NFL Thursday: Slumping Tampa Bay in playoff fight, needs a win vs. Atlanta. Our pick
GREG COTE’S NFL WEEK 15 THURSDAY PICK
FALCONS (4-9) at BUCCANEERS (7-6)
Line: TB by 4 1/2.
Cote’s pick: TB, 24-21.
TV: 8:15 p.m., Prime Video.
Among this year’s many NFL mysteries: Who is Tampa Bay? Is it the Buccaneers who were sailing at 5-1 and 6-2 ... or the team that has withered since? With that reverse gear caused by Baker Mayfield’s struggles and bad red-zone defense, TB now finds itself in an NFC South mutt-fight with Carolina in a winner-take-all division that likely won’t see the runner-up with a wild-card spot. Mayfield’s downturn will face another challenge in a blitz-heavy Falcs D that’s third in league in sacks. All of it puts newly eliminated Atlanta in a perfect spoiler role and suited for it, especially if WR Drake London is back as seems expected. Falcons lost season opener to Bucs 23-20 but have won four of past six in series — and two straight trips to Tampa. I’m going to ride desperation and the home field to a needed Tampa win, but lean into ATL with points on the cover to christen Week 15.
Betting line courtesy DraftKings as of Wednesday afternoon.
