Falcons – Buccaneers final score predictions

With a Thursday Night Football battle looming, how are we feeling about an Atlanta Falcons victory?

I’ll tell you how we’re feeling. The staff weighed in with score predictions (we welcome yours!), and you’ll find our optimistic-about-a-close-victory takes below.

Falcons 27, Buccaneers 24

Another stupidly close divisional matchup, filled with equal parts intrigue and frustration. I waffled on picking the Falcons in this one, but the Bucs are due for a letdown staggering around with as many injuries as they have and fresh off a big road win against the Eagles. On the road again, on a short week, and in primetime against an opponent with a lot of new faces, I think Tampa Bay will have a festive pumpkin of an effort from Baker Mayfield and enough struggles containing Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson to lose this one.

And yes, expect a Kirk Cousins interception that shouldn’t be, another week of Kyle Pitts question marks, a couple of long Bucky Irving runs against this defense that never should have happened, and a short pass to Rachaad White that goes for miles because of missed tackles. The Falcons love to play the hits, but we won’t complain that much at 3-2. —Dave Choate

Falcons 24, Buccaneers 23

A short week featuring two volatile teams with quarterbacks that have full confidence in their arms, regardless if a throwing window exists, is bound to be chaotic. Tampa Bay has been hugely impressive, particularly defensively with Todd Bowles elevating a unit filled with question marks. He will crank up his signature array of blitzes to disrupt Kirk Cousins’ rhythm. It’s going to be a challenge for Zac Robinson who has already squared off with one Super Bowl-winning defensive mastermind in Steve Spagnuolo. This is difficult to predict, but the Falcons have the more talented roster, and the quarterback less likely to make a catastrophic error. Falcons win another nailbiter as Jessie Bates gets the game-sealing interception. – Allen Strk

Falcons 31, Buccaneers 27

Going into Week 5, I think it’s pretty clear that the Buccaneers have been the better team. Tampa Bay is also inconsistent, pretty banged up, and dealing with the dreaded Thursday night road game. The stats are not kind in this situation: the Bucs have an uphill battle. Atlanta’s offense, which has been tantalizingly close to coming together over the past two weeks, will have to put forth their best effort of the year to keep pace with Tampa Bay. I think the Falcons manage it, as October Kirk arrives just in time to lift the Falcons over the Bucs in a shootout. —Kevin Knight

Falcons 27, Buccaneers 24

Division matchup with Atlanta coming off of a highly emotional victory on Sunday and at risk for a letdown just a few days later, and Tampa Bay having to travel for a Thursday night road game. Let’s get crazy. The Bucs have really impressed me thus far this season but they are going into a logistical disadvantage and with some big injuries on their roster. Atlanta’s offense has been underwhelming (putting it mildly) but even their Desmond Ridder/Arthur Smith led offense last season managed to move the ball almost at will against this same Bucs defense in both games (they just shot themselves in the foot at the end of drives). The defense needs to get some pressure on Baker Mayfield, who continues his renaissance, but I think the secondary (which has looked great) makes enough plays and Atlanta wins with another Younghoe Koo kick late. —Adnan Ikic

Falcons 27, Buccaneers 23

Can you believe this is the third Falcons primetime game of the year and that there’s more to go? Tampa Bay is coming to town, and the Falcons have a golden opportunity before them. With a win, Atlanta can take an early lead in the division and set themselves up to have a fruitful October.

Atlanta won’t have Troy Andersen, but the Buccaneers are dealing with many injuries of their own. Thursday Night Football is typically a chaotic product where you can get some of the best and worst football all in the same game. The Falcons’ offense will finally start to click as we get October Kirk Cousins, and I think Atlanta will outduel their division opponents. —Tre’Shon Diaz