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Week 15 Buccaneers vs. Falcons NFL Predictions

Two teams who are now fighting for a playoff spot will tangle on Sunday when the Atlanta Falcons play host to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 1 PM ET at the Georgia Dome. We preview and pick this week 15 game…

Sports Betting Tampa Bay @ Atlanta

Two teams who are now fighting for a playoff spot will tangle on Sunday in a critical NFC South matchup when the Cinderella story Atlanta Falcons (8-5 SU & ATS) play host to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-4 SU, 7-6 ATS) in NFL pro football sports betting action that is slated to kick off at 1 PM ET at the Georgia Dome (artificial turf) in Atlanta.  

In the BetUS NFL football betting odds, the Falcons are listed as a three-point favorite, with a posted total of 44.5 points.

BetUS NFL wagering odds: ATLANTA -3, Total 44.5

NOTABLE STAT: Falcons are averaging 146.8 rushing yards per game (2nd in NFL)
KEY NFL FOOTBALL BETTING TREND: Atlanta is 6-1 SU & ATS in last seven at home

Here are some NFL football betting trends as they relate to this matchup:

* TB has covered two of its last seven games
* TB has won four of its last five games SU
* TB has played six of its last nine games UNDER the total
* TB has covered three of its last nine road games
* TB has lost 17 of its last 24 road games SU
* TB has played nine of its last 11 road games OVER the total
* ATL has won and covered four of its last six games
* ATL has won and covered six of its last seven home games
* ATL has played eight of its last ten home games OVER the total

Also…

* TB has covered 11 of the last 16 meetings
* TB has won six of the last eight meetings SU
* Fourteen of the last 21 meetings have gone OVER the total
* TB has won and covered six of the last eight meetings as the road team
* Eight of the last 11 meetings in Atlanta have gone OVER the total

Matt Ryan had a devil of a time in the first go-around against Tampa Bay, completing just 13 of 33 passes with two INT’s as he was somewhat befuddled by all the wrinkles Bucs’ defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin was throwing his way. Of course, Ryan has performed almost flawlessly at home this season, throwing just one interception in 144 attempts and hitting 66.7% of his passes. In his last five games he’s been taking more shots down the field, with 9.2 yards per attempt. If he stretches the Bucks defense out, it could become a long day for this Tampa Bay defense which was gored for 299 yards on the ground by Carolina on Monday night. With Michael Turner having a break out year, Tampa will have to find the holes if they don’t want to be victimized by another strong rushing attack..

It’s not the “Thunder & Lightning” combo that Mike Smith envisioned at the season’s start, as Jerious Norwood’s only had 82 yards in his last five games, but “Thunder” is probably enough. Michael Turner (1269 yards, 14 TD’s) is having an MVP type season and will be looking to avenge his season low of 42 yards against the Bucs in the previous meeting between these two.

The dominance of Tampa Bay in the three most recent meetings between these two has led to some lopsided scores. The Bucs have outscored the Falcons to the tune of 91-19 during this stretch, mainly in part to Tampa Bay’s rushing attack as their backs carried for over 500 yards. Despite the fact that Atlanta has gone 5-1, both straight-up and against the points at home this season and Ryan is unquestionably much more prepared to deal with Kiffin’s defensive schemes, we can’t write the Bucs off. Atlanta has had an awful time stopping opposing running attacks, giving up 4.9 yards a carry and although Smith and his staff have crossed many bridges this season, Jon Gruden and his team are still more experienced in these “critical” game situations.

It’s not a bad bet that Kiffin will devise something to throw Ryan off-balance, and keep Turner under wraps, at least to an extent. We’re comfortable taking some points in this game, so we’ll grab a field goal with Tampa Bay, the underdog in the BetUS NFL pro football sports betting odds.

Our PLAY: TAMPA BAY +3 **