Falcons TE Jacob Tamme vs. Bucs SS Chris Conte: Tamme, who caught 10 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown in the first meeting, has revived his career with the Falcons after two down seasons in Denver. He has 44 catches for 515 yards and one touchdown. Conte, who had nine tackles in that game, is the Bucs' third-leading tackler with 66. He has 50 solo tackles.
Falcons RB Devonta Freeman vs. Tampa Bay's run defense: Freeman returns to action after missing a game while in the NFL's concussion protocol. He hopes to provide a spark to the Falcons' sputtering offense. Freeman averages 4.6 yards a carry and has nine rushing touchdowns. The Falcons average 112.8 yard rushing per game (15th in the league), while Tampa Bay's defense, which might be without All-Pro defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (hand), is giving up 97.5 yards per game (12th in the league).
Falcons KR/PR Devin Hester vs. Tampa Bay's coverage units: Hester, who hasn't played this season, is set to return from in-season injured reserve. The Bucs have given up a 69-yard return for a touchdown. Last season, Hester played in 16 games and led the NFL in yards per punt return with 13.3, number of kickoff/punt returns (63) and combined kick and punt yards with 1,368. Tampa Bay gives up 10.3 yards per punt return and 16.9 yards on kickoff returns.
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