The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have a lot of interesting decisions to make before its season finale with the Atlanta Falcons. Mostly, anyone making Buccaneers vs Falcons betting picks will have to follow news about the game closely because Tampa Bay could not be playing key players. The Buccaneers closed out the pillow fight that was the NFC South Division race by claiming the crown with a win over Carolina.
Because the Tampa Bay Buccaneers record is 8-8, they won’t have anything to play for. Tampa Bay can’t improve its seeding because of its poor record, and the Buccaneers also have nothing to lose because they won their division. Atlanta is playing mostly to avoid a spot in the basement.
Looking at NFL standings shows the Falcons are tied with the Panthers for last place in the division with a 6-10 record. A win in the last week could help them finish third.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons Game Info and Analysis
Matchup Information
- Game: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8) vs. Atlanta Falcons (6-10)
- Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
- When: Sunday January 8th, 2022, time TBD
- Watch: TBD
The Veteran Tampa Bay Team Dragged Itself Into the Playoffs
The Buccaneers won’t be a team that is remembered for putting up fantastic NFL team stats. In fact, the fact Tampa Bay was able to win its division at all was mostly due to the three other teams in the division playing so poorly. The Buccaneers’ offense only scores 18.5 points per game, which ranks 24th in the league. Let’s check the NFL Playoff Bracket.
Tampa Bay’s passing offense has been OK. Veteran quarterback Tom Brady has put up 278.1 yards per game, ranking second in the league. The Buccaneers’ running game has been nearly non-existent. Tampa Bay is 32nd in the league, piling up 76.4 yards per game on the ground. The Buccaneers’ lack of success hasn’t been due to having people on the NFL injury report, either. Tampa Bay’s older roster has shown signs of its age.
People looking at NFL odds will see the Buccaneers’ defense has carried them. Tampa Bay ranks in the top 10 in total yards, passing yards, and points allowed. The Buccaneers have done so despite only forcing 19 turnovers.
Key Injuries
- LB Carl Nassib out (pectoral)
- CB Carlton Davis III (shoulder)
- WR Breshad Perriman (coach’s decision)
Betting Trends
- Tampa Bay is 4-11-1 against the spread.
- The total has gone under in 11 of the Buccaneers’ 16 games.
- Tampa Bay is 3-4 straight up on the road.
- The Buccaneers are 2-8 against the spread in their last ten games.
The Ridder era in Atlanta has Been Ho-hum Thus Far
People making Buccaneers vs. Falcons betting picks will be thrilled to know Desmond Ridder hasn’t thrown any back-breaking interceptions yet. The biggest issue for Atlanta is that NFL player stats show he hasn’t made many big plays, either. The Falcons’ rookie quarterback hasn’t thrown a touchdown or an interception during his first three starts.
Atlanta snapped a four-game winning streak last week by sneaking past the lowly Arizona Cardinals. The Falcons have the third-best rushing attack in the league by piling up 159 yards per game. However, Atlanta’s offense as a whole has struggled. The Falcons are 31st in passing and 19th in points scored.
When to Atlanta Falcons games this season, Atlanta has been competitive in most of them but had fallen apart down the stretch in a few of them. The Falcons were one of the hottest teams against the spread to start the season but finished 2-8 down the stretch to fall to 8-8 on the year.
Key Injuries
- CB Avery Williams questionable (foot)
- DT Matt Dickerson out
- OT Elijah Wilkins out (calf)
Betting Trends
- The Falcons were 8-8 against the spread this season.
- Atlanta saw the total go under in 10 of its 16 games.
- The Falcons are 5-3 straight up at home.
- The total has gone under in seven of Atlanta’s last eight games.
Buccaneers vs. Falcons Odds
NFL odds have the Falcons as 7.5-point favorites. Atlanta is -335 on the moneyline, while Tampa Bay is +255. The over/under is set at 38.5 points.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons Betting Picks
Making Buccaneers vs. Falcons betting picks is a little different this week. Tampa Bay is likely to sit Brady and several other starters. Meanwhile, Atlanta is hoping to take a longer look at several players with the idea of trying to build for next season. Even though the Falcons are a heavy favorite because of who the Buccaneers won’t be playing, -335 is a high number to lay on the Falcons. This is a parlay or pass spot on Atlanta’s moneyline.
Betting the spread on this game will be one of the trickier NFL picks to make this week. Atlanta should win this game by a touchdown. However, it’s hard to imagine the Buccaneers not playing well enough to keep it from getting far out of hand. While Tampa Bay isn’t worried about winning, the Buccaneers won’t want to be embarrassed either.
This is a game on the NFL schedule where the total may be comfortable under 38.5. Desmond Ridder is still finding his way in the Falcons’ offense. Atlanta also likes to run the ball and keep the clock moving.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons Score Prediction
Atlanta Falcons: 17, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 10
NFL Pick: Under 38.5, Atlanta Falcons moneyline
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