Pete Prisco doesn’t see the Falcons walking out of Tampa Bay with a win.
The CBS Sports analyst is expecting the Buccaneers to slow down Bijan Robinson and make life tough on the Atlanta ground game in a six-point home victory. His pick comes with the NFC South suddenly looking a little more interesting after Tampa Bay beat Carolina last week and Atlanta knocked off San Francisco.
“This is suddenly a big game in the NFC South with the Bucs upsetting Carolina last week and the Falcons upsetting the 49ers. The Tampa Bay running game has come alive, but Atlanta is stingy on the ground, giving up 3.8 per rush.
That will mean this is a Baker Mayfield game. Tampa Bay gives up 3.5 per rush, which might make for tough going for Bijan Robinson.
That's a problem for the Atlanta offense. Tampa Bay wins it.
Pick: Bucs 23, Falcons 17"
There’s no question Tampa Bay brings a strong run defense into the matchup. The Buccaneers rank second in the league entering Week 8, allowing just 77.3 rushing yards per game.
Still, the Falcons have already shown they can win even when Robinson doesn’t take over the box score. San Francisco held him to a little more than three yards per carry last week, but it didn’t stop Atlanta from rolling.
Michael Penix Jr. was efficient and decisive, throwing three touchdowns with no interceptions for the second straight game. For the season, he has nine touchdown passes and only one interception.
That’s why the Falcons look more dangerous than a one-dimensional attack. With Penix delivering and the defense creating chances, Atlanta is making itself harder to beat even when opposing teams load up to stop the run.
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