Buccaneers at Falcons: Preview, prediction, odds and pick
By John Buhler
The Atlanta Falcons will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon in Week 12. Here is the game preview, the betting odds and a final score pick.
It’s Thanksgiving Weekend in the NFL. One game of note going on Sunday afternoon between a pair of NFC South foes will feature the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) and the Atlanta Falcons (6-4). Kickoff from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta will be at 1:00 p.m. ET on Nov. 26. FOX will have the telecast with Dick Stockton and Mark Schlereth in the booth to call the game.
Tampa Bay enters play at 4-6 on the season. The Buccaneers have won two games in a row with Ryan Fitzpatrick as their starting quarterback since Jameis Winston succumbed to injury. Tampa Bay has been in win-now since the Buccaneers got off to a dreadful 2-6 start. Losing five games in a row mid-season probably means Tampa Bay won’t make the NFC playoffs, but we’ll see.
Atlanta enters play at 6-4 on the season and in sixth place in the NFC through 11 weeks. The Falcons seem to have figured out some things in the last two weeks. Atlanta has won big games over the Dallas Cowboys and the Seattle Seahawks to get back in the NFC playoff conversation. The Falcons have a brutal schedule the rest of the way, but five of their final six games are in divisional play.
Betting Odds
Point Spread: Atlanta -10
Moneylines: Atlanta -415, Tampa Bay +351
Over/Under: 48.5
According to OddsShark, the Falcons will be laying 10 points at home to the visiting Buccaneers. The associated moneylines for this game are Atlanta -415 and Tampa Bay +351. This game’s over/under comes in at a combined 48.5 points.
Since this game will be played indoors, let’s take the over in this one. Atlanta has found itself offensively, but still isn’t quite a 60-minute team defensively. The Falcons are the better team, but will let the rival Buccaneers linger.
Atlanta will take a sizable 28-17 lead inside of five minutes in the fourth quarter to probably seal the game. However, Fitzpatrick will be able to orchestrate a backdoor cover with a sneaky touchdown drive inside of a minute left. Tampa Bay will attempt the onside kick, but Atlanta will be able to recover the kickoff.
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Atlanta improves to 7-4, while Tampa Bay falls to 4-7 on the year and out of the playoff mix in the NFC. While a win is all that matters for the Falcons in this one, Tampa Bay finds a way to cover the lofty 10-point spread.
Pick: Falcons 28, Buccaneers 24