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Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons NFL Betting Odds & Spread

Written December 11, 2008 by Jason Lowry

The NFC South is looking more and more like it is the class of the NFC, and this week we get a big time matchup when the 8-5 Atlanta Falcons host the 9-4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as both teams fight for their playoff lives. Last week the Falcons stumbled on the road to the Saints 25-29, while the Buccaneers got ran over by the Panthers on Monday Night Football 38-23. This is the second go around for these two teams, as the Bucs beat up on the Falcons in week two 24-9, but with the way this whole division plays at home it would come as no surprise to see the Falcons win this weekend. For those of you looking to do a little NFL betting this weekend, the oddsmakers have the Falcons 3 point favorites over the Buccaneers at Sportsbook.com

Now the Bucs come into this one with all 4 losses on the season coming on the road, and it won’t be easy this week against the Falcons, but its the last road game of the season for these guys. Now the Bucs offense didn’t play bad last week, as they got yet another solid performance from veteran quarterback Jeff Garcia, who threw for 321 yards and 2 scores, including 9 tosses to receiver Antonio Bryant who had 200 yards and 2 scores against the Panthers. Now the problem came in the running game, as Warrick Dunn and Cadillac Willams combined for just 71 yards and a score. Now 23 points is usually enough for this team to win football games with the way their defense plays, but it was not the normal Bucs defense that stepped out on the field last week.

The Buccaneers were simply out played on the defensive side of things, as the Panthers offense ran all over the Bucs in this one. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart combined for over 300 yards with 2 scores each, as Williams led the way with 186 yards rushing. Now the Bucs did grab two interceptions in this one, but still allowed Jake Delhomme to hook up with Steve Smith for 117 yards and a score. Now this week they better get their act together, as the Falcons and run and throw the ball just as good as the Panthers, and if the Bucs don’t learn to tackle better, they are going to lose two games in a row for the first time this season. Bet Tampa Bay Buccaneers +3 at Sportsbook.com

The Falcons come into this one losing a real close one with the Saints, as they nearly pulled off the huge road win last week. The Falcons offense did what it could in this one, as Matt Ryan threw for 315 yards and a score, while Roddy White continued his impressive season grabbing 10 balls for 164 yards, but was unable to find the endzone. The Falcons didn’t quite get the running game needed in this one, as Michael Turner had just 61 yards and a score on 18 carries, but many thought he would have a much better day against the Saints defense. This week they need Turner to break out with a big game at home, as a win over the Bucs make the playoffs nearly a sure thing for this group.

The Falcons defense didn’t quite have the same success against the Saints and the passing attack of Drew Brees, but it really shouldn’t come to no surprise with the way the teams in this division play at home compared to on the road. So even though the Saints got worked in their last game against the Bucs, we really feel like this is going to be a complete different story this time around. Last time the Falcons allowed the Bucs to run all over them, as they combined for 165 yard and 2 scores, and they will have to do a much better job against the run this week for the win. Bet Atlanta Falcons -3 at Sportsbook.com