It's too early IMO to tell anything about either team. The Falcons lit up the Saints defense in Week 1, but then so did the Browns...whose offense looks better than just about anyone thought. Tampa Bay will easily be the weakest offense Atlanta's D has seen so far.
Then last week against a semi-legit contender, Atlanta just couldn't get anything going at all on offense. Tampa Bay's D is pretty good, too.
The Bucs are 0-2, but played two very good defenses in their first two games. Don't think the Birds qualify as one of those.
To summarize, Tampa Bay's offense can't score, and Atlanta's defense can't stop anyone...it's like the chicken and the egg question. This line is probably right where it should be. Don't see any obvious edge in either direction...but with a gun to my head, I'd take the Bucs simply because they're already fighting to avoid the 0-3 start that would derail their season. Think it's probably wiser to wait for a halftime play to get a better read on the game, IMO...
Tampa Bays Def line is in shambles right now and Atlanta will put 28-31 on them tonight IMO Atlanta should be back to being an almost autocover at home this year esp against div foes where they are 7-1 ats last 8 at home ,so if you take TB and their patchwork Def Line coupled with their weak offense I cant see TB covering Tonight Atlanta by 10-14 is what I have BOL
I would use the word DEFENSE.
The Bucs defense is "probably" better than the saints or bengals .... while the Atlanta defense is "probably" not as good as Carolina or Rams defense.
So i would figure tampa bay to score more than they have in the 1st two games , while figuring Atlanta to score less than they did against the Saints.
That should make it a very close game. ... i like the falcons strait up but will likely play the Bucs in a teaser. ...GL on the point spread.
The Bucs defense is "probably" better than the saints or bengals .... while the Atlanta defense is "probably" not as good as Carolina or Rams defense.
So i would figure tampa bay to score more than they have in the 1st two games , while figuring Atlanta to score less than they did against the Saints.
That should make it a very close game. ... i like the falcons strait up but will likely play the Bucs in a teaser. ...GL on the point spread.
Falcons are tough at Home (one of Top 5 Homefields in football, 17-2 Straight-Up as Home Chalk off a Loss in the Mike Smith era...........Bucs injuries on defense will only help along with High 1st Rounder Jake Matthews back in the lineup which will only give Matty Ice more protection.............That said, notice how Bucs backers are talking about taking points instead of moneyline which only proves they respect the Falcons homefield as well and hoping to sneak in a cover..........Argument for the Bucs to cover is a desparate team playing in a division game, but some injuries for them along with the Falcons Homefield should give Atlanta at least the Straight-Up win
My disclaimer is I'm wearing a Falcons Julio Jones jersey right now..............That said, Falcons usually show up at Home Chalk and here are the numbers in the Mike Smith era.
34-6 Straight-Up as Home Chalk, 23-16 ATS
27-2 Straight-Up as Home Chalk -3.5 or more, 17-11 ATS
14-1 Straight-Up as Home Chalk -3.5 or more and OFF a SU Loss, 9-5 ATS
5-1 Straight-Up at Home against the Bucs, but only 2-4 ATS (some hope for Bucs backers to sneak in the cover)
Falcons are 8-2 ATS at Home in Division Games when playing OFF a Loss
