Mike Evans of the Buccaneers pulls in a touchdown reception against the Falcons’ Robert Alford in Week 1. (Getty)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers welcome the league’s No. 1 offense for Thursday Night Football when they host the Atlanta Falcons in an NFC South tilt.
Game time is scheduled for 8:25 p.m. Eastern from the Raymond James Stadium and it will be televised by NFL Network.
The teams met in Week 1 and Tampa Bay pulled off a 31-24 victory in Atlanta.
Here’s a complete look at all the betting info you need to know, as well as a prediction of the Week 9 game:
Falcons vs. Buccaneers Week 9 Betting Info
Note: All odds and numbers courtesy of OddsShark.com and are updated as of November 3
Spread: Falcons (-4)
Betting Percentages: 69 percent for Falcons (-3.5)
Over/Under: 51
Betting Percentages: 68 percent on the OVER
Season Results: Falcons 5-3 straight up; 5-3 against the spread; 7-1 for the OVER — Buccaneers 3-4 straight up; 3-4 against the spread; 4-3 for the OVER
Prediction
These teams met in Week 1 at Atlanta, with Tampa Bay pulling off a 31-24 win. Jameis Winston threw 4 touchdown passes that day and the Buccaneers held the Falcons’ running game in check.
Atlanta then reeled off 4 consecutive wins and got its running attack on track with Devonta Freeman. The team averages 111 yards per game on the ground and Freeman should find some running lanes Thursday night against a vulnerable Bucs rush D.
We’re not sure what we’ll see from Tampa’s rush offense Thursday. The Bucs will be without their top 3 backs — Doug Martin, Jacquizz Rodgers and Charles Sims. The ball carriers will be veteran journeyman Antone Smith and rookie Peyton Barber. Atlanta’s been stingy vs. the rush, allowing only 93 yards per game.
This game is going to feature plenty of work from the right arms of Winston and NFL passing leader Matt Ryan. Neither team has been able to slow the pass in 2016. Expect Winston to look Mike Evans’ way often, as well as tight end Cameron Brate, who could give the Falcons’ defense problems. Speaking of giving defenses problems, Falcons All-Pro wideout Julio Jones will do just that. Mohamed Sanu scored in Week 1 vs. TB and is coming off a 9-catch, 84-yard, 1-TD performance in Week 8. If he can keep the momentum going, the Bucs’ secondary will be in trouble.
Atlanta allows 28.9 points per game, Tampa 27.0. So there’s a good chance we’re looking at a shootout here.
Both teams will do what they want in the passing game, but it will be Freeman and the Falcons’ running game that will be the difference in this one.
Atlanta avenges the Week 1 loss and pulls of its second consecutive W in a high-scoring affair.
And here are some trends to consider: 1) Falcons are 5-0 against the spread their past 5 road games; 2) Bucs are 0-5 ATS in their past 5 home games; 3) The OVER has won in 7 of Atlanta’s past 8; 4) the OVER has won in 7 of Tampa Bay’s last 10; and 5) Tampa has lost 5 straight games at home.
The Pick: Falcons 31, Buccaneers 24 (Falcons win straight up, Falcons cover the spread, the OVER wins)
