DTM’s Thursday Night NFL Special | ATL at TB

Atlanta Falcons (5-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-4)

When: 8:25 PM ET, Thursday, November 3, 2016

Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

America’s Bookie Line: Tampa Bay +3.5 Total: 51

TV Coverage: NFL Network

By Dan Leach

Follow Dan on Twitter @DanLeach971

Two NFC South rivals get it going from the Bay on Thursday night with one of them needing a win to save their season. The Bucs come in at 3-5 and off a tough OT loss last week at home to the Raiders in a game marred by Oakland penalties that gave the Bucs a great chance to win which they couldn’t take advantage of. The Falcons come in one of the best teams in the NFC at 5-3 and off a big win over Green Bay last weekend.

Falcons QB Matt Ryan is having an MVP type season so far and the Atlanta offense can kill you in so many different ways. Tampa Bay on the other hand has had a ton of offensive problems, and this was supposed to be a breakout year for former overall #1 draft pick Jameis Winston. While he has had his moments this year, it has looked more like he has regressed from his best moments of his rookie campaign last season and now is pressing. The Bucs D though has been a saving grace and kept them in games late that otherwise would have been out of hand with the often offensive ineptitude.

The Bucs already beat Atlanta earlier this season at the Georgia Dome so revenge will be on the mind of the Dirty Birds as they travel down to South Florida for this one. I think Winston will be ready to have one of his best games of the season, but the problem is half of his offense is seemingly out to injury. This could get ugly early has Atlanta just has too many weapon on offense and even while their defense isn’t a great unit, it will be enough to slow down the injury riddles Bucs.

7 DTM Bagels and Locks on the Falcons (ATL -3.5)

Dan Leach was the world’s first human to live under the sea for more than 60 days, created what is now used as the International Olympic Flag, was the basis of Denzel Washington’s character Frank Lucas in “American Gangster”, Is often consulted on matters of national “Sports Security”, was the first human to interview Dracula, started the American Revolution on a dare, once sat in on drums with Led Zeppelin, and is a noted expert in the field of Time Travel.