Note: If you’re looking
for the 2014 Week 10 matchup between these teams, please go here: Falcons
vs. Buccaneeers Point Spread and Pick
Atlanta Falcons (2-6 SU, 3-5 ATS) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-7 SU, 3-5 ATS)
NFL Week 10
Date and Time: Sunday, November 9, 1:00pm EST
Where: Raymond James Stadium – Tampa, FL
TV: FOX
by Bob, Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: ATL -1 /TAM +1
Over/Under Total: 46
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This Sunday, we have an NFC South showdown when two of the most disappointing teams in the NFL face off in Tampa, Florida. The 2-6 Atlanta Falcons will head into Raymond James Stadium to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This will be the second time these two teams have played this season, and the last meeting was a dominant showing by the Falcons who beat Tampa 56-14 in the Georgia Dome. Coming into this season, both teams thought they had a shot to win the NFC South, the crazy thing is, at 2-6 and 1-7, neither is out of the race…the NFC South is down this year, although it seems the Saints are finally heating up. The winner of this game will inch their way a tad bit back in the NFC South race, while the loser can call it quits.
The line in this game has the Falcons favored by one point on the road with the total points set at 46. Like stated earlier, these two teams met in week three and it was a complete thrashing the Falcons put on Tampa in the Georgia that Thursday night. It was 56-0 heading into the 4th quarter which was the 2nd largest deficit in NFL history after three quarters. This game is a toss up, a complete toss up. Which is why a team that was so dominant just a few weeks ago is not just a one point fave.
The Atlanta Falcons have been the bigger disappointment this season. It is so bad, that just this past weekend it was said that owner, Arthur Blank is already preparing a list of coaching candidates for when this season ends. The days of Mike Smith and Thomas Dimitroff may be numbered. Up until 2013, coach Mike Smith had led Atlanta to their best five year run in franchise history. Last year finishing 4-12, many thought was just a fluke, well, now at 2-6, things are not looking much better, actually they are looking worse. The offensive line is in shambles, the defense is scared to hit anyone, and Matt Ryan spends more time looking up to the sky than down field to his receivers. This team needs a whole new makeover. From top to bottom, things must change. On a positive note, with the exception of the Cincinnati game, Atlanta has been pretty competitive in each game this season. The problem with this team, is that they never come out to play after half time. The most recent loss was a 22-21 loss to the Detroit Lions in London. The Falcons led that game 21-0 in the first and had a shot to add on more points, but Mike Smith opted to take a knee with over a minute to go. It is decisions like that that are going to cause him to be employed in a month or two. Another positive to take away from this team is that despite a bad O-Line, Matt Ryan has still thrown for over 2,300 yards and is ranked 7th in the NFL. No other area of this team is having any success though. Regardless of Ryan getting the yards in the air, the Falcons have only scored ONE TOUCHDOWN in the 4th quarter in the last five games. No other team in the NFL has gone that cold in the fourth quarter this season….not even Jacksonville. Now on to the defense: The Falcons defense is ranked 30th against the pass and 25th against the run. I am going to put this game on the coaches and offense. If the Falcons can play a full four quarters and score at least 30 points, I think they win…if Tampa shuts them down for a whole half, we could be looking at a sixth straight loss for the Dirty Birds.
Tampa is a mess. It appears they have given up, and many people find that shocking since Lovie Smith is now their coach. Lovie’s job is not in trouble, but this team needs to show a little fire because they are flat out bad. At 1-7, Tampa may seriously be the absolute worst team in the NFL. I am still puzzled how they won that game over the Steelers who have now become a force in the AFC, I guess “any given Sunday” is the motto you throw out for that. Tampa does not only just have one win this season, but they are a statistical mess too. The Bucs rank 26th in rushing offense and 29th in passing. On the defensive side, they are no better. Tampa has the 31st worst passing defense in the league along with the 18th ranked run defense. There is not much to say here except for the fact that if Tampa wants to get that second win of the season, they got to play some defense. If they can force the Falcons to play a low scoring game, there is a good chance the Falcons will find a way to blow it.
Bob’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: What a terrible game to handicap. This thing could go either way and I have no idea who to take. I will go with the eye test on this one since it is a straight up pick pretty much. I think the Falcons are just a better team than Tampa. Atlanta, for a half, shows heart in each game, so I will just take Atlanta to win an ugly 28-22 game. PICK THE ATLANTA FALCONS -1
