In a battle for second place in the NFC South, the Falcons (6-9) are set to play Tampa Bay (7-8) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
The Bucs won the previous meeting 35-22 on Nov. 24.
The Falcons had a tough time blocking Tampa Bay’s defensive front as the Bucs finished with six sacks and 13 quarterback hits in that game.
Here’s what Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians had to say during a conference call with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Tuesday:
Q: What’s been the key to your defensive front?
A: "The front seven. … We're doing a great job of stopping the run and getting teams one-dimensional. Then we're able to pass rush. Getting Jason Pierre-Paul back helped a bunch. Then our secondary is kind of growing up."
Q: What’s been rookie linebacker Devin White’s arc this season?
A: "It's been fantastic. He had that early knee injury, but right now he's playing as well as he has all season. A lot of confidence. He had the touchdown a couple of weeks ago. He picked up another fumble this past week. He's playing, very, very well."
Q: What do you attribute your 3-5 record in one-score games to?
A: "For us, the biggest thing is to quit turning the ball over. We had a close game last week with five turnovers. Usually, you'll get the hell beat out of you. We had a chance to win it at the end. If we eliminate the turnovers, we should have the lead."
Q: Can you coach the interceptions out of Jamies Winston?
A: "I continue to work with him. He just, at times, needs to make a little bit better decisions."
Q: With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin out, how are the backup wide receivers playing?
A: "They have been doing pretty good. Breshad (Perriman) has really stepped up the last couple of weeks with a couple of 100-yard ballgames. Then (Justin) Watson has improved a bunch. and he's doing his thing. We have some other young guys that we are just trying to get in the mix."
Q: How is nose tackle Vita Vea doing?
A: "He's playing really well. He stayed healthy this year, and he's continuing to get better at rushing the passer. He's a great run-stuffer, but he's getting better at rushing the passer."
Q: How important is inside linebacker Lavonte David to the unit?
A: "He's the leader. He's the bona fide leader. I was kind of disappointed that he didn't make the Pro Bowl because he's had that kind of season."
Q: Are you all pretty happy with Shaquil Barrett’s production?
A: "There's no doubt. We are trying to get that record. He needs one more to break the record of Warren Sapp (16.5 sacks in 2000).
Q: What do you see from the Falcons of late?
A: "I think they are a little healthier. Devonta (Freeman) didn't play the last time. He's a big, big part of their offense. Julio (Jones) got hurt in our ballgame. He looks like he's back to full speed. Defensively, they were just learning the new stuff. They are playing really well defensively right now."
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