The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+4) are traveling north to battle the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. FOX is scheduled to televise the action and this NFC South game starts at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons Betting Preview
This Sunday NFC matchup shows the Buccaneers as the dogs and they’re currently being given 4 points. The Buccaneers are also receiving +140 moneyline odds while the Falcons are -160. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 57.5 points, and if one team can create a bunch of points early, it would likely create a worthy betting opportunity in-game.
The game’s O/U has swung higher after opening at 57. The original spread (-4) hasn’t budged.
The profitable Buccaneers are 2-2 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 2.4 units so far. The team’s posted an O/U record of 4-0. The Falcons have been a disappointment to moneyline bettors this season, losing 3.9 units. They’re 1-4 ATS and the over has hit in four of their games.
The Buccaneers have gone 2-2 straight up (SU), including 1-0 SU against NFC South opponents. The Falcons are 1-4 SU overall and 1-1 SU against divisional foes.
The Bucs fell to Chicago 48-10 in a Week 4 blowout where the passing game could’ve been better as the Buccaneers completed 25-of-38 passes for 271 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Jameis Winston went 16-for-20 for 145 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions while Ryan Fitzpatrick completed nine-of-18 for 126 yards and one interception. Ronald Jones II (just 29 rushing yards on 10 attempts) led the ground attack while Mike Evans (six receptions, 59 yards) and Adam Humphries (six catches, 36 yards) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
Atlanta just lost convincingly 41-17 to Pittsburgh in Week 5. The team’s defense allowed the Steelers to run for 131 yards on 29 rush attempts, including two rush TDs. James Conner was outstanding, putting up 110 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 21 attempts, along with 75 yards and a score on four catches for the Steelers. As a group, the Falcons collectively completed 31-of-45 passes for 305 yards and one touchdown. Matt Ryan went 26-for-38 for 285 yards and one touchdown while Matt Schaub was five-of-seven for 20 yards. Devonta Freeman (32 rushing yards on eight attempts) handled the running game as Austin Hooper (nine receptions, 77 yards) and Julio Jones (five catches, 62 yards) led the receiving attack in the loss.
Breaking down the offensive play-calling, each squad sports a strikingly similar (62-38 pass-to-run ratio on the season. The Buccaneers have rushed for 70 yards/game (including 112 per game versus South opponents) and have one score on the ground this year. The Falcons are totaling 89 rushing yards per game (109 in conference) and have five total rush TDs.
The Bucs offense has averaged a superb 375 yards through the air overall (417 per game versus conference opposition) and has 12 passing TD so far. The Falcons have recorded 324 pass yards per outing (323.0 against NFC competition) and have 11 total pass scores.
Defensively, Tampa Bay has let opponents rush for an average of 88 yards and pass for 370 yards per game. The Atlanta D has allowed 290.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 121.4 yards per game on the ground. The Falcons are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of 6.99 to opposing QBs, while the Buccaneers have allowed a whopping 9.98 ANY/A.
Offensively, Fitzpatrick is up to 945 passing yards this year. He’s connected on 57-of-79 attempts with eight passing scores and only two interceptions. He’s got a 12.01 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 5.33 over the last two outings.
In the home locker room, Matt Ryan has completed 96-of-144 passes for 1,182 yards, eight TDs and two INTs. Ryan’s ANY/A stands at 7.44 for the season and 8.43 over his past two outings.
RELATED: Week 6 NFL Betting Odds and Predictions
Free NFL Tip: Buccaneers vs. Falcons
SU Winner – Falcons, ATS Winner – Buccaneers, O/U – Under
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Notes
Team Betting Notes
Atlanta has lost one fumble this season while Tampa Bay has lost two.
Each team defense has tallied eight sacks this season.
Tampa Bay has produced 2.91228070175439 yards per carry across its last three outings and 3.6 over its last two.
Atlanta has averaged 3.1 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.6 over its last two.
In its last three matchups, Atlanta is 0-3 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
Tampa Bay was favored by 3 points in its previous game and the O/U was 45.5. The over cashed and Tampa Bay failed to cover in the 48-10 loss to Chicago.
Over its last three contests, Tampa Bay is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
Atlanta was favored by 4 points in its last outing and the Over/Under was set at 57. The over cashed and Atlanta failed to cover in the 41-17 loss to Pittsburgh.
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