Falcons vs Buccaneers Predictions: Godwin can lead Tampa to NFC South win

Thursday Night Football sees the Atlanta Falcons host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (01:20 Friday, live on Sky Sports Main Event), as a potentially pivotal NFC South battle awaits us. 

The Buccaneers have been one of the early surprises of the young NFL season, sitting 3-1 after impressive wins over Washington, Detroit and Philadelphia. However, the Falcons have also had their own joy, defeating the Eagles and Saints in recent weeks.

Read on for my Falcons vs Buccaneers prediction, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

The Buccaneers were without as many as five of their squad for Tuesday practice, with defenders Antoine Winfield Jr, Calijah Kancey and SirVocea Dennis not participating, as well as receivers Jalen McMilland and Trey Palmer. Fellow receiver Mike Evans was back in limited practice, however.

As for the Falcons, linebacker Troy Andersen missed the second straight day of practice but running back Bijan Robinson was able to participate in the walkthroughs.

Falcons vs Buccaneers Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Falcons vs Buccaneers page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

Betfred have this match as a virtual pick-em, with the Falcons slight favourites on the moneyline at 5/6, giving them an implied win probability of 54.5%, with the Buccaneers priced up at even money.

The spread is currently set at -1.5 Atlanta, and it's 10/11 on both sides to cover the spread.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win @ 1/1

As the closeness of the odds suggest, this is a very, very difficult match to call and there's only one small deciding factor that got me over the line. Mr. Baker Reagan Mayfield.

The 29-year-old former Heisman Trophy winner was the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft but flattered to deceive in his time with the Cleveland Browns and after short spells in Carolina and LA, found himself trying to fill Tom Brady's shoes in Tampa Bay. His impressive first season led to a three-year $100m contract extension and he's paying off every dollar of that with a terrific start to 2024.

Mayfield has thrown for 984 yards this season including 8 TD's and whilst completing 70.5% of his passes. He has elite targets in Chris Godwin and Mike Evans and was outstanding against the Eagles, registering a 100+ passer rating.

New Falcons QB Kirk Cousins is also causing waves over in Atlanta but his offense isn't as mature as the Bucs at the moment and I think that will be the difference maker on Thursday night.

Chris Godwin 75+ receiving yards and score a touchdown @ 7/2

One of the reasons for Mayfield's excellent form is the recent performances of star receiver Chris Godwin. The 28-year-old former Nittany Lion has been with Tampa since his 2017 Draft but is hitting new heights in recent years and has overtaken Mike Evans as the Bucs go-to-guy on the offense.

He is third in the National Football League in receptions and is averaging over 80 yards a game to start the season, with three touchdowns to boot. This game could develop into a high-scoring shootout and that can only benefit Godwin, with this line looking achievable at a very healthy price.

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