Next for Falcons: Buccaneers Nov. 9

The skinny: The Lovie Smith era is not off to a rousing start in Tampa. Some contend that he released too many players and gutted too much of their previous NFL talent and in their place is using unproven young players. The Bucs haven't been in games as several of their efforts – including the game against the Falcons – have resembled NFL scrimmages. In addition to trailing the Falcons 35-0 at halftime, in a 48-17 loss to Baltimore they trailed 38-0 at halftime, an NFL-record halftime deficit for a team playing at home. The Bucs did suffer a major setback on offense since coordinator Jeff Tedford left in August because of a heart procedure. They were installing an uptempo attack in the mode of the Eagles, but have not come close to resembling that style of attack.

Series history: The series is tied at 21.

State of the union: The Bucs have hitched their wagon to defensive tackle Gerald McCoy as the team announced on Saturday that he was signed to a seven-year extension, worth up to $98 million with $51.5 million guaranteed. The deal could keep McCoy with the Bucs through 2021. McCoy was drafted third overall by the Bucs in 2010. He has developed into a force and signals that the Bucs plan to build along the same vein as their Tony Dungy teams, which were built around defensive tackle Warren Sapp, linebacker Derrick Brooks and safety John Lynch. McCoy has missed two games this season with a broken hand. "From the moment (coach) Lovie (Smith) and I arrived here, we knew it was vital for us to keep Gerald in Tampa Bay long-term as one of the cornerstones of our franchise," Bucs general manager Jason Licht said in a statement. While the Buc have their anchor on defense, they must figure out the offensive side of the ball that has been set back by Smith's plan to open the season with journeyman Josh McCown as the starting quarterback over promising prospect Mike Glennon. After getting pummeled 56-10 by the Falcons, the Bucs rebounded to beat Pittsburgh before reverting to their losing ways.

Three things: 1) Bucs wide receiver Vincent Jackson is still a force. Before facing Minnesota, he had 31 receptions of at least 25 yards since the start of the 2012 season, second-most in the NFC behind Detroit's Calvin Johnson (34); 2) The Bucs have been notoriously slow starters this season. The Falcons jumped to a 35-0 lead on them. Through seven games, they have been outscored 72-17 in the first quarter and 126-27 through the first half, margins that are by far the worst in the league; 3) Where's the rushing attack gone? It's hard to tell if the Bucs have struggled running the ball, because they fallen behind in so many games that they had to abandon the run so quickly. And they are pondering a trade for running back Doug Martin. Even in a tight game, Sunday they rushed 23 times for only 66 yards.