The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a chance to get their putrid running game going Sunday when they take on the visiting Atlanta Falcons in NFC South action. The Buccaneers have rushed for just 65.3 yards per game, the second-lowest amount in the league. They had to ditch the running game after falling behind early in last week’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs but only managed 34 yards on 14 carries in a low-scoring game against the Green Bay Packers a week prior. In addition, the Falcons are in the bottom third of the league in rushing defense, having surrendered 126.3 yards per contest.
The Falcons, who have run the ball with authority, ranking fourth in the NFL with 128.5 yards per game, lost their biggest weapon in Cordarrelle Patterson, who was placed on injured reserve after a knee procedure. “He’s definitely been setting the tone for us offensively with the way he’s been running the ball,” left tackle Jake Matthews told the media of Patterson, who had 340 of the team’s 672 rushing yards. “He’s going to be missed for sure.” Patterson’s absence puts the onus on Tyler Allgeier and Caleb Huntley to carry the load for the Falcons, whose passing game has struggled. They average 181 passing yards per game – a total that surpasses just three teams – and quarterback Marcus Mariota has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns.
Let’s check the latest NFL odds, stats, injury reports, and NFL lines for Falcons vs Buccaneers. We’ve plenty of Vegas NFL odds for you to consider.
Buccaneers
Tom Brady hasn’t lost three straight games since 2002, his second season as the starter for the New England Patriots, and it is unlikely to happen against the Falcons. Brady is 9-0 in his career against Atlanta, including 4-0 as a member of the Buccaneers. The seven-time Super Bowl champion has averaged 358.3 passing yards while throwing for 15 touchdowns and two interceptions in his last four games against the Falcons. That doesn’t include the 466 passing yards and two touchdowns he had for the Patriots against Atlanta in Super Bowl LI. Brady will likely have all of his wide receivers at his disposal for this game. Chris Godwin, who returned last week after missing two games with a knee injury, had 15 catches for 143 yards the last time he faced Atlanta.
Falcons
Only the Los Angeles Chargers have been harder to run against than the Buccaneers, which will make it hard for the Falcons to move the ball. Huntley had a solid game last week, producing 56 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, but first-round pick Drake London, who has 18 receptions for 231 yards and two touchdowns, and Olamide Zaccheaus will have to shine for the Falcons to have any hope of staying in this game. The Falcons only throw it on 50% of their plays, which is one of the lowest rates in the league, but they are second in the league in air yards per target (11.02) and yards per catch (13.67). Tampa Bay, which ranks eighth in the NFL for yards per completion allowed (8.9), will look to limit the chunk plays in the passing game for the Falcons.
Falcons vs Buccaneers Game Injuries
Falcons vs Buccaneers Head-to-Head
The Buccaneers have won four straight games against the Falcons and have scored 30 or more points in every one. Tampa Bay holds a slim 29-28 lead in the all-time series.
The Buccaneers have a 16-14 record at home against the Falcons
Falcons vs Buccaneers Game Information
- Game: Falcons vs Buccaneers
- Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
- Day/Time: Sunday, Oct. 9th, 1:00 p.m. ET
- How to watch Falcons vs Buccaneers? ESPN
Falcons vs Buccaneers Live stream: NFL Game Pass
Falcons vs Buccaneers Betting Lines
Falcons vs Buccaneers Prediction
The NFL odds have the Buccaneers as 9½-point favorites, and that seems like an easy cover against a Falcons team that should struggle to score points. Atlanta is the only team in the NFL that is 4-0 against the spread this season.
The last four meetings have averaged 62.3 points, but that was when Matt Ryan was Atlanta’s QB. So, in this case, the over/under the line of 48 points might be a bit high.
Brady’s over 278½ passing yards and 2½ touchdowns look like good player props.
“The odds and predictions in the article are based on time of writing and publication. They may differ as to when the actual event takes place.”
