First and 10: Points to consider after Bucs win against Atlanta Ira Kaufman, The Tampa Tribune, published 7 December 2015 1. After missing nine consecutive games with a shoulder injury, TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins returned for the Bucs and finished with three catches for 31 yards. A second-round pick in the 2014 draft, Seferian-Jenkins didn’t start Sunday, but he was targeted six times by rookie QB Jameis Winston and gives Tampa Bay another 6-foot-5 red-zone threat heading into the final four weeks of the regular season. 2. Tampa Bay’s first season sweep against Atlanta since 2007 happens to coincide with the last season the Bucs earned a playoff berth. That could prove critical if the Bucs and Falcons end up dueling for an NFC wild-card spot. By the way, the Bucs are now 3-1 against NFC South opponents heading into Sunday’s home matchup against New Orleans. 3. Until Sunday, the Bucs were 2-20 in the past three seasons when trailing at halftime. 4. All week long, Bucs coaches praised the progress of William Gholston, a fourth-round pick in 2013 who has been a spot starter along the defensive line. With Tampa Bay depleted up front, Gholston stepped up with his first two-sack game as a pro. He also was credited with two tackles for loss and two QB hits before suffering a potential concussion late in the game. 5. After going through a stretch of recording only two sacks in three games, the Bucs defense has reeled off four straight games with three sacks each, the franchise’s longest such stretch since 2004. 6. Veteran WR Vincent Jackson latched onto only three balls Sunday, but he made them count with catches of 36, 29 and 22 yards. For the season, Jackson is averaging a gaudy 16.8 yards per reception, regaining his reputation as a big-play target who gets first downs. 7. Since the first month of the season, Tampa Bay’s rushing defense has been exemplary. In the past eight games, opponents are averaging a mere 3.1 yards per carry — and that span includes matchups against backs such as Atlanta’s Devonta Freeman (twice), DeMarco Murray of the Eagles and Washington’s Alfred Morris. 8. The Bucs had won only three of their previous 31 games when losing the turnover battle. 9. Don’t forget Bobby Rainey’s 28-yard punt return late in the third quarter that gave Tampa Bay possession at the Falcons’ 34 and set up a Connor Barth field goal. Rainey had struggled in the return game the past few weeks. 10. Evan Smith, who started for an injured Ali Marpet at right guard the past three weeks, was the only Bucs player besides QB Mike Glennon who dressed but did not play.