Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Atlanta Falcons (1/8/23): Betting Odds, Prediction, Depth Chart
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are traveling to Atlanta to battle the Falcons for their regular season finale. The Buccaneers season has been anything but rosy at just 8-8, yet they are still NFC South champions and playoff bound. Meanwhile, the 6-10 Falcons season will end after this matchup, so let’s see if they can upset the Bucs for one last hurrah before their offseason.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Vs. Atlanta Falcons Betting Odds
The Falcons are favored by (-4.5) over the Bucs (+4.5) and the over/under is set at 40.5. Though this game has no bearing on playoff seeding, I was surprised to see the Falcons favored, especially with Tampa HC Todd Bowles announcing they do not plan to sit their players.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Vs. Atlanta Falcons Prediction
The Buccaneers won the division in a critical 30-24 win over the Carolina Panthers. The Bucs offense has stalled all season, but finally gave us the performance we’ve all expected when they put up 478 total yards, including QB Tom Brady throwing for 432 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 picks. The Bucs are guaranteed the 4th seed and one home game, likely against the Cowboys in the wildcard round. Even with their wildcard matchup mostly predetermined, don’t expect the Bucs to sit this game and rest their starters. HC Todd Bowles has announced his starters will most likely play as they do not want to “take the foot off the gas and have a lot of room for improvement.” This definitely makes sense as the Bucs will enter the playoffs with increased confidence if they gain more momentum and consistency.
The Falcons are out of contention, but the team got a morale boost when rookie QB Desmond Ridder secured his first win of the season versus the Cardinals last Sunday. The win also broke the team’s 4 game losing streak. Desmond Ridder continued his streak of steady improvement when he completed 73% of his passes for a 90.1 rating. Falcons fans are slowly encouraged by his improvement and Ridder will hope to finish his rookie season strong against the Bucs.
📺 FOX || NFL+ pic.twitter.com/jHWCB4HBra
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 1, 2023
I’m taking the Bucs to upset the Falcons. So long as Brady and the starters are playing, I believe they will be able to outlast the Desmond Ridder led Falcons.
Prediction: Bucs 24-20, Over hits.
(Tallysite widget)
Betting Trends
Buccaneers are 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 vs. NFC.
Falcons are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
Key Injuries
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Injuries: Carlton Davis (Q), Carl Nassib (Q), Rashard Robinson (Q)
Atlanta Falcons Injuries: Elijah Wilkinson (Q), John FitzPatrick (Q), Casey Hayward (Q)
Check out the key matchups and mismatches for Bucs vs Falcons below.
The Falcons Run Game vs the Bucs Defensive Front
In the first matchup between these teams this season, the Falcons rushed for 151 yards. However the run game looked different at that point of the season as QB Marcus Mariota gained the most yards on the ground while Cordarelle Patterson sat out with an injury. Still, the Falcons have maintained the #3 run attack thanks to their dup of Cordarelle Patterson and Tyler Allegeier. Allegeier has 900 rushing yards on the season and can reach 1,000 if he has a strong 100 yard performance this Sunday.
We will say it again…Tyler Allgeier is good at football
📺 FOX || NFL+ pic.twitter.com/RZCcqaizmi
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 1, 2023
The Bucs defensive front had an impressive performance limiting the Panthers exceptional run game to just 74 yards combined. With studs like LB Devin White, LB Lavonte David, and DT Vita Tea all lining up on the front, the Bucs shouldn’t be intimidated by the Falcons ground game.
Mike Evans vs A.J. Terrell
Mike Evans had his game of the season when he completed a hat trick against the Panthers to win the NFC South for the Bucs. In total, Evans recorded 10 receptions for 207 yards and 3 TDs, solidifying his 9th straight 1,000 yard season. He has extended his own record of the most consecutive 1,000 yard seasons to start a career, proving he’s been one of the more undervalued receivers in the league.
.@TomBrady to @MikeEvans13_ today
– 63-yard TD
– 57-yard TD
– 30-yard TD pic.twitter.com/n8bacnNONd— NFL (@NFL) January 1, 2023
In the first game between the Bucs and Falcons, A.J. Terrell went up against Evans throughout the game. Evans got the best of Terrell for the most part that day with 4 catches for 81 yards. After Evans hat trick, it may be best for the Falcons to double team or provide safety help so he doesn’t win the game singlehandedly.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Depth Chart
QB: Tom Brady
RB1: Rachaad White
RB2: Leonard Fournette
LWR: Mike Evans
RWR: Chris Godwin
SWR: Russell Gage
TE1: Cameron Brate
Atlanta Falcons Depth Chart
QB: Desmond Ridder
RB1: Cordarrelle Patterson
RB2: Tyler Allgeier
LWR: Bryan Edwards
RWR: Drake London
SWR: Olamide Zaccheaus
