Atlanta Falcons (2-6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-7)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla. – TV: FOX

*TV announcers: Thom Brennaman, David Diehl, Laura Okmin

*Keys to the game: The Falcons embarrassed the Bucs on national television during a 56-14 beat down on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 3. But that was before injuries hijacked Atlanta’s offensive line and forced the Falcons to reign in their once-potent passing attack, limiting snaps for the likes of Devin Hester. One of the Bucs’ few strengths has been defending the run (3.8 yards per carry), but that hasn’t equated to much of a pass rush (13 sacks). The outcome could well hinge on whether Tampa Bay is able to get to QB Matt Ryan before Ryan hones in on the league’s second-worst pass defense.

The Bucs are making the switch back to QB Josh McCown, with coach Lovie Smith hoping the veteran can trim the number of mistakes holding the offense back. Rookie WR Mike Evans has also emerged since that first meeting, giving the Bucs the twin wideout towers with Vincent Jackson that the team envisioned – Jackson (officially questionable) is expected to play through a sore knee. And with RB Bobby Rainey running hard, Tampa Bay has the ability to mount a well-balanced offense — if McCown doesn’t add to the Bucs’ minus-4 turnover ratio behind one of the league’s weakest offensive lines.

*Matchup to watch – Falcons C James Stone vs. Bucs DT Gerald McCoy: Stone is making his second career start and will be flanked by veteran OGs Jon Asamoah and Justin Blalock. They will help Stone combat McCoy (5.0 sacks), who the Falcons see as a disruptive presence in the mold of Detroit’s Ndamukong Suh.

*Player spotlight – Falcons LT Jake Matthews: The highly-touted rookie has struggled manning the blind side on a gimpy ankle much of the season, ranking 72nd — and last — among NFL left tackles by ProFootballFocus.com. He’ll square off against high-priced free agent DE Michael Johnson (2.0 sacks), as long as Johnson is able to play through a hand injury that has him listed as questionable.

*Fast facts: The Falcons have not won a road game in an outdoor stadium since beating the Bucs in Tampa on Nov. 25, 2012. … McCown has a 32.8 passer rating in the first half this season.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

With a roll of the dice, the slight edge goes to the Bucs looking to avenge a public whipping in Week 3 against a Falcons team that has a seven-goal road losing streak and is 1-11 in its past 12 away from the Georgia Dome.

*Our pick: Bucs 30-27