“The Streak” Haunts Julio Jones
October 12th, 2018
There’s an unthinkable stat swirling around Falcons headquarters that is both encouraging to Bucs fans and troubling at the same time.
Superstar receiver Julio Jones, who averages a stunning 96.2 yards per game receiving through his career (think about that number), hasn’t caught a touchdown pass in 10 regular season games.
“The Streak” is a mind-blower in Atlanta, especially considering the Falcons have an excellent quarterback and plenty of other weapons to distract defenses.
This might feel encouraging to Bucs fans, but that last Jones TD in the regular season came against the Bucs. In fact, Jones caught two that November 2017 day en route to 12-catch, 253-yard performance.
Jones has just nine TDs in regular-season play since the start of the 2016 season, but four are against the Bucs.
Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith coached Jones, groomed Matt Ryan and knows as much about the Falcons offense as anyone. The Bucs simply have to find a way to slow Jones on Sunday, like they did when they held him to just three catches and 54 yards in Week 15 last year.
October 12th, 2018 at 9:35 am
He will prob have 3 this weekend…
October 12th, 2018 at 9:36 am
LMAO! 3 by half time.
October 12th, 2018 at 9:40 am
Agree @doolnutts.
Hopefully, if he does get three the Bucs still pull out a victory.
Road games against desperate teams are tough, but the Bucs are healthy, off a bye and the Bucs offensive talent is vastly superior to the beat up Falcons defense.
I think the Bucs will give up somewhere between 27-31 points but will score somewhere between 38 and 41.
October 12th, 2018 at 9:48 am
There no reason to think Mike Smith can do anything to slow Atlanta’s offense. Smitty should know them very well yes but the problem is think know how he has no imagination whatsoever as a coordinator and is doing the exact same thing he did in Jacksonville and while in Atlanta. They simply kept his playbook on their wall of shame and know every defensive call he will make every time we play them.
October 12th, 2018 at 9:50 am
If a team or player is ever having trouble, the Bucs tend to always be the fix. Expect Julio to get fixed on Sunday.
October 12th, 2018 at 9:53 am
Julio’s streak ends Sunday. He’ll shred Smith’s D
October 12th, 2018 at 9:53 am
Antonio brown was having a slump and looked what happened Monday night!…James practices against a sorry defense every day so if the Falcons are crappy too I say it’s a 50/50 roll of the dice type game
October 12th, 2018 at 10:00 am
I’m not saying it is going to work, but you would think the Bucs will try to matchup Grimes with Ridley and Davis with Julio.
The Bucs don’t have to be a average defense for the Bucs to have a great year, but they do need to move from worst ever to below average.
October 12th, 2018 at 10:01 am
Speaking for Pablo
“Pablo says…..who gives a flying f–k about Hulio Hones?……Pablo’s key to a Buc victory over the Falcons…..Outscore them.” Pablo knows futbol.”
October 12th, 2018 at 10:07 am
Oh man well all that knowledge Mike Smith had went out the window as Julio had the 253 yard performance against HIS defense. So much for knowledge of an opponent. It did zero for the Bucs with Mike Smith as D Coordinator. If anything Matt Ryan knew way better how to carve up Mike Smiths toothless defense. Ryan is probably looking to play Mike Smiths sorry defense scheme as a way to jump start there almost on life support season. If we lost that game please make Mike Smith walk the plank!!!!
October 12th, 2018 at 10:58 am
Wausa
The answer is no, Grimes had never followed receivers. Grimes plays right corner, period. One of the reasons he has become a liability that is holding back the defense. Don’t believe me? The defense has looked worse the last two games with him than it did the first two.
October 12th, 2018 at 11:03 am
What better time for a Julio Jones get right game than against the Bucs lol
October 12th, 2018 at 11:08 am
I know I am starting him in the only money league I own him in.
October 12th, 2018 at 11:11 am
Hahahahaha!!! Do Bucs fans have dementia? Julio owns us. And if it’s not Julio, it’ll be Ridley. Brees threw for 400 yards. Expect the same Sunday. And if INT Winston turns it over like he usually does, this one will be over by the end of the 1st half.
October 12th, 2018 at 1:18 pm
Conte Piscatelli
I agree, I think this game may be the last chance for Grimes. If he stinks it up again the Bucs may sit him going forward.
October 12th, 2018 at 8:42 pm
I think we can win the game, but that streak is 100% ending this weekend.