Falcons vs. Buccaneers Prediction Tonight: Thursday Night Football Best Bets Week 15

Week 15 kicks off with Thursday Night Football from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. (8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video), and my Falcons vs. Buccaneers prediction expect a bounce-back game from the division leaders. 

The Buccaneers, the 4 or 4.5-point betting favorite, have seen their lead atop the NFC South evaporate. Holding on to first place over the Carolina Panthers due to a tiebreaker advantage, the onus is on the home team to recapture its early-season form. The analysis below is part of the NFL predictions for Week 15. 

Early Falcons vs. Buccaneers prediction & betting preview

Stay ahead with the rest of our early NFL picks for Week 15.

Buccaneers -4.5 (-115) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Two teams enduring extended and precipitous slides meet on TNF, with the 7-6 Buccaneers still holding on to a share of first place in the NFC South with the Carolina Panthers. The Buccaneers have lost four of the previous five games and have struggled mightily at Raymond James Stadium, sporting a 1-5 ATS record. 

While that doesn't inspire much confidence, they are playing a team ensnared in an even more severe downward spiral. The Falcons have lost seven of the last eight games, four of which by at least six points.

Kirk Cousins is 1-3 in games he has started, but should also be credited for the home loss to Carolina when he relieved the injured Michael Penix Jr. in the third quarter with the Falcons still leading. 

Baker Mayfield and Co. didn't cover themselves in glory in Week 14, losing 24-20 to the bottom feeders of the division, the New Orleans Saints.

While it was an incredibly sloppy game, the Buccaneers had plenty of chances to win, with rookie Emeka Egbuka dropping what would have been a game-tying TD midway through the fourth quarter.  

With so much on the line for the Buccaneers, I expect a bounce-back performance. DraftKings -115 odds imply a 53.49% probability, and a winning $10 bet will profit $8.70. 

Live Falcons vs. Buccaneers odds: Week 15

See the latest NFL odds for every game in Week 15.

Falcons vs. Buccaneers opening odds

• Moneyline: Falcons +180 | Buccaneers -220
• Spread: Falcons +5.5 (-115) | Buccaneers -5.5 (-105)
• Over/Under: Over 44.5 (-110) | Under 44.4 (-110)

Falcons vs. Buccaneers line movement

Most of the best sports betting sites have the Buccaneers as the 4.5-point betting favorite, while bet365 has them pegged at -4. The odds at -4.5 range from -105 to -110. It looks as though that is where the line will stay in the lead-up to kickoff. 

Falcons vs. Buccaneers trends & betting notes: TNF

• Atlanta is 3-3 ATS on the road and 1-1 with Cousins under center in away games
• The Buccaneers are 1-5 ATS and 3-3 straight up at home
• The Falcons have won four of the previous six meetings with Tampa Bay
• Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs did not play in Week 14 against the Saints. His status for TNF is unknown

How to watch Falcons vs. Buccaneers: Thursday Night Football

• Date: Thursday, Dec. 11
• Kickoff: 8:20 p.m. ET
• Location: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Fla.)
• TV: Prime Video

💡 NFL Week 15 game picks

• Falcons vs. Buccaneers
• Bills vs. Patriots
• Vikings vs. Cowboys
• Dolphins vs. Steelers