NFL Week 15 Picks: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons Predictions

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons Predictions

• The Buccaneers rank sixth in red-zone conversions and points scored in 2020
• The Atlanta Falcons rank 28th in yards allowed and 29th in red-zone conversion percentage allowed

Welcome to the “get right” part of the Buccaneers schedule. After a tough few week, the Bucaneers finish with two games against the Falcons and one against the Lions. All three provide an opportunity for this offense to get rolling down the stretch.

The Buccaneers offense has been fine in recent weeks without excelling. They have averaged 24.7 points per game in that timeframe, but their offensive output has been variable. Turnovers have also been costly, as the Buccaneers have lost four of the five games in which they turned the ball over twice or more.

The best way to describe the Buccaneers offense is “fine”. They rank 11th in yards per play, 17th in total yards, sixth in points scored, 16th in net passing yards per attempt and 19th in rushing yards per attempt. Nothing they do stands out, but equally, nothing is overly concerning.

The Falcons defense has improved over recent weeks, but they have not faced any offenses that are expected to blow teams away. While the Falcons have a habit of finish seasons strongly in terms of performances, this is another lost season with an exceptionally tough finish. The Falcons defense is facing a three week stretch of Brady, Mahomes, Brady at the QB position.

Offensively the Falcons have got over 300 yards in each of their last three games, but nothing offensively has stood out. The Buccaneers defense is a top-10 unit in most elements and they should be able to handle this Falcons offense.

This game should be fairly routine for Tom Brady. The Falcons pass rush is fine but it shouldn’t cause him too much discomfort. Tampa Bay have been far from impressive in recent weeks, but they should have a good chance to win and cover against the Falcons. I am taking the Buccaneers -6, and also taking this game down to a pick ‘em as part of a teaser.

In terms of the total, I am going to avoid it. These two teams could combine for 55-60 points easily if things click. However, this could also be an ugly game that ends with between 40-50 points being scored. The game being played in a dome does mean we could see some scoring, but the risk of one or both of these offenses just not showing up is too high to take the risk.

NFL Expert Picks

1u – Tampa Bay Buccaneers -6 @ -105

NFL Free Picks

What a Week 15 we have in store. It's not a blockbuster week for the traditional primetime slots. Thursday Night Football gives us the Chargers at Raiders, Sunday Night Football is Browns at Giants and Monday Night Football sees the Steelers travelling into Cincy to face the Bengals. While those games may not be fantastic the fact we have two Saturday games. First up is Bills at Bengals, followed by Panthers at Packers. Outside of those games we have some interesting clashes elsewhere. The Seahawks enter Washington as favorites but it'll be a tough ask against a defense who are really coming into form. The Eagles are giving Jalen Hurts another chance to perform against the Cardinals in a battle between two former Sooners quarterbacks. We also have the Chiefs against the Saints. It's going to be a fun week of football.

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