The Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers meet in week 8 NFL action from Raymond James Stadium on Sunday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Prediction
I’m on the Buccaneers in this one. I just think there’s a bit of a letdown spot here for Atlanta after handing the 49ers their first loss of the year and Tampa getting Baker Mayfield back is a big boost for the Bucs in a wide open NFC South. I think this is going to be an entertaining matchup, but one I think that the Buccaneers come out on top in so give me the Bucs at home in this one.
Atlanta Falcons Recap
The Atlanta Falcons come into this game looking to add on to their 26-20 win over San Francisco last time out to sit at 3-4 so far this season. After this game, the Falcons will head home for a matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Falcons Snap Two-Game Losing Streak
Michael Penix Jr. has thrown for 1,157 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 1 interception while completing 66.7% of his passes to lead the Atlanta passing attack, backed by 96 completions on 144 attempts through five games played. On the ground, Bijan Robinson paces the rushing attack with 704 yards and 4 touchdowns on 131 carries, while Brian Robinson Jr. chips in with 211 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns on 53 carries, Cooper Rush adds 20 yards, and Jack Strand contributes 16 yards. Within the receiving game, Drake London leads all pass-catchers with 616 yards and 1 touchdown on 38 receptions and 57 targets. He is closely complemented by Jahan Dotson, who accounts for 242 yards and 2 scores on 12 catches, Bijan Robinson with 203 yards and 1 touchdown on 25 receptions, Kyle Pitts Sr. adding 191 yards and 4 scores on 20 catches, and Austin Hooper chipping in 67 yards on 8 receptions. Defensively, Xavier Watts anchors the unit with a team-high 44 total tackles across seven games. As a collective group, the Falcons defense has disrupted opposing offenses by accumulating 16 total sacks, 40 tackles for loss, and 35 pass deflections while securing 3 interceptions through this stretch of the season.
Why the Atlanta Falcons will win
- The Falcons have won each of their last five games as road underdogs against NFC opponents.
- The Buccaneers have lost 15 of their last 16 Week 8 home games.
- The Buccaneers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last 10 games in Florida.
- The road team has covered the spread in each of the Buccaneers’ last six games.
- The Falcons have won the first quarter in each of their last four games as underdogs following a win.
- The Falcons have won the first half in each of their last six games as road underdogs against NFC opponents.
- The Falcons have scored the first touchdown in each of their last five games following a win.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Recap
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers come into this game looking to add on to their 43-13 win over Carolina last time out to sit at 2-5 this season. After this game, Tampa Bay will head on the road for a game against the Chicago Bears.
Buccaneers Alternate Wins & Losses In 4 Straight
Baker Mayfield has thrown for 679 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions while completing 63.6% of his passes to lead the Tampa Bay passing attack, backed by 68 completions on 107 attempts through four games played, with Jalon Daniels providing supplemental support via 501 passing yards and 3 scores on 60 completions across five games. The Buccaneers’ ground game is spearheaded by Bucky Irving, who rushes for 558 yards and 4 touchdowns on 120 carries, followed closely by Kenny Gainwell with 149 yards on 33 carries, Jalon Daniels adding 123 rushing yards on 22 attempts, Sean Tucker chipping in 80 yards and 2 scores on 15 carries, and Baker Mayfield adding 66 yards and 1 score on 12 rushing attempts. Through the air, Chris Godwin Jr. leads the receiving corps with 243 yards and zero touchdowns on 27 catches, while Emeka Egbuka adds 240 yards and 2 scores on 28 receptions, Cade Otton logs 186 yards on 19 catches, Tez Johnson adds 178 yards and 1 score on 9 receptions, and Ted Hurst III rounds out key targets with 168 yards and 1 score on 11 catches. Defensively, Josiah Trotter anchors the Tampa Bay squad by logging a team-high 62 total tackles over six games. Altogether, the Buccaneers’ defensive unit has successfully combined to bring down opposing quarterbacks for 16 sacks, 38 tackles for loss, and 37 pass deflections while also coming away with 8 total interceptions.
Why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will win
- The Falcons have lost each of their last nine games as road underdogs following a home win.
- The Buccaneers have won five of their last six day games against the Falcons following a win.
- The Falcons have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games as road underdogs following a home win.
- The favorites have covered the spread in each of the Buccaneers’ last three games at Raymond James Stadium.
- The Buccaneers have scored the first touchdown in 10 of their last 11 games as favorites.
- The Buccaneers have won the first quarter in each of their last six home games against the Falcons following a win.
- The Buccaneers have won the first half in each of their last six games against the Falcons following a win.