The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons will square off on Thursday night in what is a crucial showdown.
While the Falcons have nothing to play for after being eliminated from playoff contention, the Buccaneers are in a very different boat.
The Bucs are locked in a tight race for the NFC South with the Carolina Panthers. Tampa Bay goes into Thursday night in first place in the division, but a loss and Panthers win on Sunday would send them to second place.
That scenario would also mean the Bucs will be thrust into the NFC wild-card race, where they would be multiple games out of the final spot in the conference. The Bucs can avoid that situation for now with a win over the Falcons.
With just hours to go before kickoff, here's who experts are predicting will win this NFC South matchup between the Buccaneers and Falcons.
Bucs vs. Falcons expert picks, predictions
- Matt Bowen: Bucs
- Mike Clay: Bucs
- Dan Graziano: Bucs
- Kalyn Kahler: Bucs
- Pamela Maldonado: Bucs
- Eric Moody: Bucs
- Lindsey Thiry: Bucs
- Seth Wickersham: Bucs
- Clare Brennan: Buccaneers
- Mitch Goldich: Buccaneers
- Gilberto Manzano: Buccaneers
- Conor Orr: Falcons
- John Pluym: Buccaneers
- Matt Verderame: Buccaneers
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Bucs 27, Falcons 20
Prisco: "The Bucs are having issues on offense the past month, but they are still in first place. The Falcons are just waiting for the season to end. Baker Mayfield hasn't looked right the past month, but that will change here. He will play better and the Bucs will get a much-needed victory in front of the prime-time audience."
Vinnie Iyer, AllSportsPeople: Bucs 27, Falcons 20
Iyer: "The Falcons are facing an injury-riddled freefall for their offense and after an OK start, Raheem Morris' defense is getting destroyed The Bucs will rebound well from their slogging loss to the Saints at home with possible extra help for Baker Mayfield and Bucky Irving. They just need to contain Bijan Robinson from big runs."
Bill Bender, AllSportsPeople: Bucs 27, Falcons 20
Bender: "Will the Buccaneers lose three straight home games? Baker Mayfield has a 55.2% completion percentage in two games since suffering a shoulder injury, but the Falcons have allowed 32 points per game in their last two losses. It's the get-well game Tampa Bay needs."
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