Buccaneers vs. Falcons the place to look at: Kickoff time, NFL stay stream, unfold, odds, prediction

Two NFC South groups kick off Week 5 within the NFL, because the Atlanta Falcons host Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Each groups are coming off of victories, as Younghoe Koo hit a 58-yard game-winning discipline objective to down the New Orleans Saints, 26-24, whereas the Buccaneers blew out the Philadelphia Eagles, 33-16. 

The Buccaneers have received seven of the final 10 conferences in opposition to the Falcons, however Atlanta has a brand new quarterback in Kirk Cousins. This collection has additionally been extremely shut, as three of the final 4 conferences have been determined by six factors or fewer. The Falcons are taking part in of their third prime-time recreation in 5 weeks. The primary in opposition to the Eagles went effectively for Atlanta, whereas the second in opposition to the Kansas City Chiefs didn’t. 

These divisional matchups are all the time necessary. Particularly in a wide-open division just like the NFC South seems to be. Let’s break down this NFC South prime-time matchup. However first, this is how one can watch the sport. 

All NFL odds are by way of SportsLine Consensus.

The place to look at

Date: Thursday, Oct. 3 | Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Stream: Amazon Prime
Observe: CBS Sports App   
Odds: Falcons -1.5, O/U 43.5

Harm report

Buccaneers: T Luke Goedeke (concussion), DL Calijah Kancey (calf), WR Jalen McMillan (hamstring), WR Trey Palmer (concussion), S Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot) OUT 
Falcons: LB Troy Andersen (knee) OUT; RB Jase McClellan (sickness) QUESTIONABLE 

Goedeke is out regardless of being a restricted apply participant all week. Justin Skule, a six-year veteran, will make his fourth begin of the season and sixteenth begin of his profession. 

Andersen’s spot might be crammed by JD Bertrand, a rookie fifth-round choose who made 35 begins throughout his school profession at Notre Dame. 

When the Buccaneers have the ball

Establishing the run is necessary for any offense. Sadly for the Buccaneers, that is been a wrestle. Tampa Bay has the eighth-worst run offense within the NFL, averaging 96 speeding yards per recreation. The Buccaneers have not averaged 100 speeding yards per recreation in a season since 2016. Bucky Irving has been a breath of recent air, averaging 5.8 yards per carry, whereas Rachaad White is averaging 2.8 yards per rush this season, the bottom of any participant (min. 25 rushes). Meaning you possibly can count on the Bucs to make their offensive affect by the air.

Over his final 12 video games, Mayfield has thrown 25 touchdowns — probably the most of any participant within the NFL. In that span, he has a 9-3 document, is averaging 260.5 passing yards per recreation and has throw simply seven interceptions. Together with final week in opposition to the Eagles, Mayfield has recorded an NFL-high 5 video games with 300 passing yards and two passing touchdowns since Week 15 of final season (together with playoffs).

We all know what Mayfield’s WR1 is able to. Mike Evans has 97 profession receiving touchdowns — probably the most of any energetic participant. He has caught 11 touchdowns in opposition to the Falcons, which is tied for probably the most in opposition to any opponent in his profession. Evans had considered one of his greatest video games ever in opposition to the Falcons again in 2016, catching 11 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns. 

Whereas Evans is an omnipresent offensive menace, it is truly Chris Godwin who has been Mayfield’s high goal this 12 months.

In 4 video games this season, Godwin has caught 27 of 34 targets for 322 yards and three touchdowns. He’s at the moment tied for third within the NFL in receptions, ranks seventh in receiving yards and is tied for third in receiving touchdowns. This 12 months, Godwin is on tempo to place up career-highs in receptions (114) and receiving yards (1,368). He is considered one of simply three gamers to catch 25 passes and have 300 receiving yards this season, together with Malik Nabers of the New York Giants, and Nico Collins of the Houston Texans. 

Anticipate Mayfield to as soon as once more depend on his high 10 passing offense to maneuver the chains on Thursday night time, particularly contemplating the truth that the Falcons have not rushed the passer successfully. Atlanta has simply 4 sacks this season, which ranks final within the NFL. The truth is, there are 4 gamers who’ve recorded extra sacks by themselves than the Falcons this season.

When the Falcons have the ball

When Cousins took the job in Atlanta, he needed to be excited in regards to the weapons round him. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson are improbable in their very own rights, however with the Falcons, Cousins received two gifted operating backs in Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson, a sleeping large at tight finish in Kyle Pitts and a WR1 prepared to interrupt out in Drake London. 

By way of 4 weeks, it is truthful to say we’ve not precisely found the id of this Falcons offense. London will not be Atlanta’s main receiver. It is truly Darnell Mooney. Pitts is averaging simply 26.3 receiving yards per recreation, and did not make a single catch final week in opposition to the Saints. Robinson had simply seven rushes for 28 yards final week, which was tied for his second-fewest rushes in a recreation in his profession. Allgeier rushed eight occasions for 60 yards.

When the Falcons have the ball this week, concentrate on how new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson makes use of his weapons. You do not have to force-feed London the ball, however he is your greatest receiver who’s an rising perimeter menace. You do not have to force-feed Pitts touches, however he’s a reputable mismatch on offense. Robinson would not need to go for 100 yards each week, however he is an elite dual-threat weapon. 

One thing else to look out for is the Falcons being in one more shut recreation. All 4 of their video games this season have been determined by one possession. In Week 1 vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cousins threw an interception down 5 factors with beneath three minutes remaining within the recreation. In Week 2, Cousins led that epic game-winning drive in Philly. In Week 3, Robinson was stuffed on fourth-and-inches with lower than a minute left. Final week, Koo hit a game-winning kick. 

• The Buccaneers are 3-1 in opposition to the unfold in 2024, whereas the Falcons are 1-3 in opposition to the unfold
• The Buccaneers are 3-13 ATS of their final 16 prime-time video games
• The Buccaneers are 3-8 SU, 2-9 ATS of their final 11 Thursday video games
• Kirk Cousins is 1-9 ATS in his previous 10 house begins, together with playoffs (0-3 ATS at house this season)
• The Beneath has hit in 13 straight Falcons prime-time video games. It is the longest streak by any workforce since 2000

Prediction

Anticipate an in depth recreation, however the Buccaneers have received three of their final 4 highway video games in opposition to NFC South opponents. Whereas Tampa Bay will not be formidable on the bottom, the Falcons are tied in having the seventh-worst run protection. Then, they are not attending to the quarterback within the passing recreation. The Buccaneers protection must account for all of Atlanta’s choices on offense, however I am going to lean in direction of the highway underdog. 

Projected rating: Buccaneers (+1.5) 21-20 over Falcons

Bonus: Larry Hartstein, who’s on a 49-25-2 ATS roll on Falcons video games, has launched his greatest bets for the Week 5 NFC South recreation in opposition to the Buccaneers. Hartstein is leaning the Over complete however who’s he backing to cowl? Discover out right here at SportsLine.