from a groin strain, but the defense is simply better when Kelly starts.
Special Teams
It was a below average day for the Buccaneer special teams. The kickoff return unit allowed the Falcons pretty good field position, and the Bucs managed one 20 yard kickoff return of their own while getting almost no return yardage off of seven Falcon punts.
The brightest moments were on punt coverage, with Josh Bidwell booming a 61-yarder with only a short return (big for field position at the time), and a punt downed at the five on a nice play by gunner Maurice Stovall.
See update below
Officiating
Obviously the Bucs won handily, but the officiating was worthy of complaint anyway.
The Falcons had a reception and fumble by Warrick Dunn reversed on replay. Dunn caught the ball, took two steps and was separated from the ball by a hit from Derrick Brooks. While the play was close, I don't see how clear evidence would have allowed an overturn of the play.
Earlier, Michael Pittman caught a pass and took two steps before losing the ball. The play was ruled a fumble on the field (as was the Dunn play) and stood after the review. I imagine the officials would argue that the better angle for the Dunn replay allowed for the reversal. Let's just say I'm skeptical.
The play that took the cake: Right after retaining the ball on the Dunn fumble reversal, the Falcons completed another short pass and the receiver fumbled. Brian Kelly recovered, and as he was being tackled lateraled the ball to Cato June. After running forward a few steps, June fell and fumbled the ball. On the field it was ruled a recovery for the Falcons--and not only that, it was a first down because of the change of possession. Coach Gruden rightly challenged the play--according to the officials on the field the challenge was that Kelly has down by contact. And Kelly might have been down by contact but again the replay was inconclusive. What was conclusive, on the other hand, was the fact that Cato June was illegally tripped and appeared to have lost the ball after contact with the ground. No way the Falcons should have retained the ball on that play. The play stood as called on the field. I was incredulous.
Next Up
The Redskins visit Tampa after falling to the Cowboys in a fairly tight game. The 'Skins match up pretty well with the Bucs, and Jason Campbell completed a ton of passes against the Cowboys. The home team will need another good day from the front four to prevail. Turnover differential should decide the game since the teams are closely matched.
Update:
A later review by the NFL established that the wrong call was made after the review.
The midweek review of the play occurred during the NFL Network show, "NFL Total Access." During a popular segment in which NFL Vice President of Officiating Mike Pereira breaks down some of the more controversial plays of the previous weekend, the White-Kelly-June play was discussed in some detail.
Pereira's assessment, in short: Gruden was right to expect the entire play to be reviewed, the officials failed to do so, and a more extensive review would have overturned June's fumble.
(Buccaneers.com)
*****
