Atlanta Falcons (6-10) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8)
Game Info: Sunday, January 8, 2023 at 1:00 pm (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Betting Odds: Atlanta Falcons -4.5 -- Over/Under: 40.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will play the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 8-8 this season after they defeated the Carolina Panthers by a score of 30-24 in their last game. Tampa Bay out gained Carolina by a total of 478-400 and forced three turnovers in the win. The Tampa Bay offense is averaging 18.5 points per game with 278.1 passing yards per game and 76.4 rushing yards per game. Tom Brady has thrown for 4,610 yards, 24 touchdowns, and nine interceptions for the Buccaneers this season. Leonard Fournette has rushed for 668 yards and three touchdowns, while Mike Evans has caught 77 passes for 1,124 yards and six scores for Tampa Bay. The Tampa Bay defense is giving up 20.5 points per game and 320.7 yards per game.
The Atlanta Falcons are 6-10 this season after they defeated the Arizona Cardinals by a score of 20-19 in their last game. Atlanta was out gained by a total of 339-298 and went 5-11 on third down conversions in the game. The Atlanta offense is averaging 20.9 points per game with 155.7 passing yards per game and 159 rushing yards per game. Desmond Ridder has thrown for 484 yards for the Falcons this season. Tyler Allgeier has rushed for 900 yards and three touchdowns, while Drake London has caught 66 passes for 746 yards and four scores for Atlanta. The Atlanta defense is allowing 23.1 points per game and 370.9 yards per game.
Tampa Bay is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 January games and 2-11-1 ATS in their last 14 games. The under is 6-1 in Tampa Bay’s last 7 road games. Atlanta is 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games. The under is 5-0 in Atlanta’s last 5 games. The over is 7-2 in these two teams last 9 head to head meetings.
This game doesn’t mean much to either team, as Tampa Bay has locked up the AFC South and Atlanta has been eliminated from the playoffs. Tampa Bay may choose to rest some of their starters or only let them play a few series, so it will be important to monitor that before kickoff. Atlanta has played decently well in their last five games, but they have only come away with one win. I am going to take Atlanta with the points, as I don’t think Tampa Bay will make a very strong push in a meaningless game before the postseason.
David’s Pick Falcons -4.5
AUTHOR: David Racey
Mitch's Take...
