BucsGameday Staff Score Predictions: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue their 2023 campaign on Sunday afternoon in an NFC South divisional matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Following a disappointing showing in a loss to the Detroit Lions, the Buccaneers are looking to put the past behind them and bounce back in a game where they can continue to build on their lead in the division.

The Falcons have dropped three of their past four games with their only win in the stretch being a fourth-quarter comeback over Houston. The offense has struggled during the downward spiral, failing to reach 20+ points in all of the three defeats. Quarterback Desmond Ridder has been sacked 14 times while throwing five touchdowns to five interceptions over the last four weeks.

This is a perfect opportunity for the Buccaneers after being held to a season-low six points last week. Offensive coordinator Dave Canales and quarterback Baker Mayfield have a chance to flip the script and get the team moving back in the right direction.

Our staff provides their predictions and analysis as the Buccaneers and Falcons prepare to face off inside Raymond James Stadium.

Dustin Lewis (@DustinLewisNG)

Even though I predicted the Lions to win last weekend, I didn't expect it to be the type of dominant showing that the game turned out to be. To say the least, it was a disappointing performance for the Buccaneers with the spotlight fixed on them. It's not the first time this season that the moment has looked too big for this team as I'm sure everyone remembers what happened when Philadelphia came to town a few weeks ago.

What concerns me is that the play-calling was very vanilla against the two best opponents on the schedule to this point of the season. Plus, quarterback Baker Mayfield simply missed a couple of throws that could've kept the Buccaneers in the game.

After what we saw in the first four weeks of the year, I'm willing to call it a wash and give Tampa Bay another chance. It'll be up to the offense to respond against a middling Atlanta defense.

I think we see the Buccaneers respond the right way and take care of business at home.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 4-1

Buccaneers 31, Falcons 20

Logan Robinson (@LogansTwitty)

After a tough loss to the Lions, I think this Bucs team understands that they can compete with top teams but cannot afford to make mistakes, miss out on scoring opportunities, and play with more physicality, something this team has lacked when facing strong opponents.

Tampa Bay left Raymond James Stadium unscathed from injuries and that’s a major plus. The Bucs’ defense should be able to hold their own against Desmond Ridder and Atlanta’s offense but Baker Mayfield will need to bounce back after a poor showing. I think that ends up happening and the Buccaneers get another NFC South win to hold onto the top in the division.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 2-3

Buccaneers 24, Falcons 20

David Harrison (@DHarrison82)

As long as the Buccaneers don’t give Desmond Ridder easy completions on vertical routes this should be an important NFC South Division win. The defense will be looking to rebound after giving up some bad plays to the Detroit Lions and quarterback Baker Mayfield will be able to execute better against a Falcons defense that doesn’t get to opposing passers all that well.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 3-2

Buccaneers 27, Falcons 14

Collin Haalboom (@SI_Buccaneers)

Last week the Bucs defense came to play. On the other hand, the offense was nowhere to be found. Although certain concerns stemming from that performance are warranted, OC Dave Canales and the rest of the Bucs offense have managed to bounce back from their losses so far this season.

The Falcons present plenty of challenges on both sides of the ball. Although I'm not convinced that Tampa Bay's offense is going to light up the scoreboard, I do like how the Bucs' defense matches up.

Good teams don't lose consecutive games at home.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 3-2

Buccaneers 21, Falcons 17

Caleb Skinner (@chsnole)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to bounce back from a lackluster performance against the Detroit Lions and get the slumping Atlanta Falcons in Raymond James Stadium to do so. For the Buccaneers they will need to be more efficient on third down on both sides of the ball and should be able to do so.

The Falcons have shown a knack for turning the ball over the last few games and I think the Bucs’ defense gets back in the positive column here. The Bucs and Baker Mayfield in particular missed some big plays last week and face a tough Atlanta defense this week.

However, I think Mayfield and OC Canales took last week's game, where they scored 0 touchdowns, seriously and will look to score often and not let up. Give me the Buccaneers big in this one as Atlanta is just outmatched against a Bucs team pissed off and ready to bounce back.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 2-3

Buccaneers 31, Falcons 14

JC Allen (@JCAllenNFL)

Coming off a disappointing loss, the Bucs are almost in must-win territory in their matchup with the Falcons. With the division on the line and a short week trip to Buffalo looming, Tampa Bay can’t afford to lose ground in the NFC South. Still looking for a signature win on the season this could be the game the Buccaneers finally put it all together in all phases.

However, they will need to slow down the Falcons' run game that’s added the dynamic Bijan Robinson in the draft and make second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder beat them. Atlanta’s defense has been a huge surprise after devoting a ton of resources and is fourth in total yards and passing yards allowed.

The Bucs will need to be efficient and execute on offense. While hitting more explosive plays in both the run and passing games. If they can do that they should come away with a win against an underrated divisional opponent.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 5-0

Buccaneers 24, Falcons 19

Kade Kimble (@kadekimble)

Ultimately, it’s up to the Buccaneers to prove that they’re a solid team, and playing the Falcons poses that opportunity. It’ll be a tight-knit game that Baker Mayfield’s leadership will ultimately win.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 3-2

Buccaneers 21, Falcons 18

Ben Meyerson (@ByBenMeyerson)

The Buccaneers lost to a really good football team last week. The Falcons are not that. Their defense has been better and they will cause the Bucs problems in the run game. But Desmond Ridder has been turning the ball over more and more and he may be regressing.

Now he has to play Todd Bowles and I believe that Bowles will cause him a lot of trouble and make him look even worse than he has. The Bucs offense needs to play mistake-free, but their defense should allow them to play conservatively.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 3-2

Buccaneers 24, Falcons 13

Cody Haynes (@codyh33)

This is a huge game for the Buccaneers. They have the opportunity to take a two-game lead in the division and an early tiebreaker advantage against the Saints and Falcons. Hopefully, Todd Bowles has his guys ready to go this week after an embarrassing loss last week against the Lions.

The Bucs are pretty healthy heading into this game. The Falcons have been decent offensively (especially rushing) and one of the top defenses in the league the first six weeks of the season. Divisional games are always tough but I believe Tampa gets back on track in a big way.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 0-1 (joined in middle of season)

Buccaneers 31, Falcons 17

Matthew Hewitt (@bucs_tracker)

In my opinion, the Buccaneers will bounce back from a rough week and will be firing on all cylinders. I feel like the Bucs' offense will come out angry and drop a total of 31 points. I like how the Buccaneers' defense matches up against the Falcons offense.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 1-0 (joined in middle of season)

Buccaneers 31, Falcons 17

CONSENSUS: Buccaneers (10-0)

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