Falcons vs. Buccaneers NFL Week 8 Prediction, Odds, Pick

The top two teams in the NFC South square off as the Atlanta Falcons visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It’s time to continue our NFL odds series with a Falcons-Buccaneers prediction and pick.

The Falcons enter the game sitting at 4-3 on the year. They started the season 1-2, but would then go on to win three straight games, including a two-point win over the Saints and a six-point win over the Buccaneers. Still, the last outing was a struggle. The Falcons would fall to the Seahawks 34-14. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers are also 4-3 on the year. They opened the season 3-1, but have since lost to the Falcons, beaten the Saints and fallen to the Ravens last time out. The Buccaneers lost more than the game last time out. Both Chris Godwin and Mike Evans missed out through injury.

Here are the Falcons-Buccaneers NFL odds, courtesy of FanDuel.

NFL odds: Falcons-Buccaneers odds

Atlanta Falcons: -2.5 (-110)

Money line: -142

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: +2.5 (-110)

Money line: +120

Over: 45.5 (-118)

Minus: 45.5 (-104)

How to watch Falcons vs Buccaneers

Time: 1:00 PM ET/ 10:00 AM PT

Television: FOX

Streaming: fuboTV (free trial)

Why the Hawks could cover the spread/win

The Falcons are 15th in the NFL in points per game while ranking seventh in yards per game this year. They rank 16th in rushing yards per game, while this year they rank fifth in passing yards per game. Kirk Cousins ​​is leading the way for the Falcons. He has completed 162 of 242 passes for 1,830 yards this year. He has ten touchdowns and seven interceptions this year.

The Falcons’ top target has been Drake London. London has made 44 receptions on 62 targets for 491 yards and five touchdowns. Also, Darnell Mooney has been great this year as well. He has 32 receptions this year for 414 yards and three touchdowns. Finally, Kyle Pitts has 25 receptions for 328 yards and a touchdown this year. In the run game, Bijan Robinson has led the way. He has run the ball 103 times for 483 yards and four touchdowns this year. Tyler Allgeier has also been solid this year. He has run the ball 56 times for 319 yards and a touchdown on the season.

The Falcons rank 22nd in the NFL in opponent points per game this year, while ranking 17th in opponent yards per game. They are 24th against the rush, but are 13th against the pass this year. The Falcons have had trouble getting to the quarterback this year. They have just six sacks on the year, with Grady Jarrett and Matthew Judon leading the way with just 1.5 sacks each. Jarrett has five tackles for loss, while Judon has two pass breakups.

Why the Buccaneers could cover the spread/win

The Buccaneers are fourth in the NFL in points per game this year, while ranking fifth in yards per game. They are eighth in rushing yards per game, while seventh in yards per game. Baker Mayfield leads the way for the Buccaneers offense. He has completed 70.5 percent of his passes this year for 1,859 yards. He also has 18 touchdown passes this year, while he has seven interceptions this year. He has been sacked 20 times this year. Mayfield also has two rushing touchdowns on the year.

Still, the receiving game could struggle in this one. Chris Godwin and Mike Evans will be out. With that, the offense is missing 76 receptions, 911 yards and 11 touchdowns. This also leaves Cade Otton as the main target. Otton has 27 receptions for 263 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, the leading receiver is Sterling Shepard. He has just eight receptions for 93 yards, while Jalen McMillan has six receptions for 74 yards. Both have a touchdown. In the run game, Bucky Irving leads the way. He has rushed for 351 yards and three scores. He also has 13 receptions for 124 yards. Finally, Rachaas White has 61 carries for 227 yards.

The Buccaneers rank 28th in the NFL in opponent points per game while ranking 31st in opponent yards per game. They are 19th against the rush while sitting 29th against the pass. LaVonte David leads the way. This year he has three sacks with four tackles for a loss, four pass breakups, an interception and two forced fumbles. Also, Zyon McCollum has been terrific, with ten pass breakups, two interceptions and a forced fumble.

Falcons-Buccaneers Final Pick and Prediction

The Falcons are the odds-on favorite in this midseason NFL matchup. The Falcons are just 3-4 against the spread this year, but 2-2 when favored. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers are 4-3 against the spread this year, but didn’t cover the last time they faced the Falcons. However, a lot has changed for the Buccaneers since the last game. His first two targets are off, and nearly half of his receiving yards on the season. Expect the Buccaneers to struggle on offense in this one. Take the Falcons.

Falcons-Buccaneers Final Pick and Prediction: Flacons -2.5 (-110)