Just four games into the season, Mike Evans has already scored three touchdowns. Definitely not a bad start. However, he only registered 214 total receiving yards. Currently, Evans is not on track to extend his incredible record of consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. ESPN projects Evans will finish the year with 910 yards, nearly 100 shy of the mark. However, that could change with just one big game. And there’s no doubt that Todd Bowles, Liam Coen and Baker Mayfield all know the importance of getting Evans more involved in the offense. Not because of Evans’ historic wins, but because they are fully aware that the Buccaneers’ offense is at its best when Mike Evans is playing.

On the other hand, Atlanta signed its star cornerback, AJ Terrell, to a four-year, $81 million contract earlier this offseason. It’s a huge investment in a 25-year-old player who the Falcons believe is still improving. With his new contract, Terrell is the second-highest paid cornerback on an annual basis, earning over $20 million per year. His guaranteed money ($68.5 million) is the most ever given to a cornerback on a four-year contract. The Falcons front office knew they had to be able to slow down the Bucs’ dynamic receiving duo in order to dethrone the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the top seed in the NFC South. It’s obvious they believe AJ Terrell is a crucial part of this plan.

On Thursday evening we expect Mike Evans to be particularly motivated for a variety of reasons. Not just because he’s playing against a divisional opponent, not just because he’s playing in prime time, but because he knows that in order to continue his historic streak of 1,000-yard seasons, he’s going to have to pile up some yards. Terrell knows that if he can contain Mike Evans in this game, he will prove to his teammates, coaches and front office that he is worth every penny they paid him this offseason.

YaYa Diaby has quietly had an excellent second season in 2024. Despite only registering one sack so far this year, Diaby is near the top of the league in pressure. Once considered a rookie with impressive size, athleticism and strength, Diaby continues to refine his pass-rushing arsenal. A new trick was his successful execution of an inside counter move, as opposed to simply attempting to rush through offensive linemen or beat them with speed off the edge. This new addition to Diaby’s toolbox has already made him more unpredictable as a pass rusher, and chances are good that this will not only lead to more pressure, but more sacks as well.

Kaleb McGary, who missed last week’s game with an MCL sprain, will be back in the lineup and ready to face the Bucs on Thursday. This is a big development for Atlanta, which needs its best offensive players on the field to keep Kirk Cousins ​​out of danger. McGary, a former first-round pick, is a reliable veteran with the ability to compete against true pass rushers without much help. Because of this, Atlanta rewarded him with a new 3-year contract in 2023.

Playing through an injury is one thing. Having to go up against an edge rusher as powerful and athletic as YaYa Diaby is another matter. If McGary struggles to contain Diaby early in this game, the Falcons will have to find ways to send help. If not, there’s a good chance Diaby can convert some of those pressures into sacks. What if McGary manages to contain Diaby on his own? Then the Falcons will have one less problem to worry about and a more realistic path to winning this game.

Who are we kidding? Whichever quarterback plays better in this game will most likely emerge as the winner. Even though Kirk Cousins ​​is still working his way back to full health after the torn Achilles tendon that sidelined him most of last season, he is still a smart quarterback with the potential to put up a lot of points. There’s no shortage of weapons in Atlanta either, which only makes his job easier. It’s worth noting that Cousins ​​hasn’t tried to come out of the pocket and throw to the run much this season – something he regularly does when he’s at his best – and his new OC, Zac Robinson, seems happy with that be sure that it stays that way. at least for now.

We all know Baker Mayfield is a guy who prefers to play with a chip on his shoulder. I can’t imagine the Atlanta Falcons being named favorites to win the NFC South Division this season just because they signed Kirk Cousins ​​- that suits Baker. Of course, his primary goal will be to win this game by any means necessary, but Mayfield is a proud competitor. So I wouldn’t be surprised if his throws had a little more oomph in this game. Does that mean he can perform better than the quarterback on the other side? Not necessarily.

Both the Buccaneers and Falcons have extremely capable quarterbacks at the helm, and both guys have plenty of highly talented weapons to work with. Whichever of these two quarterbacks stays calm under pressure, throws his weapons with foresight and precision while avoiding turnovers, will most likely emerge victorious.

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