Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-1), Total 46 |
Atlanta needed a win and got it last week with a 35-31 win over the Philadelphia Eagles as 2.5-point home underdogs. The Falcons were embarrassed in a 30-12 loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 1, but professional bettors are quick to point out that the team was out-gained by 129 yards last week.
The team trails in this series, 18-17, but has picked up victories in the last five games over Tampa Bay. It could likely even things up with head coach Mike Smith coming in with a 7-2 record in afternoon games.
The Falcons will look to continue their strong play inside the red zone against the Bucs. The offense is currently second in the NFC with a 71 percent success rate in the red zone, scoring five touchdowns on seven possessions.
A focal point in practice this week is the protection of quarterback Matt Ryan, who has been sacked nine times in three games. The offensive line allowed only 23 sacks all of last season, which was second-best in the NFL. It’s important to note that the Buccaneers have failed to reach Ryan in the last two meetings.
On the other side of the ball, the pass defense comes into this contest ranked 27th in the league, allowing 312 yards in the opener and 314 yards last week. It’s a slight drop off from ranking 22nd versus the pass a year ago.
The NFL betting odds are important in this contest, as the Falcons are 10-6 ATS when the spread is in between plus-three to minus-three.
Tampa Bay finished last year with a 10-6 overall mark and avoided starting 0-2 this year with a 24-20 come-from-behind victory last week in Minnesota. The Buccaneers were getting hammered in the first half, as the Vikings held a 284-62 yardage advantage going into the break.
Quarterback Josh Freeman led the comeback, throwing for 243 yards and leading the squad on two fourth-quarter touchdown drives. “It really reminds me of how we were playing last season,” commented Freeman after the game. Just an all-around good effort from everyone.”
Running back LeGarrette Blount finally got some running room this season in gaining 71 yards on 13 carries, which has led to a 5.5 yards per carry average. He set a team record with 5.0 yards per carry last season.
The team should be confident in trying to pick up a win in this contest, losing five straight in the series, but four of the contests were decided by six points or less.
When making NFL picks this weekend, Buccaneers betting fans will need to know that they are 8-3-1 ATS in their last 12 games, while the favorite is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
