Atlanta Falcons Attempt To Snap Two-Game Skid

NFL News - November 23rd, 2009 - Written by John

If common opponents are a good way to size up two teams, then an 11 1/2-point spread seems right for this weekend's meeting between the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

True, both teams lost to the division-leading New Orleans Saints and a loss is still a loss, but while the Falcons kept the game competitive right down to the wire, Josh Freeman made rookie mistakes leading the Bucs to a 38-7 blowout loss last Sunday. Atlanta has beaten Miami, Carolina and Washington, all teams who beat the Bucs.

The Falcons have been far more successful than Tampa Bay against common opponents, and they are an aforementioned 11 1/2-point favorite in the early lines on BetUS Sportsbook. The total for the game is 46.

The Atlanta Falcons will try and get Michael Turner back in the lineup for this one after he missed last week with a high ankle sprain. Although Jason Snelling was serviceable in his stead, rushing for 60 yards and two touchdowns, the team is clearly better with Turner at the helm, and will need him for a late push into the playoffs.

It is only Matt Ryan's second year so he kind of gets a pass here, but keep in mind that he has suddenly become prone to turnovers, coughing the ball up 10 times in the last six games, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Aqib Talib is third in the NFL with five interceptions. But Ryan was error free last week against the Giants, and threw for his second-highest total this year (268) on 46 attempts.

Tampa Bay is just now getting used to Freeman under center. In his first career start, he led a comeback against the Green Bay Packers for the team's first win of the year, but has since fallen back to earth. He almost led a comeback against the Dolphins, but turned the ball over four times against the Saints, and currently has a rating of.

Cadillac Williams leads the team in rushing with 450 yards, but the Bucs still have the 23rd-ranked rushing team after finally breaking the 1,000-yard mark last week.

At 5-5, the Falcons are still in the playoff hunt as a wild card, but several teams ahead of them play each other this weekend. That means keeping pace with a win will be critical for a team hoping for back-to-back playoff appearances despite losing four of the last five.