The Atlanta Falcons are 7-1 straight up and 6-2 against the spread in their last eight games against NFC South rivals. The Falcons hope to keep that trend alive and to stay in the mix for a playoff spot in the crowded NFC with a win on Monday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Falcons vs. Buccaneers 2017 odds: Atlanta a road favorite for Monday night matchup
The Atlanta Falcons will try to improve their playoff chances with a road win over Tampa Bay on Monday as solid chalk at the sportsbooks.
Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images
Atlanta is a 6-point road favorite in Tampa Bay at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. The betting favorite is 21-3 SU in the last 24 games between these two teams and 7-2 ATS over the last nine.
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
When: Monday, December 18, 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Betting Line / Total: Atlanta -6 / 48.5 Points
Atlanta Falcons
In many seasons, the 8-5 SU and 6-7 ATS Falcons would be comfortably sitting in a playoff spot. But in a year where a 10-win team might be left on the outside looking in in the NFC, the margin for error is razor thin.
Atlanta held off New Orleans in a heated 20-17 battle last Sunday at home, improving to 4-1 SU and ATS over its last five games since going 1-4 SU and 0-5 ATS over its previous five games.
The Falcons have made for a good bet in primetime in recent seasons with a 10-2 ATS record in their last 12 games played at night.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jameis Winston threw two interceptions in Tampa Bay’s disappointing 24-21 loss to the Detroit Lions last Sunday, just one week removed from a 26-20 overtime loss at Green Bay. The Buccaneers are now 0-7 SU and 0-6-1 ATS in Winston’s last seven starts, though the blame hardly falls all on him as the team’s defense ranks second to last in the NFL allowing 389.3 yards per game.
Tampa Bay is 1-8-1 ATS in its last 10 games coming off a loss.
Monday night’s total is set at 48.5 points. The OVER is 3-0 in the last three games between Atlanta and Tampa Bay according to the OddsShark NFL Database.
All of the pressure is on Atlanta, sitting at +1400 on the Super Bowl 52 odds, in this one. In addition to needing the win more, the Falcons also must avoid looking ahead to what should be a tough rematch on the road against the New Orleans Saints next week.
Tampa Bay hasn’t shown many signs of life this season, but the chance to play spoiler at home against a division rival should bring out the team’s best effort.
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