Looking ahead to the NFL Week 9 schedule, there are plenty of good games for fans to watch. That starts on Thursday evening when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Atlanta Falcons in an NFC South rivalry.
Atlanta is coming off of a huge win at home over the Green Bay Packers and will come out looking to prove a point. They want to show that they should be considered a serious contender in the NFC. Matt Ryan has received a lot of criticism throughout his career and is hoping to put an end to that criticism with a Super Bowl appearance this season.
Tampa Bay has not had the kind of season that most expected them to. They hold a 3-4 record on the season and are 0-3 at home. Jameis Winston has to figure out a way to get his team back on track if he wants to lead them to the playoffs.
. @Packers CB Micah Hyde on Julio Jones: “Every night before you go to bed, you’ve got to pray.” #NFL https://t.co/P0Mdxb8nfp pic.twitter.com/pc6u3lnrSn
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) October 27, 2016
On paper, the Falcons should be able to head into Tampa Bay and come away with a win to improve to 6-3 on the season. That being said, the Buccaneers are not a team to bet against. Winston vs. Ryan is going to be an entertaining quarterback battle to watch and this game has the potential to be high-scoring.
What bold predictions can be made for this NFL Week 9 matchup between the Buccaneers and Falcons?
Jameis Winston Breaks Out with a Huge Performance
As Aaron Rodgers showed last week against the Atlanta defense, the Falcons do not have a great pass defense. Jameis Winston will exploit that weakness and come through with a big game this week. He will throw for at least 300 yards and three touchdowns in the game.
Julio Jones Gets Back on Track After a Rough Week 8
Julio Jones didn’t make much of an impact against Green Bay in Week 8, catching just three passes for 29 yards. He seemed to be bothered by a leg injury all game long but will bounce back this week against Tampa Bay. Jones will rack up at least 100 receiving yards and will catch a touchdown as well.
#Bucs have NFL-best turnover ratio since Week 5 + other notable numbers after Sunday’s game.
READ Stat Shots: https://t.co/5f6GK4QJ7Q pic.twitter.com/FOnuCycU1o
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) October 31, 2016
Tampa Bay Will Force at Least Three Turnovers
Tampa Bay’s defense has to figure out a way to slow down the Falcons. That is exactly what they will do by forcing three turnovers. Matt Ryan will throw a couple interceptions and the Buccaneers will force a fumble to reach that number.
Matt Ryan Overcomes Turnovers for 350 Yards, Four Touchdowns
Even though we are predicting Matt Ryan to throw a couple interceptions, he will still have a huge game. Ryan will throw for at least 350 yards and four touchdowns. Atlanta has 100 percent faith in their franchise quarterback, and he will not let them down this week against the Buccaneers.
QB Matt Ryan just went DEEP to WR Taylor Gabriel for a 47-yard touchdown. #GBvsATL #RiseUp https://t.co/HEsOrO8nkv
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 30, 2016
Atlanta Comes Through with a Fairly Dominant Victory
There is no question that the Atlanta Falcons are the better football team in this matchup. Tampa Bay is going to bring everything they can, but the Falcons will win in fairly dominant fashion. Atlanta will improve to 6-3 on the season with the win, while the Buccaneers will fall to 3-5.
Expect to see the Falcons come out and take control from the opening kickoff. They will be playing with a lot of confidence following their win over the Packers and the Buccaneers just won’t have a response. Winston will put up big numbers and Tampa Bay will score some points, but it won’t be enough.
Do you think the Atlanta Falcons or Tampa Bay Buccaneers will come away with a win this week? What are your final score predictions for the game? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!
[Featured Image by Rainier Ehrhardt/AP Images]
