Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston is going to throw some deep passes.
In the previous meeting this season between the Buccaneers and Falcons, he connected on several, as wide receiver Chris Godwin got loose for 184 yards and two touchdowns in Tampa Bay’s 35-22 win Nov. 24 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Free safety Damontae Kazee, who will be the X-Factor in Sunday’s game, has to play the deep passes better when the Falcons (6-9) play the Bucs (7-8) in a battle for second place in the NFC South at 1 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium.
“They are the No. 1 passing offense in the league, and it all comes through (Winston),” Falcons safety Ricardo Allen said. “A lot of people like to look at the stats, but he’s slinging it around. He’s got some turnovers here and there, but he’s putting the ball in there pretty well. He can get the ball to any spot on the field, but he likes the deep ball a lot.”
Winston leads the NFL in passing yards (4,908), but also in interceptions (28).
“Is he going to take his shots? There’s no doubt,” Falcons linebackers coach Jeff Ulbrich said. “That’s just what Jameis does. That’s what (Bucs coach) Bruce Arians has done forever.”
On a 71-yard touchdown pass to Godwin in the first meeting, Kazee overran the play. Godwin escaped and ran for the touchdown.
“We have to stay in position,” Ulbrich said. “We have to stay in lead position. We have to stay on top as the cover corner, nickel backer and then our free safeties, no seams, no posts. Then if a ball gets caught, which it will, you know. They are going to get theirs.
“He’s got to get them on the ground. At the end of the day, make them earn every yard.”
Bucs receiver Mike Evans is on injured reserve, and Godwin missed last week with a hamstring injury. However, Breshad Perriman, who is from Lithonia and once was a first-round pick out of Central Florida, has posted two consecutive 100-yard games.
“He’s doing a great job,” Ulbrich said. “Jameis is just the guy to utilize a big receiver like Perriman. He’s been great on the deep ball and great on the possession stuff, too.”
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