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First meets second in the NFC South in one of the most tantalizing of Week 14 Sunday’s games, one which could go a long way to deciding the division title. The 6-6 Atlanta Falcons just about have the divisional lead, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one of two chasing teams at 5-7. A home win widens the gap; a road win eliminates it entirely.

Below, we offer some best bets and picks for the game, as well as how best to bet on the clash.

NFL Week 14 Bucs vs. Falcons odds preview

The Falcons are riding back-to-back wins into this game after beating the New York Jets on Sunday, but they haven’t strung together three wins all year long despite being the only NFC South team with a .500 record so far.

The Bucs, meanwhile, also won in Week 13 but it was a narrow three-point victory over arguably the worst team in football, the Carolina Panthers. WR Mike Evans stepped up, bringing in seven receptions for 162 yards and a stunning 75-yard touchdown which saw him surpass the 1,000-yard mark for the 10th consecutive season.

Tampa Bay has already suffered at the hands of Atlanta this year, being beaten 16-13 on home turf by the swooping Falcons in Week 7 a game in which Baker Mayfield outgained Desmond Ridder in the air but Ridder supplied a touchdown on the ground. That was the game that gave the Georgia team the divisional lead for the first time this year; if the Falcons can complete the sweep on Sunday, they’ll have a two-game lead with only a small handful still to play, as well as another tiebreaker in a tight division.

But the Bucs are the reigning division champions, and they’ll have something to say about that. “From here on out, every game we play is a playoff game,” said Buccaneers’ head coach Todd Bowles.

Yep, that sounds about right.

Kickoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is at noon CT live on CBS. Atlanta is favored by less than a field goal.

NFL Week 14 Bucs vs. Falcons best bet: Bucs +2.5 (-110 or better)

The Buccaneers have struggled outside of Tampa Bay, dropping their last four road games, but they have covered the spread in six of their last 10 away games and are 5-1 ATS on the road this season. The Falcons are 2-3 in their last five home games and the same record ATS in those fixtures, and have only covered the spread on one of five occasions they have been favored by 2.5 points this season.

If they can use their offensive arsenal, including star receiver Evans and star rusher Rachaad White, early and then often, they can do some damage in Atlanta.

NFL Week 14 Bucs vs. Falcons best bet: Under 39 total points (-110 or better)

On balance, the under feels like the play here. It’s hit seven times in Tampa Bay’s last 10 games as Mayfield and Co. rarely put up noteworthy totals. The Bucs are averaging 20.4 points allowed per game, and the Falcons have given up just 11.5 PPG across their last two wins, keeping the lowly Jets to eight points and the Saints to 15.

The thing is, Atlanta isn’t scoring high either, putting up 18.5 PPG in their back-to-back wins. Neither of these two offenses are exactly scintillating and with a fairly high line at 39 points, under seems the best bet.

NFL Week 14 Bucs vs. Falcons player prop: Rachaad White over 54.5 rushing yards (-115 or better)

The Bucs have the league’s third-worst rushing attack but they looked much improved on that front last week. OK, that was only against the hapless Panthers, but there’s reason to believe they can continue that upswing here.

The Falcons have a sturdy pass defense and it’s only natural to place a great deal of focus on stopping Evans in his banner season. But White is a primary target for Mayfield every week, having hit the receptions over in nine of his last 11 games.

NFL Week 14 Bucs vs. Falcons best bets: How to claim your sports betting bonus, best NFL promotions

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• Click one of our promo code links and sign up using our code where applicable.
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