Buccaneers vs. Falcons Week 8 preview: Five key storylines

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally found some momentum in Week 7, dismantling the Carolina Panthers 43-13 behind a dominant rushing attack and five defensive sacks. Now comes a different challenge: an Atlanta Falcons team fresh off handing the previously undefeated San Francisco 49ers their first loss of the season.Sunday's matchup at Raymond James Stadium carries significant NFC South implications. Tampa Bay enters at 2-5, while Atlanta sits at 3-4. With Carolina down to 3-4 after Thursday's loss to Green Bay, a Buccaneers win would put them within half a game of first despite their disastrous start.Can Baker Mayfield open up the passing game?Mayfield returned from a dislocated right thumb against Carolina, completing seven of 11 passes for just 64 yards and a touchdown. Tampa Bay didn't need much from its quarterback because the rushing attack produced 258 yards and three touchdowns on 49 carries.Atlanta offers a tougher defensive matchup. The Falcons held San Francisco to 20 points and forced four turnovers in their 29-20 victory, ending the 49ers' undefeated season. Tampa Bay cannot assume another run-heavy approach will produce the same results.According to the Buccaneers' official Week 8 preview, Atlanta ranks fourth against the run, allowing 88.9 yards per game, but 29th against the pass, allowing 255.6 yards per game. That discrepancy creates an opportunity for Mayfield, though the Buccaneers will miss Emeka Egbuka with a foot injury.Kyle Pitts remains a major problem for Tampa BayThe last time these teams met, Kyle Pitts delivered one of the best performances of his career. During Atlanta's 29-28 victory on December 11, 2025, Pitts caught 11 of 12 targets for 166 yards and three touchdowns.Tampa Bay struggled to contain him throughout that matchup, and Pitts remains a dangerous weapon in Atlanta's offense. He enters Week 8 with four touchdowns in his previous three games.The Buccaneers will have Antoine Winfield Jr. available after the safety missed Week 7 with a rib injury. His return gives Todd Bowles another option in coverage, but preventing Pitts from exploiting mismatches against linebackers and defensive backs will require more than one player.Bijan Robinson leads a dangerous Falcons offenseAtlanta's offense revolves around Bijan Robinson, who enters Week 8 leading the NFL with 907 yards from scrimmage, including 704 rushing yards. His rushing and receiving production makes him difficult to defend, regardless of the personnel Tampa Bay puts on the field.The Buccaneers have been excellent against the run, ranking second in the NFL, allowing 77.3 rushing yards per game. That strength will be tested against Robinson and an Atlanta offense averaging 149.5 rushing yards per contest.Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. provides another challenge. Since returning to the starting lineup, Penix has thrown nine touchdowns against one interception over five games while posting a 109.0 passer rating. Wide receiver Drake London remains one of his primary targets, giving Atlanta a legitimate threat outside while Robinson and Pitts attack other areas of the defense.Tampa Bay's pass rush could determine how effectively those weapons operate. The Buccaneers recorded five sacks in each of their previous two games, including three from Yaya Diaby against Carolina. Generating pressure without leaving London or Pitts exposed in coverage will be important against a quarterback who has protected the football exceptionally well.Atlanta's defensive injuries create an opportunityThe Falcons enter Sunday with a few defensive injuries, particularly at linebacker.According to Atlanta's official Friday injury report, linebacker Divine Deablo is questionable with a forearm injury after missing the San Francisco game. Rookie Kendal Daniels stepped into a bigger role against the 49ers and helped Atlanta win, showing the Falcons have capable replacements.Defensive end Samson Ebukam and edge rusher Charles Snowden are also questionable, along with defensive backs Billy Bowman Jr. and Avieon Terrell.Tampa Bay must find ways to challenge that depth without overlooking how well Atlanta's replacements performed against San Francisco. The Falcons' four takeaways were a major reason they defeated one of the NFL's strongest teams.A chance to change the NFC South racePerhaps the biggest surprise is Tampa Bay's chance to stay competitive in the division despite losing five of its first seven games.The Buccaneers still haven't won at Raymond James Stadium this season, dropping their first four home games. Sunday's matchup offers a chance to end that streak and improve to 2-0 against NFC South opponents.A victory would move Tampa Bay to 3-5 and drop Atlanta to the same record, giving the Buccaneers the head-to-head advantage over the Falcons. With Carolina at 3-4, Tampa Bay would be just half a game out of first.The Buccaneers proved against Carolina that they can dominate without relying on Mayfield's arm. Atlanta will test whether that performance represents a sustainable improvement or simply one outstanding afternoon. With a productive Falcons offense and a defense coming off four takeaways, Tampa Bay will need contributions from both sides of the ball to secure its first home win.This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Buccaneers vs. Falcons Week 8 preview: Five key storylines