Thursday night football in Week 15 of the NFL season is the NFC South Rematch between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite being in a moribund division, Atlanta has already been eliminated from the playoffs with a 4-9 record. Tampa Bay (7-6) is trying to catch the Carolina Panthers in the top spot.
Let’s dive into my Falcons vs. Bucs Predictions.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Adds
Money Line: Falcons +200 / Buccaneers -245
Spread: Falcons +4.5 (-110 (-110) / Buccaneers -4.5 (-110)
Total: Over 44.5 (-115) / Under 44.5 (-105)
Atlanta Falcons vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Best Bet #1: Under 44.5 (-105)
There are no secrets between the division rivals, who know exactly what the other person wants to do with the offense. That doesn’t automatically translate into a low-scoring slog, but the first head-to-head matchup between these two teams was short on offense (the Boots went into Atlanta and lost in Week 1). Since then, both cases have gotten worse. The Falcons were forced to turn to Michael Penix Jr. (ACL) to the Kirk cousins under the center. Cousins isn’t quite as bad as he was at some point last season, but at 37 — and with his injury history — he’s a mediocre quarterback. As for Tampa Bay, Baker Mayfield has been under arrest for weeks and his recent production has suffered as a result. Todd Bones Head Coaches Team
Neither QB can be expected to get much help Thursday. For the visitors, wr1 drake london (knee) is questionable and not expected to play. Atlanta’s biggest threat is RB Bijan Robinson, but the Bucs’ defense is stellar against the run (No. 8 in the NFL at 100.6 yards per game allowed). For Tampa Bay, wide receiver Mike Evans (collbone) has not caught a pass since Week 3; receiver Jalen McMillan is gone; Tackle Tristan Wirfs (oblique) is questionable. Almost without those guys, mayfield has to deal with the falcons analyzed pass rush that ranks third in the league with 43 sacks.
Atlanta Falcons vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Best player bet: bucky irving over 62.5 rushing yards (-110)
With Evans Rusty and EMBO WR KEEPING KNEELING ON SCUMP SCUMP, Irving could represent Tampa Bay’s best chance for offensive success Thursday night in beach football. Irving has two games under his belt since returning from an injury that sidelined him for two months. The Oregon product rushed for 61 and 55 yards in those two contests (he also scored two touchdowns), but he surpassed that mark of 62.5 three times all year.
He now faces an Atlanta defense that is worse against the run (No. 24 with 131.0 ypg allowed) than against the pass (No. 9 in the NFL). Irving, who scored a TD in the opener against the Falcons, also has the best value to find the endzone at +120.
