As this game has progressed into the second quarter, things couldn't have gotten any better for the Falcons. Conversely, the Buccaneers could not have looked any worse.
It's only halftime, and Michael Turner has already amassed 172 yards rushing on 17 carries in addition to two touchdowns that contributed to the 35-point lead. Perhaps most impressive from Turner was his 80-yard scoring run that came midway through the second quarter, in which he outran almost the entirety of the struggling Bucs defense:
However, the offense hasn't been the only positive for the Falcons today. The defense has displayed some much-improved play and a renewed aggression. John Abraham added on to the slaughter with a sack and forced fumble, which would later lead to a score.
Then later Curtis Lofton would Josh Freeman's pass perfectly, intercepting the throw and returning it 26 yards for a touchdown, essentially turning the game into a full-on blowout.
Already, Mike Smith has a few starters out of the game, including Matt Ryan. With such a large lead, we'll likely see the likes of Chris Redman and Jacquizz Rodgers on offense for the remainder of this tune-up game.
Head to SBNation.com for more Week 17 NFL playoff scenarios as the field comes into focus. For more on this game, visit 49ers blog Niners Nation and Rams blog Turf Show Times, plus SB Nation Bay Area and SB Nation St. Louis.