NFL

Count me among the amazed who saw the Falcons incredible first half performance against the Lions on Sunday The win, and the way it happened, has to have Bird fans thrilled and fired up.
But I suspect they'll get a major dose of reality this weekend.
The Bucs aren't the Lions.
Detroit is trying on that zone defense scheme for the first time and they don't really have the pass rushers or corners, to make it work.
Tampa Bay, on the other hand, pretty much invented the system and has been taking players with that system in mind for years. (A dollar says Derrick Brooks gets at least one interception.) It's going to be a lot tougher for rookie cornerback Matt Ryan this week and he wasn't that good in the second half last week.
The Bucs have their own problems, particularly at quarterback where Jeff Garcia will sit this one out and watch Brian Griese. Seems like 10 years ago Griese was a good looking prospect in Denver. But he hasn't panned out as more than a backup.
Tampa will pound it with Earnest Graham and former Falcon Warrick Dunn should get some totes too.
It's a winnable game for the Falcons, but I wouldn't bet that way.