NFL Week 13 Odds: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Getting 3 Points Against Atlanta Falcons

Larry French/Getty ImagesWith last Sunday’s 20-17 victory over Green Bay, the Atlanta Falcons have put themselves in position to earn home-field advantage in the postseason.At 9-2, the Falcons hold the best record in the NFC. They enter Sunday’s matchup with division rival Tampa Bay riding a five-game win streak.The Falcons are hoping that their win streak is a good omen. The last time Atlanta won five in a row was during its 1998 Super Bowl season. Home-field advantage would nfl jerseys
certainly go a long way toward helping Atlanta get back to the big game, considering it is 19-1 all-time at the Georgia Dome with Matt Ryan under center.With Chicago and New Orleans both breathing down Atlanta’s neck, the Falcons must take care of business when they head out on the road for three straight weeks. Both of Atlanta’s losses have come on the road.The second win in Atlanta’s current win streak came against the Bucs. Despite outgaining Tampa Bay 365-278 and dominating the time of possession, the Falcons had to stop the Bucs on fourth down from their own two in order to escape with a 27-21 win.While Atlanta has won the past four head-to-head meetings, the Buccaneers have won 12 of the last 17.NFL oddsmakers are expecting a tight game Sunday, listing the Falcons as a three-point favorite with the total set at 44.5.Tampa Bay (7-4) has made major strides since winning only three games last season, but it is yet to record a signature win. The Bucs haven’t defeated a team with a winning record here in the 2010 season. They have lost to the likes of New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Atlanta and Baltimore by a combined 63 points.The good news is Tampa Bay’s last two losses to winning teams have come by just six and seven points, respectively.Tampa Bay must find a way to take something away from Atlanta Sunday or it will be at its mercy.Atlanta boasts perhaps the most balanced offense in the league. Ryan, who Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
completed 24 of 28 passes for 198 yards and a score last week, has been playing out of his mind. The third-year signal-caller has completed 69.9 percent of his throws for 1,300 yards with 10 touchdown strikes and only one interception during Atlanta’s winning streak.Last week, Ryan posted a passer rating of over 100.0 for a third straight game. The Falcons are now 15-0 when Ryan’s quarterback rating is 100.0 or higher.Running back Michael Turner makes Ryan’s life a lot easier because he commands so much respect from opposing defenses. Turner went over the century mark for a fourth time in five games with a 110-yard rushing performance against Green Bay.He rushed for 107 yards and two scores in Atlanta’s first meeting with Tampa Bay.Turner could be poised for another big game considering how poor the Bucs have defended the run. Tampa Bay is surrendering 132.5 yards per game on the ground (27th in the NFL).It is worth noting that the Buccaneers are 1-10 against the number in their last 11 games as a home underdog.Tampa Bay has done an excellent job of hanging around this season by taking good care of the football. Two Josh Freeman interceptions, however, proved football jerseys
costly against the Falcons the first time around.Freeman has a chance to be the hero Sunday against an Atlanta defense that has struggled against the pass. The Falcons rank 27th in the NFL at 252.9 passing yards per game allowed.Tampa Bay enters Sunday’s contest having cashed five straight tickets for backers.Bet with confidence in Week 13 by playing the same plays as world champion handicapper Jimmy Boyd!