Bucs vs. Falcons Free Pick
ATLANTA, GA (ATS Consultants) – NFC South rivals clash in Atlanta tonight when the Falcons host the Bucs at 8:25PM ET.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Falcons are 6.5-point favorites over the Bucs while the over/under total is currently sitting at 46.5 points. Atlanta opened as 5.5-point favorites before the number jumped up, while the total opened at 45 and has also been bet up throughout the course of the week.
ATLANTA: After beating the Saints 37-34 in overtime as a 3-point home underdog in Week 1, the Falcons were easily disposed of in a 24-10 loss to the Bengals Week 2. The final score should have been much worse but Cincinnati kicker Mike Nugent missed three field goals in the victory. One week after putting together a career performance versus New Orleans, Matt Ryan was picked off three times and also roughed up thanks to shaky pass protection. The Falcons hope their offensive line play will improve with the return of LT Jake Matthews, who says he’s going to play tonight versus the Bucs. The Falcons are now 1-1 straight up and 1-1 against the spread.
TAMPA BAY: One week after losing to a Cam Newton-less Panthers team, the Bucs were beaten by another backup quarterback last Sunday at home in a 19-17 loss to the Rams. Tampa Bay allowed third-stringer Austin Davis to throw for 235 yards, which included a huge 27-yard pass play late in the fourth quarter that led to the eventual game-winning field goal. While Bobby Rainey rushed for 144 yards on 22 carries, Josh McCown struggled again in his second start for the Bucs. He threw for just 179 yards and was intercepted in the red zone when the Bucs were knocking on the door of scoring in the first half. Tampa Bay is now 0-2 straight up and 0-2 against the spread.
NFL FREE PICK: Take the over. According to latest NFL trends, the over is 4-0 in the Buccaneers’ last four Thursday games. The over is also 4-0 in the Falcons’ last four home games versus a team with a losing road record and 7-1 in his last eight games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game. The over is also 4-1 in the Falcons’ last five games in September, 8-3 in their last 11 home games and 7-3-1 in their last 11 games after scoring less than 15 points in their previous game. With White expected to play, Atlanta’s offense should get back on track when it returns home tonight against a banged up Tampa Bay defense.
2014 NFL WEEK 3 FREE PICK: BUCS/FALCONS OVER 46.5
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