Bucs (8-8) at Falcons (6-10)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, MercedesBenz Stadium, Atlanta
TV: Fox
Tipico Sportsbook line: cons by 3
Buccaneers’ keys to
Tampa Bay’s offense has been less explosive than it was over the last two seasons, but the team can still move the ball through the air effectively. Buccaneers QB Tom Brady threw for 432 yards and three touchdowns to clinch the NFC South in Week 17. The Falcons defense allows 237.9 passing yards per game, so that’s where Tampa Bay should look to attack. Defensively, the Buccaneers need to stop Falcons RB Tyler Allgeier, who eclipsed 1,000 all-purpose yards for the season during Atlanta’s win over the Cardinals in Week 17.
Falcons’ keys to victory: The Bucs struggle to stop the run, and that’s where Atlanta should attack them. Rookie QB Desmond Ridder hasn’t thrown a touchdown or interception in three starts, but he has shown steady progress and made clutch plays during Atlanta’s Week 17 win over the Cardinals. Still, the Falcons should keep the ball in the hands of Allgeier and RB Cordarrelle Patterson. On the flip side, Atlanta’s defense has to find a way to get pressure up front without blitzing in order to slow down the Bucs offense.
Matchup to watch: Buccaneers’ Brady vs. Falcons DL Grady Jarrett. The last time these two teams met Jarrett was flagged for a roughing-the-passer penalty on Brady that essentially ended the game. Jarrett has been dominant this season, and after being left off the NFC Pro Bowl roster, he should be motivated to get revenge against Brady and the Bucs.
Who wins? The Falcons should hang around, but the Buccaneers will make plays late to win.
Buccaneers, 21-17
Matt Urben, Falcons Wire
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