The Tampa Bay Buccaneers aim to regain their form as they host the Atlanta Falcons in a pivotal NFC South showdown on Thursday Night Football. The game is scheduled for December 14 at 8:15 PM ET at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
The Falcons are coming off a disheartening 37-9 defeat against the Seattle Seahawks, while the Buccaneers suffered a narrow 24-20 loss to the New Orleans Saints last week. Atlanta, with a record of 4-9, has struggled lately, losing seven of their last eight games, and holds a 2-5 record on the road this season. In contrast, the Buccaneers, who stand at 7-6, have lost five of their last seven contests and are 3-3 in their home games.
Historically, the matchup has been competitive, with the all-time series tied at 32-32. In their previous encounter on September 7, the Buccaneers edged the Falcons with a 23-20 victory. Currently, the Buccaneers are favored by 4.5 points, and the over/under for total points in the game is set at 44.5, according to the latest odds from SportsLine.
Before making any bets on this matchup, it”s wise to check the NFL predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model. This model has proven successful, simulating every NFL game 10,000 times and yielding substantial returns for its users. The model has consistently performed well, with a record of 50-35 on top-rated picks since the start of the current season.
Baker Mayfield leads the Tampa Bay offense. In 13 games this season, he has completed 61.6% of his passes for 2,722 yards, recording 20 touchdowns against six interceptions, boasting a rating of 90.6. He has also contributed on the ground, rushing 43 times for 285 yards and one touchdown. In the last matchup against the Falcons, Mayfield completed 17 of 32 passes for 167 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 39 rushing yards.
His primary target has been rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, who has amassed 54 receptions for 806 yards and six touchdowns this season. In the previous game against Atlanta, Egbuka caught four passes for 67 yards and two touchdowns.
For Atlanta, veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins has stepped in following the season-ending injury to Michael Penix Jr.. In six games, Cousins has completed 60.9% of his passes for 845 yards and three touchdowns. He recently led the Falcons to a 24-10 win against the Saints, showcasing his potential to perform under pressure.
The Atlanta ground game is spearheaded by third-year running back Bijan Robinson, who has rushed for over 1,000 yards this season, averaging 5.0 yards per carry. He has also been a key player in the passing game, catching 56 passes for 602 yards and two touchdowns.
As the Buccaneers and Falcons prepare for this critical encounter, fans and analysts alike are eager to see which team will emerge victorious and strengthen their position in the competitive NFC South. For the latest predictions and insights, visit SportsLine.
