2011 NFL Predictions Week 3: If there was one game this week that I would want to bet on, it would be the matchup between the (1-1-0) Atlanta Falcons [+1½] and the (1-1-0) Tampa Bay Buccaneers [-1½]. This game is scheduled to kickoff Sunday at 4:20 PM ET from Raymond James Stadium on the Florida Bay. According to 2011 NFL Predictions Week 3 experts, the OVER/UNDER between the Falcons and the Bucs is set at a combined total of 45½ points scored.
My 2011 NFL Predictions Week 3 for the Falcons vs. Buccaneers: this is by far the best betting opportunity this week. Coming off a great win over the Eagles, the Falcons are right where they want to be going into Week 3.
With the hosting Bucs listed as the NFL Point Spreads favorites to win this game, betting on the Falcons is a steal! Matt Ryan is coming off a 17-for-28 performance for 195 yards, with a career-high, 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. The Falcons got a great lift from their running game, as Michael Turner rushed for a game-high, 114 yards on 21 carried and a TD.
The Falcons effort was enough to upstage Michael Vick’s return to Atlanta. Vick left the game with a concussion and did not return.
“It was a wild one, for sure, but we hung in there,” Ryan said. “I think everybody hung in there and kept making plays, kept battling. Credit to guys on both sides of the ball — we never gave up.”
The Buccaneers are also coming off a victory last week. Tampa Bay defeated the lowly Minnesota Vikings 24-20, despite Adrian Peterson rushing for a game-high 120 yards and 2 TDs. Bucs third-year quarterback Josh Freeman led the charge offensively, completing 22 of his 31 passes for 243 yards and a score.
Second-year running back LeGarrette Blount made his prescence felt, rushing for 71 yards on 13 carried and 2 key TDs.
“We just came together and collectively said, ‘This is not how we play football. Let's go out and do what we do best,’” Freeman said.
