The Falcons (off last week) head to Raymond James Stadium for the first time ever and make their first regular-season appearance in Tampa since 1995 as these clubs battle for the eighth time in the 1990s.

While the Falcons own a one-game lead in the series standings (8-7), the Buccaneers posted a 31-10 triumph at the Georgia Dome in 1997 in the most recent regular-season battle between the teams.

The Falcons are 3-5 lifetime at Tampa dating back to 1977, however they've prevailed in their last 2 road tilts in this series, the latest a 24-21 triumph in 1995.

Numbers: The Falcons have recovered four opponent's fumble in nine games in '99, this after leading the NFL with 25 opponent's fumble recoveries in '98. They own a minus-10 turnover differential (11-21) in nine games in '99, this after leading the NFL with a plus-20 turnover differential (44-24) in 16 games in '98. The Falcons have been outscored a combined 143-50 in the first half in nine games in '99. Including playoffs, they have scored 516 points in 18 wins (28.7 PPG), but just 112 points in 10 losses (11.2 PPG) dating back to '98. The Falcons have committed two or more turnovers in 6-of-9 contests in '99, and have allowed three or more sacks in six straight games.

The Buccaneers have limited the opposition to 300 or fewer yards in 35 of their last 51 regular-season contests dating back to '96. They have forced 28 turnovers in 13 wins, 10 turnovers in 12 losses dating back to '98. The Buccaneers have been outscored a combined 56-24 in the first quarter in nine games in '99. They have returned 1,412 kickoffs in their 24-year history (1976-99) and have never scored a touchdown on a kickoff return. The Buccaneers have committed two or more turnovers in three straight games.

Things to look for: While Dan Reeves' club has had two weeks to lick its many wounds, there may be some new worries by day's end as the Falcons' inconsistent offense must now deal with a Buccaneers' defensive unit that is feeling pretty good about itself these days, and even better now that QB Trent Dilfer and his offensive counterparts are starting to stretch the field and find the end zone.

Etc.: Falcons PK Morten Andersen (1,798) needs two points to become just the 3rd player in NFL history with 1,800 points scored. Andersen has scored at least one point in an NFL-record 247 straight games. FS Eugene Robinson (55) needs one interception to tie both Lem Barney and Pat Fischer (56) for 13th place on the NFL's all-time interception list. Since 1997 (including playoffs), the Buccaneers are 9-13 vs. NFC Central rivals and 15-6 vs. the rest of the NFL