Atlanta Falcons (4-3) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-3)
Atlanta Falcons vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10/27/24 Game Info |
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| When: | Sunday, October 27, 2024 at 4:00 pm ET |
| Where: | Raymond James Stadium |
| Betting Odds: | Atlanta Falcons -2.5 / Tampa Bay Buccaneers +2.5 — Over/Under: 45.5 |
| Where to Watch: | FOX Stream live sports and exclusive originals on ESPN+. Sign up now! |
The Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers meet in NFL Week 8 action in an NFC South clash from Raymond James Stadium (Tifway 419 Bermuda Grass) on Sunday afternoon. We will take a look at this game from a betting perspective and then determine the best side bet for this game. Here’s an Atlanta Falcons vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers prediction.
Atlanta Falcons Recap
The Atlanta Falcons lost 34-14 at Home to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7 play. Atlanta is a perfect 4-0 vs the NFC but a winless 0-3 vs the AFC. After this game, the Dirty Birds will host the Cowboys in Week 9.
Falcons looking to sweep the injury-plagued Buccaneers
Kirk Cousins has been magnificent so far this season, throwing for 1,830 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. Bijan Robinson has rushed for 483 yards and four touchdowns to lead all Falcons rushers while Drake London leads Atlanta with 44 receptions for 491 yards and 5 touchdowns. On defense, Kaden Elliss has recorded a team-high 53 tackles. Atlanta ranks No. 17 in Total Defense allowing 336.1 ypg and have the strongest defense in the swiss cheese NFC South with the Panthers (#30), Buccaneers (#31), and Saints (#32) possessing the three worst defenses in the NFL.
Why the Atlanta Falcons will win
- Atlants is 4-0 vs the NFC in 2024 and has already beat the Buccaneers.
- The Falcons are 2-0 ATS the last 2 meetings in Tampa Bay.
- Kirk Cousins is 3-0 SU vs Divisional opponents while playing for Atlanta.
- Atlanta is 3-0 SU against the NFC South this season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Recap
The Buccaneers come in with some serious injury concerns with WRs Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Kameron Johnson, Cody Thompson, and Rakim Jarrett all hurt, so you can see why this line flipped favorites. Last week, Tampa Bay lost at Home to the Baltimore Ravens, 41-31. After this game, the Buccaneers will have two very difficult games against the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs in Kansas City (Week 9) followed by a Home Date with the 49ers (Week 10).
Buccaneers need the win here to take NFC South lead
Baker Mayfield has been as good, if not better, than the Falcons’ Cousins, throwing for 1,859 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. But with so many wide receivers out, the former Heisman Trophy winner will need guys like Cade Otton, Sterling Shephard, and Jalen McMillan to really step up. Leading rusher Bucky Irving (351 yards, 3 TDs, 5.2 ypc) is also injured and listed as Questionable for this game. On defense, Tampa Bay’s leading tacklers are Lavonte David (48), Jordan Whitehead (46), and Jamel Dean (43), but the defense has been very porous and ranks No. 31, allowing 386.0 ypg and has given up 20 touchdowns.
Why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will win
- The Buccaneers are the only NFC South team with a positive Point Differential (+27).
- Atlanta has never covered three straight Road games vs Tampa Bay.
- The Buccaneers are 6-3 SU in the last 9 meetings.
- TB has scored first in 7 of its last 9 and scored last in 10 of its last 13 games
Falcons vs Buccaneers Prediction
I lean to the Buccaneers in this game, even with all the injuries. Why? They are now getting 2.5 points in a game they can win and will expert to win, knowing that Atlanta is now their clear-cut competition to win the NFC South with the Saints having lost five straight and the Panthers being the Panthers. Tampa Bay has already defeated three very good NFC teams in the Washington Commanders, Detroit Lions, and Philadelphia Eagles, so getting revenge on the Falcons will matter, especially with those two very tough spots on the schedule on the immediate horizon.