Ryan, Falcons look for another home opener win

ATLANTA — The Falcons 25th and final season in the Georgia Dome officially begins Sunday afternoon against NFC South division rival Tampa Bay.

The teams are very familiar with each other, as their overall series record indicates. The Buccaneers have 23 wins, the Falcons 22.  %

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But this week's game also breeds familiarity in that two key members of the Bucs' coaching staff will be making their return to Atlanta.

Mike Smith is in his first year as Tampa Bay's defensive coordinator. He has the most wins as a head coach in the Falcons' history (67).

His boss, Bucs first-year head coach Dirk Koetter, was the offensive coordinator in Atlanta under Smith from 2012-14.

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When the Falcons dismissed Smith following the 2014 season, Koetter left as well, spending 2015 as Tampa Bay's offensive coordinator.

Last year, the Bucs swept Atlanta for the first time since 2007, the year before Smith's arrival as Falcons head coach.

Joining him as a rookie in 2008 was quarterback Matt Ryan, who can improve to 9-0 in home openers, by far the best record and longest streak in franchise history.

Only Bob Berry (1969-72) and Michael Vick (2004-06) join Ryan as Falcons quarterbacks to win as many as three consecutive home openers.

Ryan has attracted his share of critics over the years, but not due to his play in those home openers.

He has averaged 268.6 yards, with 19 touchdowns and only four interceptions in amassing that 8-0 record.

Cox Media Group