Tampa Bay Bucs vs. Atlanta Falcons, 10/12/18 Predictions & Odds

Bucs vs. Falcons Total Prediction

A pair of struggling NFC South rivals meet in Atlanta on Sunday when the Atlanta Falcons host the Tampa Bay Bucs at 1:00 p.m. ET. Given all of Atlanta’s defensive issues, will the over cash?

Game Snapshot

263 Tampa Bay Bucs at 264 Atlanta Falcons

1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, October 14

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Falcons are 3-point favorites to beat the Bucs. The total, meanwhile, sits at 57 points. As of this writing, 66% of the public betting tickets are on the Rams to cover the point spread.

Tampa Bay Bucs

O.J. Howard (knee) remained limited at Thursday's practice. Howard is less than two weeks removed from a sprained MCL but is trending toward playing Sunday against the Falcons. He'll be in an excellent spot against Atlanta's beat-up secondary.

Atlanta Falcons

Devonta Freeman (foot) remained sidelined on Thursday. ESPN's Dan Graziano has reported Freeman's injury is not a "long-term" issue, but he is very much looking doubtful for Week 6. The Falcons would immediately return to their 70-30 Tevin Coleman/Ito Smith committee if Freeman sits for a mouthwatering matchup with the Bucs.

NFL Betting Trends

Tampa Bay

The over is 5-0 in the Bucs’ last five games overall.

Atlanta

The over is 4-0 in the Falcons’ last four games overall.

Prediction

This total is set high for a NFL game but unlike Chiefs-Patriots, which will be played outdoors and on primetime, Bucs-Falcons is in a dome and Atlanta can score at will at home. Matt Ryan was sacked six times last week in Pittsburgh but the Falcons should be able to correct their protection issues and keep him upright. Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Tevin Coleman and Mohamed Sanu should all have big games. Meanwhile, this will be the return of Jamies Winston, who has thrown 12 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions over his career against the Falcons. Atlanta will once again be without both starting safeties, linebacker Deion Jones and could be without a handful of pass-rushers as well. This is going to be a shootout.

 

NFL Week 6 Prediction: Bucs/Falcons over 57