The Falcons bring a balanced attack to the ball, as they own the league’s fifth-best rushing attack (137.4 ypg) and are 11th in passing (233.4 ypg). Quarterback Matt Ryan (1714 passing yards, 12 TD, 5 INT) fell one yard short of his first 300-yard passing game of the season and matched a career-best with three touchdown passes. In addition to a pair of scoring passes to White (54 receptions, 5 TD), Ryan also found Brian Finnegan (9 receptions, 2 TD) in the end zone. White caught 11 of Ryan’s 24 completions, while the quarterback also hit wide receiver Michael Jenkins (8 receptions), who was playing in just his second game this season, three times for 25 yards. Tight end Tony Gonzalez (29 receptions, 3 TD) added a pair of receptions for Atlanta. Running back Michael Turner (587 rushing yards) turned in one of his best games of the season, rumbling for 121 yards on 23 carries. He also found the end zone twice after notching just one touchdown in his first six games.
Part of the reason that Freeman owns six comeback wins is because the Tampa Bay defense is allowing 23.3 points per game, tied for 24th in the league. The unit also fails to put pressure on the quarterback and has just six sacks on the season. One of those game versus the Cardinals and was recorded by end Stylez G. White (22 tackles, 3 sacks), one of his four tackles on the day. Tampa Bay did notch four interceptions a weekend ago, taking two back for touchdowns. Talib (21 tackles, 5 INT) returned one 45 yards for a score in the second quarter, while linebacker Geno Hayes (37 tackles, 1 INT) had a 41-yard return to the end zone in the opening frame. That effort helped boost Tampa Bay’s turnover margin to plus-eight, one of the best in the league. Rookie safety Cody Grimm (37 tackles, 2 INT) led the way with eight tackles last week, while linebacker Barrett Ruud (53 tackles, 1 INT) finished with six and grabbed a pick as well.