Tampa Bay Buccaneers(4-6SU,3-6-1ATS) vs. Atlanta Falcons(6-4SU, 4-6ATS)
NFL Week 12
Date/Time:Sunday, November 26, 1:00pm ET
Where:Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, GA
TV:Fox
byBob,NFL Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread:TB +10/ATL -10
Over/Under Total:48.5
This Sunday in Atlanta, Georgia the Atlanta Falcons will try to keep their winning ways going when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers come to town. Atlanta is sitting at 6-4 overall after a Monday night win over the Seattle Seahawks while the Bucs enter this game at 4-6 on the 2017 season. This will be the first of two games between these teams this season as we are entering the home stretch and the playoff races in the league.
The Falcons come into this game as ten point home favorites over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the total points in this game are set at 48.5 combined. As of late Tuesday night, 58% of the betting action was on the Falcons to cover the spread while 54% of the bettors liked this game to go over the posted total. Both teams have had problems covering the spread this season so this should be interesting to watch as it plays out.
The Falcons started the season at 3-0 then began to fall apart. Many began to write the Birds off but in the last three weeks they have begun to look good again. With wins over the Jets, Seahawks, and Cowboys, the Falcons have found themselves in the playoff hunt and if the season ended today, they would be a wild card team. The Falcons do have some issues to work out if they plan to get back into the Super Bowl but the wins are starting to come regardless of their play not being great. Special teams, penalties, and playcalling has to improve if Atlanta has any dreams of competing for the NFC title again. On the bright side, the offense is clicking again…at least at times. Atlanta is now ranked 13th in both scoring offense and scoring defense in the NFL. The offense like I said earlier is finally scoring and while the defense is giving up points, they are also making big plays by pressuring opposing QBs and forcing turnovers.
The key this weekend for Atlanta will be to overcome again the absence of Devonte Freeman who is out with a concussion. This past Monday, Tevin Coleman and Terron Ward had problems getting the run game going in the first half but as the game went on, they did enough to help out Matt Ryan and the passing game keep control of the ball and hang on for the win over Seattle. Much of the same will be needed this week if they want to beat Tampa and improve to 7-4 and head into the final stretch of the regular season.
Tampa was considered a legit contender in the NFC South coming into 2017. Well, they have been anything but that. The Buccaneers are 4-6 and are in last place in the division. Now they have to head into Atlanta without their starting quarterback, Jameis Winston. Tampa will now lean on the arm of Ryan Fitzpatrick and try to steal a win in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Bucs are ranked 30th in the NFL in rushing with an average of just 79 yards a game on the ground. If Tampa plans to get a win this Sunday, this number must increase and take pressure off Ryan Fitzpatrick. There is no way that Tampa will be able to win this game passing the ball and abandoning the run game. Also, from a defensive standpoint, the Bucs cannot let Matt Ryan and the Falcons get going. Opposing offenses are scoring more than three touchdowns a game against Tampa and as far as talent is concerned, the Falcons will be the toughest test that Tampa has faced thus far. If they do not set the tone and keep Atlanta from making big plays, this game could get out of hand.
I think Atlanta h as the definite advantage in this game but that does notalways translate into winsand it certainly does not translate into covering the spread. With that said, I really like Atlanta this weekend. It appears the Falcons are finally clicking again and without their starting QB, Tampa will have a hard time getting any offense going this Sunday. I think Atlanta wins this game going away something like 27-14. Atlanta will improve to 7-4 while Tampa falls to 4-7 and any slim playoff chances disappear.
Bob’sPick to Cover the Point Spread:TAKE THE ATLANTA FALCONS -10. – Bet this game for FREE by taking advantage of a FAT 100% bonus up to $1000 at MyBookie! (Use Promo Code: PRDCT14)
