The Atlanta Falcons are facing a challenging situation as they prepare for their Thursday Night Football showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With wide receiver Drake London ruled out for the fourth game in a row, the team has had to make some tough calls regarding their starting lineup.
But here's the catch: The Falcons' tight end, Kyle Pitts, has been a revelation in London's absence. Over the past two games, Pitts has racked up an impressive 172 receiving yards, a feat he hasn't achieved in a two-game stretch since his rookie season. His recent performance has seen a significant boost in average yards per game, jumping from 35.4 last season to a solid 48.5 this season. This improvement of 13.1 yards per game places him among the top four NFL tight ends in terms of progression.
And the good news doesn't stop there for Atlanta. Despite carrying a questionable designation before the game, the Falcons will have tight end Kyle Pitts, edge rusher Jalon Walker, and defensive linemen Brandon Dorlus and David Onyemata all active for the matchup. These players have been instrumental to the team's success, with Dorlus and Walker leading the charge in sacks. However, injuries have limited their playing time recently, with Dorlus sitting out entirely and Walker missing the second half of the previous game.
A surprising twist: The inactives list for the Falcons includes some unexpected names. Jamal Agnew, the primary return man, and inside linebacker JD Bertrand are both healthy scratches. They are joined by wide receiver Casey Washington, who has been inactive for the past four games. These decisions might spark debate among fans and analysts, especially regarding the special teams' strategy.
As the Falcons gear up for their Week 15 clash, here's the full list of inactives:
- Drake London (WR)
- Jamal Agnew (WR)
- JD Bertrand (ILB)
- Michael Jerrell (OL)
- Casey Washington (WR)
- Malik Heath (WR)
- Elijah Garcia (DL)
With these players on the sidelines, the Falcons will need to rely on their depth and adaptability to overcome the Buccaneers. Will the team's adjustments be enough to secure a victory? Only time will tell. And this is where your opinions come into play. Do you agree with the Falcons' decisions regarding their lineup? Are there any controversial moves you'd like to discuss? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
