Buccaneers head into Atlanta short-handed and desperate

TAMPA

Lovie Smith says the best way to deal with past adversity is to have a short memory.

Buccaneers fans might prefer lowering expectations. There is only so much disappointment a human can endure.

Either way, Tampa Bay limps into Atlanta on Sunday coming off a 31-30 loss to Washington where it blew a 24-point lead and allowed quarterback Kirk Cousins to pick the defense apart in the second half.

Smith's desire to take what seems like a forgive-and-forget approach does not sit well with a long-suffering fanbase.

"Most of us have been in disappointing losses like that. What you do is move on to the next opponent," Smith says.

"There's a mourning period that you go through. That's right after the game, but by Wednesday, we look at that game the same way we look at Jacksonville and about every other game that was in our path. You can't dwell on it much more."

It might be easier for Smith and his players to take that approach because they can affect future outcomes. Tampa Bay fans are mired in a perpetual state of mourning.

The best thing fans can take from the Washington debacle is that rookie quarterback Jameis Winston has shown progress in his development, and running back Doug Martin is playing like he did in his outstanding rookie season.

The offense played well against Washington, but scored only two touchdowns. Going up against an Atlanta team ranked third the NFL with 193 points presents different problems.

The Bucs are next-to-last in the league in points allowed (29.8 points per game) and opposing quarterbacks have a 110.6 passer rating against them, which is the second-highest rate given up by a defense.

If the Bucs have to play catch-up, it's not certain how they will respond. Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter has done a good job of keeping Winston out of difficult situations. If he has to abandon that approach, it could present problems -- or afford Winston a chance to show how he has grown.

Winston has had a quarterback rating over 100 for the last two games and not thrown an interception. He had a 128.1 passer rating against Washington, and burned the Redskins when they blitzed.

The Bucs will be missing receivers Vincent Jackson and Louis Murphy, however, and don't have much depth or experience at the position.

The last time the Bucs visited Atlanta, they got pasted, 56-14. Koetter, who helped engineer that shellacking on the Falcons' sideline, is now Tampa Bay's offensive coordinator.

"We remember what happened up there the last time. That should bring out the best in us," Smith says.

The Bucs are 4-18 under Smith, and The coach says his players are tired of the losing -- saying enough is enough.

"We're going to get another opportunity to say that. When you have a one point loss, you're getting closer, but eventually we have to cross that hurdle," Smith says. "Going to Atlanta and getting a road win. That could get us over."

With a defense that has allowed Marcus Mariota, Blake Bortles and Kirk Cousins to have career days, it doesn't seem likely it can stop a team that features quarterback Matt Ryan, receiver Julio Jones and running back Devonta Freeman.

The Buccaneers' secondary has taken the brunt of the criticism, with people saying there is confusion back there and too much changing personnel. The Bucs' red zone defensive problems, particularly in giving up the slant, are well known around the league.

Tampa Bay ranks last in red zone defense as well, allowing opponents to score 75 percent of the time they get inside the 20. On the flip side, Tampa Bay is scoring 42.6 percent of the time it gets in the red zone.

"Is our execution what we want? Obviously not, but I don't think it's because of confusion," Bucs defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier says. "We were not very good (last week) in the red zone, and we haven't been for awhile this season. A lot of it has to do with defending inside-breaking routes. We have to do a better job, for sure. We are going to see it if Atlanta gets in the redzone and we need to have an answer."

The Bucs' secondary has been in perpetual motion with its personnel, but Frazier says that's based more on production and not something he wants to do. Alterraun Verner, Johnthan Banks, Tim Jennings and Mike Jenkins have all taken turns at cornerback.

"You're always going to try and put the best 11 out there," Frazier says. "You want to start the same 11 every week if you can. That would be ideal, not just in the secondary, but across the defensive line and at linebacker as well. We think we are getting to that point."

This story was originally published October 31, 2015 at 11:02 PM with the headline "Buccaneers head into Atlanta short-handed and desperate ."