BucDad’s Bucs/Falcons Predictions

It’s the lovely time of the season again. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers(8-3) will be looking to carve up some Atlanta Falcons(5-6) for the second time this season. Quarterback Tom Brady will also be looking to show his children who their daddy still is. Brady, is undefeated against the dirty birds and don’t expect that to change today.

After torching the Falcons in Week 2, 48-25, the Bucs defense looks to continue to wreck havoc and the offense will need a fast start if they plan to continue their dominance. Brady, who threw for 276 yards and 5 touchdowns in that game, will be looking for similar results.

Keys for offense

If the Bucs are going to have any chance at winning on the road, they’re going to have to come out of the gates swinging and avoid their usual slow starts that have plagued them on the road this season. After last week’s 100 yard and 4 tuddys from Leonard Fournette, it’ll be interesting to see how the Bucs plan to utilize the ground game for the second week in a row. But, the one thing to keep an eye on is the air attack.

With the Bucs air attack in the first meeting being the catalyst, both Mike Evans and Rob Gronkowski, both found the endzone twice, while Chris Godwin also found the endzone once. All three will be looking to continue their performances with the push to capture the division is on.

Keys for defense

With a wild week for the Bucs defense after the news of safety Mike Edwards, who had 2 interceptions with one going for a touchdown, receiving a 3-game suspension and Jordan Whitehead out with a calf injury, the Bucs are fortunate to be getting Carlton Davis III back after being sidelined with a quad injury since the team’s Week 4 matchup against the New England Patriots. Jamel Dean will also be active, which will be the first time the team has had all three of their top corners back for the first time since Week 1.

If the Bucs are going to have a chance to contain the Falcons, they’re going to have to contain Cordarrelle Patterson and Calvin Ridley, who both found the endzone in the first matchup. Patterson, was the only Falcon with two touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving. The one sleeper will be rookie tightend, Kyle Pitts, who has the potential to change the game at any given moment. The key component for the Bucs defense will be their ability to generate a pass rush, with both Ndamukong Suh and Shaq Barrett both recording sacks.

Prediction

This has potential to be a sleeper game, but there is a reality that the Bucs could repeat their performance. Look for a score similar to the score from Week 2. My prediction is the Bucs will open the game up early and end up sweeping the Falcons with a score of 42-17.