This Week 2 NFC South showdown pits a pair of teams whose seasons got off to drastically different starts. After looking lifeless in a blowout loss at home, the Atlanta Falcons will look to turn around their fortunes on Sunday. Doing so won’t be easy as they travel to take on the reigning Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Although the champs kicked off their 2021 campaign with a win, they failed to cover as NFL betting favorites. Will a similar outcome arise in this Falcons vs Buccaneers NFL betting showdown?
The following Falcons vs Buccaneers NFL betting preview will give you the current odds, betting trends, stream and picks for the Week 2 matchup.
🏈 Check out the FlurrySports NFL Power Rankings following all of the Week 1 action!
Falcons vs Buccaneers Week 2 NFL Betting Preview
NFL Regular Season — Week 2 Game
Atlanta Falcons (0-1, 0-0 Away) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0, 1-0 Home)
Date: Sunday, Sep. 19, 2021
Time: 4:05 p.m. EST
Venue: Raymond James Stadium — Tampa, FL
Coverage: Click here for the stream
Atlanta Falcons Preview
It was a brutal performance all around for the Falcons in their season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The defense buckled in the second half, failing to slow down an Eagles offense that came into the game with several question marks. On the other side of the ball, Matt Ryan looked absolutely washed at QB. His average air yards per target were reminiscent of Drew Brees last year in what turned out to be his final NFL season. The Falcons never found the end zone and were down by double digits at halftime despite being NFL betting favorites.
The final box score saw Ryan finish with just 165 yards passing in the loss. It was a disappointing debut for rookie tight-end Kyle Pitts. Calvin Ridley was the Falcons’ leading receiver on the day, but he finished with just five catches for 51 yards. The running game failed to materialize for Atlanta as well. Perhaps the lone positive was that the defense held up to some extent. Despite the abysmal offensive output, the Falcons were only down nine at halftime.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Preview
The NFL Kickoff Game turned into an offensive onslaught with the Buccaneers getting the better of the Dallas Cowboys. Looking back on the game, it was somewhat misleading that the Cowboys covered the NFL betting spread and made it as close as they did. The Bucs coughed up numerous turnovers, yet still managed to rally late for a winning field goal. The real concern after this game might be the Tampa Bay defense. While turnovers certainly didn’t help, not many people expected one of the NFL’s top units to surrender 29 points on opening night.
What doesn’t appear to be of concern is the playing abilities of quarterback Tom Brady. Even at the ripe age of 44, Brady still has what it takes. He finished with an impressive line of 379 yards passing and four touchdowns. Neither of the two interceptions he threw was his fault by any stretch. Two Bucs receivers topped 100 yards in the opener. Antonio Brown (121) and Chris Godwin (105) each caught a touchdown pass. Meanwhile, tight end Rob Gronkowski found the end zone twice as part of a 90-yard effort.
Falcons vs Buccaneers Odds and Spread
NFL betting odds for Falcons vs Buccaneers are taken from FanDuel Sportsbook.
Moneyline: ATL: (+520) | TB: (-720)
Spread: ATL: +11.5 (-108) | TB: -11.5 (-111)
Total: 51.5 — Over: (-115) | Under: (-105)
Public (Spread) Betting Percentages via oddsFire: ATL: (33%) | TB: (67%)
Falcons vs Buccaneers NFL Betting Trends
- The Falcons are 0-1 ATS and 0-1 to the over this season.
- The Buccaneers are 0-1 ATS and 1-0 to the over this season.
- Buccaneers are 5-0 SU in their last five games.
- The total has gone under in four of the Falcons’ last five road games.
- The total has gone over in each of the last five Falcons vs Buccaneers head-to-head matchups.
Falcons vs Buccaneers Stats
- Atlanta is averaging 6.0 points per game (PPG) this season (No. 31 in the NFL).
- Atlanta is surrendering 32.0 PPG this season (No. 24 in the NFL).
- Tampa Bay is averaging 31.0 PPG this season (No. 10 in the NFL).
- Tampa Bay is surrendering 29.0 PPG this season (Tied for No. 21 in the NFL).
Falcons vs Buccaneers Prediction
The Falcons vs Buccaneers NFL betting prediction uses the NumberFire Picks tool.
Falcons +12.5: 52.5%
Buccaneers -12.5: 47.5%
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