Last Updated on January 3, 2010 7:35 am by Anthony Rome
Falcons vs. Bucs Pick
NFC South rivals clash in the final week of the season when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Atlanta Falcons at 1:00PM ET on Sunday.
The Falcons beat the Bills 31-3 as an 8-point favorite in Week 16, as the combined score fell under the posted total of 40 points. Matt Ryan threw for 250 yards with three touchdowns, while Roddy White caught eight passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns.
The Buccaneers beat the Saints 20-17 in overtime as a 14-point underdog in Week 16, as the combined score fell under the posted total of 48.5 points. Cadillac Williams rushed for 129 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries for Tampa Bay, while rookie quarterback Josh Freeman threw for 271 yards and two TDs.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the Falcons 2-point favorites over the Buccaneers in Week 17, while the over/under total has been set for 41.5 points.
Our free pick prediction for this game is the Falcons –2. Atlanta has been playing great defensively of late and although Tampa Bay has won the past two weeks, this is still the same team that didn’t gain a first down until early in the second half against the Jets three weeks ago.
The Falcons are banged up on both sides of the ball, but they’ve got plenty of motivation to win this week because they’ll become the first team in franchise history to record back to back winning seasons. So why they won’t be playing for the playoffs, this Atlanta team will be fired up to get a win.
Our free pick prediction for the total is the under. The Falcons won’t have Michael Turner or Tony Gonzalez for this game, so we don’t think they’ll light up the scoreboard. And given how well their defense has played of late, we don’t think Tampa will score much either.
Our NFL Week 17 Free Pick for this matchup is: ATLANTA FALCONS -2 and UNDER 41.5.
Falcons vs. Buccaneers Current Odds
321 Atlanta Falcons –2 Over 41.5
322 Tampa Bay Buccaneers +2 Under 41.5
Atlanta is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Atlanta is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Atlanta
Tampa Bay is 12-6 SU in its last 18 games when playing Atlanta
ATLANTA
[S] 10/27/2009 – William Moore IR ( Hamstring )
[WR] 08/05/2009 – Harry Douglas IR ( Leg )
[DT] 09/27/2009 – Peria Jerry IR ( Knee )
[CB] 11/04/2009 – Brian Williams IR ( ACL )
[S] 11/05/2009 – Jamaal Fudge IR ( Knee )
[LS] 11/05/2009 – Mike Schneck IR ( Ribs )
[RB] 12/27/2009 – Michael Turner "?" Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Ankle )
[OG] 12/29/2009 – Harvey Dahl IR ( Ankle )
[LB] 12/08/2009 – Tony Gilbert IR ( Hamstring )
[CB] 12/29/2009 – Chris Houston IR ( Hamstring )
[DE] 12/27/2009 – Jamaal Anderson "?" Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Chest )
[WR] 12/14/2009 – Brian Finneran IR ( Knee )
[S] 12/21/2009 – Antoine Harris IR ( Knee )
[P] 12/27/2009 – Michael Koenen injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Head )
[TE] 12/27/2009 – Tony Gonzalez injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Calf )
[K] 12/28/2009 – Matt Bryant doubtful Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Hamstring )
TAMPA BAY
[LB] 08/23/2009 – Angelo Crowell IR ( Bicep )
[CB] 09/20/2009 – EJ Biggers IR ( Shoulder )
[OT] 09/06/2009 – Xavier Fulton IR ( Knee )
[P] 08/17/2009 – Josh Bidwell IR ( Hip )
[S] 09/21/2009 – Jermaine Phillips IR ( Thumb )
[FB] 10/20/2009 – B.J. Askew IR ( Neck )
[S] 11/11/2009 – Will Allen IR ( Thumb )
[LB] 11/11/2009 – Rod Wilson IR ( Hamstring )
[QB] 11/24/2009 – Byron Leftwich IR ( Elbow )
[P] 11/30/2009 – Dirk Johnson IR ( Hamstring )
[CB] 11/30/2009 – Torrie Cox IR ( Hip )
[CB] 12/08/2009 – Clifton Smith IR ( Concussion )
[DL] 12/27/2009 – Michael Bennett "?" Sunday vs. Atlanta ( Knee )
[WR] 12/21/2009 – Sammie Stroughter IR ( Foot )
[DE] 12/28/2009 – Jimmy Wilkerson IR ( Knee )
[RB] 12/28/2009 – Earnest Graham IR ( Toe )
Posted: 1/3/10 7:35AM ET