Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 15 NFL Picks & Predictions 12/18/2017

Monday, December 18, 2017

Raymond James Stadium

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

Raymond James Stadium is the venue for the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, December 18, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Atlanta as 4.5 point favorites. The total has been set at 47.5. The Buccaneers are 3-9-1 against the spread and their over/under mark is 7-6-0. The Falcons are 6-7-0 ATS and their over/under record is 5-8-0.

Valuable Atlanta Falcons Betting Trends

The Atlanta Falcons are 5-8-0 against the over/under

The Atlanta Falcons are 6-7-0 against the spread

Important Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Trends

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 7-6-0 against the over/under

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 3-9-1 against the spread

Key Atlanta Falcons Injuries

12/10/17 G Andy Levitre Triceps is "?" Monday vs Tampa Bay
12/10/17 TE Eric Saubert Back is "?" Monday vs Tampa Bay
10/31/17 LB Jordan Tripp Concussion IR
10/03/17 DE Jack Crawford Biceps IR

Key Tampa Bay Buccaneers Injuries

12/11/17 DT Gerald McCoy Biceps is out indefinitely
12/10/17 S T.J. Ward Concussion is "?" Monday vs Atlanta
12/10/17 CB Josh Robinson Hamstring is "?" Monday vs Atlanta
12/10/17 CB Vernon Hargreaves Hamstring is "?" Monday vs Atlanta
12/10/17 DT Clinton McDonald Back is "?" Monday vs Atlanta
11/29/17 C Ali Marpet Undisclosed IR
11/29/17 T Demar Dotson Undisclosed IR
10/25/17 DE Noah Spence Shoulder IR
10/09/17 K Nick Folk Knee IR
09/05/17 DT Stevie Tu'ikolovatu Knee IR
09/01/17 DT DaVonte Lambert Wrist IR

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Atlanta Falcons have run for 1,519 yards as a unit, which ranks 11th in the league. They've run 349 times, averaging 4.4 yards per rush as a unit. The Falcons have been penalized on offense 79 times for 707 yards so far this year, which has them 24th in the NFL in penalties. They are 16th in the National Football League in points scored with 294. They have run 784 plays this year for 4,725 yards, which ranks them 9th in the NFL in total offense. The Falcons average 6 yards per play, which is 4th in the league. As a team they have accumulated a total of 271 1st downs this season, ranking them 8th overall as an offensive unit. Matt Ryan has completed 275 throws while attempting 417 passes for a completion percentage of 65.9%. He has passed for 3,278 yards this year. He averages 11.9 yards per completion and 7.9 yards per pass attempt. His quarterback rating this season is 92.4.

Defensive Statistics

The Falcons rush defense has given up 329 attempts for 1,408 yards this season, putting them in 12th place in the NFL against the run. They have had 88 penalties for 762 yards on defense this year. That places them 21st in the league. They've allowed a score on 37.7% of possessions on defense, which is 26th in the NFL. Atlanta is 9th in the NFL in points surrendered on defense with 261. They have given up a total of 4,158 yards on D, which is 7th in the league. The Falcons are 12th in yards per play allowed with 5.1. Their pass defense has allowed 5.6 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 5th in the National Football League. Opponent offenses have completed 300 throws on 456 attempts against the Atlanta Falcons defense this season, ranking them 28th and 24th in the league. The Atlanta pass defense has also surrendered a total of 2,750 yards in the air, which is 6th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Atlanta Falcons have tried 30 field goals this season and made 26, which is 10th in the league. Their kickers have a FG percentage of 86.7%. Atlanta Falcons kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 30 for 30 this season. Their punters have accumulated 1,751 yards on 39 punts, averaging 44.9 yards per punt. That ranks them 16th in the NFL in punting average. Atlanta is 31st in the NFL in punt returns with 18. They've totaled 134 punt return yards and are averaging 7.4 yards per return, which is 20th in the league. Their longest punt return this season is 27 yards. They have returned 33 kicks for 718 yards on special teams, placing them 5th in kick return yardage. The Falcons average 21.8 yards per kick return and have a long of 61 yards this season. They are 8th in the National Football League in all-purpose yards with 5,700.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 22nd in the NFL in points scored with 264. They have run 841 plays this season for 4,596 yards, which ranks them 12th in the league in total offense. The Buccaneers average 5.5 yards per play, which is 13th in the National Football League. As a team they have accumulated a total of 282 1st downs this year, placing them 4th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Tampa Bay has run for 1,190 yards as a team, which ranks 27th in the NFL. They've run 319 times, averaging 3.7 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Buccaneers have been penalized on offense 83 times for 655 yards so far this season, which has them 21st in the league in penalties. Jameis Winston has thrown for 2,475 yards this season. He has completed 206 passes on 329 attempts for a completion percentage of 62.6%. His quarterback rating this season is 89.7. He averages 7.5 yards per pass attempt and 12 yards per completion.

Defensive Statistics

Tampa Bay is 22nd in the league in points allowed on defense with 312. They have surrendered a total of 5,061 yards on D, which is 31st in the NFL. The Buccaneers are ranked 32nd in yards per play allowed with 6.1. Their pass defense has given up 7.5 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 32nd in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses have completed 316 passes on 462 attempts against the Tampa Bay defense this season, placing them 32nd and 25th in the National Football League. The Buccaneers pass defense has also given up a total of 3,589 yards through the air, which is 32nd overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has allowed 348 attempts for 1,472 yards this year, putting them in 17th place in the league against the run. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have committed 90 penalties for 789 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 23rd in the NFL. They've given up a score on 37.7% of possessions on defense, which is 27th in the league.

Special Teams Stats

Tampa Bay is ranked 32nd in the league in punt returns with 18. They've accumulated 162 punt return yards and average 9 yards per return, which is 15th in the NFL. Their longest punt return so far this year is 44 yards. They have returned 15 kicks for 321 yards on special teams, ranking 31st in kick return yardage. The Buccaneers average 21.4 yards per kick return and have a long of 50 yards this year. They are 19th in the league in all-purpose yards with 5,251. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have attempted 27 field goals this season and made 20, which is 20th in the National Football League. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 74.1%. Tampa Bay kickers have made 92% of their extra points, going 22 for 24 this year. Their punters have totaled 2,516 yards on 59 punts, averaging 42.6 yards per punt. That places them 31st in the NFL in punting average.

Who will win tonight's Falcons/Buccaneers NFL game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Buccaneers +4.5

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