The Atlanta Falcons will play their biggest game to date in Week 8 when they face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Despite last weekend’s lopsided loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the Falcons are in position to make the playoffs for the first time in six years. The team caught another big break entering Sunday’s NFC South showdown in Tampa Bay.
The Buccaneers’ top two wide receivers, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, have been ruled out ahead of Week 8. Evans went down with a hamstring injury during Monday night’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens and won’t return until Week 11.
Godwin suffered a gruesome ankle injury late in the fourth quarter and has been placed on the injured reserve list. Evans and Godwin have been arguably the NFL’s top wide receiver duo over the last few seasons.
Thus far in 2024, Evans has 26 catches for 355 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Godwin has been even more effective with 50 catches for 576 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is having a bit of a career resurgence in Tampa Bay but losing his top two weapons could cause the former No. 1 overall pick to take a step back.
The Falcons narrowly defeated the Buccaneers in overtime when these two teams faced off in Week 5. Quarterback Kirk Cousins connected with wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge for a 45-yard walk-off touchdown to seal the 36-30 win.
Sunday’s game kicks off at 1 p.m. ET inside Raymond James Stadium.
