Falcons (4-11) at Bucs (10-5)
Sunday, 1 ET, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.
TV: Fox
Danny Sheridan’s line: Bucs by 61⁄
2
Buccaneers’ keys to victory: Tampa Bay has struggled with slow starts but proved what it can do when firing on all cylinders in last week’s blowout win over short-handed Detroit. QB Tom Brady and the Bucs’ offense went a third straight game without a turnover, and continuing to take care of the football will be key in this game. The Bucs are among the NFL’s best teams on play-action passes, but they don’t run it often enough. On defense, getting after Falcons QB Matt Ryan will be critical as WR Calvin Ridley torched the Bucs back in Week 15..
Falcons’ keys to victory: Ryan will need more from his supporting cast, up front and at the skill positions. WR Calvin Ridley has been a stud, especially with WR Julio Jones struggling with injuries, but the rest of their playmakers need to step up. Getting consistent pressure on Brady will be the biggest objective on defense, keeping Tampa Bay’s star-studded group of pass-catching weapons from getting their hands on the ball.
Matchup to watch: Bucs WR Mike Evans vs. Falcons CB A.J. Terrell. Evans is coming off backto-back 100-yard games, and he’s just 40 yards shy of a seventh straight 1,000-yard season. Terrell, the Falcons’ top draft pick this year, has impressive physical tools.
Who wins? Two weeks ago, the Bucs spotted the Falcons a 17-0 halftime lead and came back for a 31-27 victory. Don’t be surprised if Tampa Bay starts much faster in this one as the Buccaneers prepare for their first trip to the postseason since 2007.
Bucs 27, Falcons 13