TAMPA BAY @ ATLANTA (ATL -1.5, 43.5)
NFL ODDS, NFL PREDICTIONS, NFL PREVIEWS
BUCCANEERS @ FALCONS 10/3/24
In a crucial early-season game on Thursday, the host Atlanta Falcons (2-2) and the rival Tampa Bay (3-1) Buccaneers will compete for first place in the NFC South. The winner will own the top spot in the division. This will be the 62nd meeting between the two teams. Tampa Bay leads the series 31-30.
Tampa Bay has won six of the previous eight meetings. The Bucs are looking to extend their lead in the NFC South in an attempt to win the division for the fourth time in a row. In Week 3, the Bucs lost 26-7 at home to the Denver Broncos. Last week, the Buccaneers defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 33-16. Mike Evans had his finest performance of the year, hauling in eight passes for 94 yards and a touchdown, while Baker Mayfield passed for 347 yards and two touchdowns.
One of the "new guys" on the Atlanta roster is quarterback Kirk Cousins. Last season while playing for the Minnesota Vikings, Cousins passed for 344 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Bowles and Tampa Bay. Bowles knows exactly what to expect from Cousins and the Falcons.
Cousins isn’t the only Falcon that Bowles is familiar with. Atlanta first-year head coach Raheem Morris has given the Falcons sideline a makeover. Bowles knows exactly what to expect from a team led by Morris. That’s because Morris grew up in the next town over from Bowles in New Jersey.
Morris will have numerous connections to his opponent on Thursday in addition to being reunited with his counterpart from New Jersey. Morris worked for Tampa Bay as a defensive assistant from 2002 to 2005, then again in 2007 and 2008. From 2009 to 2011, he led the Buccaneers to a 17-31 record as their head coach.
Morris was the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams prior to being hired by Atlanta, where Mayfield had a career-reviving 2022 season. Morris has a ton of respect for the Bucs signal caller. Atlanta recently defeated the New Orleans Saints 26–24. With two seconds remaining, Younghoe Koo hit the game-winning 58-yard field goal. The Falcons are currently playing three straight games against teams in their division. Next week, they head to Carolina.
All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot), defensive tackle Calijah Kancey (calf), right tackle Luke Goedeke (concussion), and wide receivers Jalen McMillan (hamstring) and Trey Palmer (concussion) were all sidelined by the Bucs on Wednesday. Wide receiver Mike Evans (knee/calf), offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee), and defensive lineman William Gholston (knee) were all limited in their participation on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, Tampa Bay DT Vita Vea (knee), who was limited on Monday and Tuesday, was a full participant in practice. Linebacker SirVocea Dennis (shoulder) will go on injured reserve, according to Bowles.
Due to a knee injury, Atlanta linebacker Troy Andersen was unable to practice on Monday or Tuesday. With 10 tackles, he led Atlanta, and on Sunday against New Orleans, he recorded a pick-six.
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FREE PICK: KIRK COUSINS 225+ PASSING YARDS
Cousins has played some tough competition - Saints and Chiefs the last two weeks - and he has cleared this prop in each of his last three games. The Bucs have some injuries on the defensive side of the ball and that gives Cousins an advantage. It’s also an advantage playing indoors at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Cousins has actually cleared this prop in 9 of his last 12 starts, dating back to last year. With the injuries to the Bucs defense, expect Cousins to take advantage and get his 30 to 35 attempts. At a career 7.6 yards per attempt, 29 attempts puts Cousins Over this prop.