The Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Jeff Garcia is out and QB Brian Griese is in for their home tilt against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday September 14, at Raymond James Stadium. NFL oddsmakers at SBGglobal.com have the Tampa Bay Bucs as -7 point home favorites over the Atlanta Falcons with the over/under listed at 37 ½ points. Get your NFL Picks Week 2 on Tampa Bay Bucs vs Atlanta Falcons in now at SBGglobal.com
The Bucs (0-1) lost their first game of the season to the Saints 20-24 in overtime. QB Garcia didn’t participate in the Bucs training camp or much of the preseason and it showed! He completed just 24 of 41 passes for 221 yards with one touchdown; he converted 2 of 12 third downs and ending the game with an interception. After the loss Garcia was told he was being benched for QB Brian Griese. Griese helped the Bucs to a 5-1 start in 2005 before a season-ending knee injury. He had success in the Bucs offense. He started 16 of 17 games he appeared in with Tampa Bay in 2004-05, passing for 3,768 yards, with 27 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. Their defense suffered a big injury to LB Derrick Brooks who injured his hamstring late in the second half; he’s started every game for the Bucs since 1995. Their defense managed to grab an interception, but also allowed three touchdowns on passes of at least 39 yards. The Bucs are 8-4 SU against Atlanta since 2002, which includes a season sweep last year, when Tampa Bay won the two games by a combined 68-10.
The Falcons (1-0) looked great during their home opening 34-21 win against Detroit. QB Matt Ryan, third overall pick out of Boston College in this year's draft, surprised everyone on his first attempt when he threw a 61 yard touchdown pass to WR Michael Jenkins. He would go on to complete 9 of 13 passes for 161 yards with one touchdown pass. Ryan’s job will get tougher against Tampa Bay's difficult Cover 2 scheme. Atlanta currently leads the NFL in rushing with 318 yards, thanks to RB Michael Turner who had 22 carries for 220 yards with two touchdowns. Their defense did well against the rush only giving up, a 5th ranked, 62 yards but they need to work on their pass defense after giving up, a 27th ranked, 246 yards.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Falcons are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games on grass.
- Falcons are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
- Falcons are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win.
- Falcons are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 road games.
- Buccaneers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
- Buccaneers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
- Buccaneers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 vs. NFC.
NFL Week 2 Picks: Tampa Bay Bucs vs Atlanta Falcons
When: Sun, Sept 14, 2008 4:05 PM ET
Line: SBGglobal.com
NFL Picks: Atlanta +7
Point-Spreads.com NFL Picks Week 2: Tampa Bay Bucs vs Atlanta Falcons Prediction – Atlanta +7
The Bottom Line: The Falcons have a new lease on life after their big win against Detroit. They have a running game again and a quarterback with an arm. The Bucs better hope QB Brian Griese does well. The Bucs might win, but Atlanta will cover. Get your Week 2 NFL Picks: Tampa Bay Bucs vs Atlanta Falcons in now at SBGglobal.com and receive a 30% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit!
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