Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib was the beneficiary of poor Atlanta Falcons coaching and a crappy pass by Matt Ryan.

As the Bucs head to the locker room leading the Falcons 17-3 at halftime,  players and coaches should be dropping off thank you notes to Atlanta Coach Mike Smith.

The Falcons opened the game with the ball and passed on their first three downs. Rookie QB Matt Ryan, who predictably had the jitters in his first NFL road game, tossed three passes that were way off the mark, with his third-down effort landing in the hands of Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib.

Tampa Bay quickly punched in a touchdown and grabbed a 7-0 lead.

To come out throwing against the Bucs, on the road, was horrendous coaching. The Falcons ran all over the Lions last week in their opening-day win, with Michael Turner rushing for a team record 220 yards.

Thanks, Coach Smith.