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Atlanta Falcons: Week Nine Preview and Prediction

By Kit Anderson

Dec 6, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws a pass during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay defeated Atlanta 23-19. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws a pass during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay defeated Atlanta 23-19. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Will the Atlanta Falcons beat the Bucs headed in to the bye week or are we in for another late collapse?

The Atlanta Falcons moved to 5-3 at the half way point of the season and helped quiet doubts of another collapse with a 33-32 victory over the Green Bay Packers. Matt Ryan avoided throwing any late picks and led his team on a game winning drive late in the 4th quarter.

As they head toward a bye week the Falcons will get extra time off considering that their bye week comes after this week’s Thursday night football matchup. The Falcons are headed to Tampa to play the Buccaneers, a team that is hard to know exactly how good they are.

They have had an up and down season that included a victory against the Atlanta Falcons in week one. It was a close fought game that was lost because the defense failed to stop Jameis Winston and the Bucs for the majority of the game. The Falcons offense failed on a game winning drive attempt in the end and handed the Bucs their first victory of the season.

Since that week one matchup these two teams have been headed in opposite directions. The Bucs have struggled to win in close games giving up a lot of points and staying in the game only when their offense is able to carry the team.

The Falcons on the other hand have jumped out to a division lead and are on pace for a 10-6 record that could easily win their division. They have lost to the Chargers and Seahawks, beating the Saints, Packers, Broncos, Raiders, and Panthers. Their schedule has been one of the toughest in the league and has seen them taking down playoff teams like the Broncos, Packers, and Raiders. They are a better team than they were last season and will continue to prove it this week.

The Falcons have a much better offense then the Bucs and will take advantage of a weak defense within their own division. The biggest question in this game is how will Atlanta’s defense play? Will they continue to get key stops or will they play like the unit that was unable to stop this team in week one?

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This matchup will stay tight for a while but at the end of the day Matt Ryan is going to put his name back in the MVP running with a great performance and help the Falcons pull away late. Final Score prediction: Atlanta Falcons-35 Tampa Bay Bucs-24. Thursday’s game kicks off at 7:30 on NFL Network.

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