Though he has been making it interesting, Freeman (1533 passing yards, 8 TD, 3 INT) keeps finding ways to win. He posted career bests with a 72.0 completion percentage and a quarterback rating of 121.8 versus Arizona, while throwing for 278 yards. He also went a third straight game without an interception. Freeman completed a pass to 10 different players last weekend, but his top target was rookie wide receiver Mike Williams (32 receptions). The fourth- round pick had four receptions for 105 yards with a score and leads all NFL rookies with 470 receiving yards and four scoring catches. Benn’s 53-yard reception was his lone of the game, but it was a big one. Tampa Bay finished well above its average for points scored per game (19.4) and total offense (321.7 ypg). Tampa Bay mustered 154 yards rushing a week ago, led by a career- best 120 yards on 22 carries by Blount (222 rushing yards, 3 TD). Starter Carnell Williams (212 rushing yards, 1 total TD) ended with just four carries for 10 yards. Tight end Kellen Winslow is second on the Bucs with 30 catches and 306 yards.
Freeman should get plenty of opportunities to make some plays this weekend, seeing as the Falcons rank sixth in the NFL versus the run at 95.9 yards allowed per game. They limited the Bengals to 84 rushing yards two weekends ago, but the secondary was tagged for 385 yards through the air. Atlanta’s defense should get a boost this Sunday with the return of cornerback Dunta Robinson (24 tackles), who missed the Cincinnati game after suffering a concussion on a hit versus Philadelphia the weekend prior. Robinson was cleared to play and practice on Wednesday. Safety Thomas DeCoud (29 tackles, 1 INT) also practiced despite suffering a head injury he sustained versus the Bengals. However, outside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (29 tackles, 1 sack) is questionable with a knee injury. Cornerback Christopher Owens (32 tackles, 1 INT) was the club’s leading tackler versus Cincinnati with 11, while safety Erik Coleman (18 tackles) and corner Brian Williams (13 tackles, 1 sack) had eight each. Williams also had a sack and a fumble recovery, while defensive end John Abraham (15 tackles, 6 sacks) logged two quarterback takedowns to give him four sacks in his last three games. Linebacker Curtis Lofton (58 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT) recovered a fumble in the win and is the club’s leading tackler.