Alex Anzalone did not need much time to make his presence felt against the Atlanta Falcons. The veteran linebacker intercepted Michael Penix Jr. twice in the first quarter, helping set the tone for a Buccaneers defense that eventually shut out Atlanta, 16-0. In a game where Tampa Bay's offense leaned almost entirely on the run, Anzalone gave the defense the game-changing production it needed. Anzalone finished with six total tackles, two interceptions, two passes defended and a tackle for loss. Both interceptions came on Atlanta's second and third offensive possessions, putting the Buccaneers in position to take control before the second quarter. Tampa Bay did not turn either takeaway into a touchdown, but the impact was still significant. The Falcons lost
valuable possessions, and Penix had to deal with a defense that made him pay for mistakes.
The performance mattered because Anzalone wasn't the only Buccaneer making plays. Jacob Parrish and Zyon McCollum each added an interception, giving Tampa Bay four picks on the afternoon. Penix finished 8-of-24 for 125 yards, and Atlanta never found an offensive rhythm. The secondary drew plenty of attention for the turnovers, but Anzalone's ability to create two from the linebacker position deserves its own recognition. There is also a difference between simply recording tackles and changing the direction of a game. His first interception gave Tampa Bay an early lead, while the second kept pressure on an Atlanta offense already struggling to move the ball. Even with the weather making conditions difficult, the veteran showed the instincts and awareness to capitalize when Penix put the ball in dangerous positions.
For a Buccaneers team trying to build momentum after a difficult start to the season, this is the kind of contribution its defensive leaders need. Anzalone's performance against Atlanta was arguably his best since joining Tampa Bay, and it gave Todd Bowles another reason to trust the veteran in the middle of his defense. The Bucs had a historic afternoon on the ground, but Anzalone helped ensure the defense delivered a performance just as important to the shutout.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Alex Anzalone has his best game as a Buccaneer
