Week 5 of the NFL season is here and we have a division rivalry game on the docket for Thursday Night Football. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be traveling to take on the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The two teams are coming in off big wins last week and this game could help determine the division down the line. Tampa Bay enters with a record of 3-1 on the season while the Falcons come in with a record of 2-2 on the year.
Atlanta took down the NFC South rival New Orleans Saints last week so they will be looking to go 2-0 in the division. Tampa Bay, on the other hand, is playing in its first NFC South game of the season so getting a win could go a long way in their hope of winning the division.
Both teams have quarterbacks who can change the dynamic of a game. Kirk Cousins has been looking better each week for the Falcons as he gets more comfortable in the new offensive system. He has thrown for 864 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions to start his Falcons career.
Baker Mayfield of the Buccaneers is one of the leading candidates for the NFL MVP honor through the first few weeks of the season. Mayfield is in his second year with Tampa Bay and has been playing at an elite level so far. He has thrown for 984 yards with eight touchdowns and two interceptions through four games.
But who wins this game? The Newsweek Sports staff predicted how this game would go.
Matt Levine: While Atlanta is coming off a big win over the Saints last week, they have been a bit up and down to start the year. Tampa Bay has looked like one of the best teams in the NFL with Mayfield playing at a very high level. The Buccaneers defense has been playing lights out so far this year and that performance continues here. Tampa Bay gets the big division win to move to 4-1 on the season.
Prediction: Buccaneers 30, Falcons 20
James Brizuela: The Falcons and Bucs are similar in terms of firepower, but Baker Mayfield is currently playing some great football. The Falcons have Bijan Robinson, but he has not yet been fully unlocked this season. Even with the Falcons at home, the Bucs are rolling the right way currently.
Prediction: Buccaneers 28, Falcons 21
Valentina Martinez: Both the Falcons and Buccaneers are coming off wins, but I’m taking Atlanta to bring home the win. Kirk Cousins and company will finally find their rhythm in Week 5.
Prediction: Falcons 32, Buccaneers 28
John Robinson: The Buccaneers are going to ride their momentum after their week 4 bludgeoning of the Philadelphia Eagles. Atlanta’s offensive line is not great and offensively they have not been as high-powered as expected. Tampa Bay has been a well-oiled machine through the first four weeks of the season and will continue their hot streak against the Falcons.
Prediction: Buccaneers 28, Falcons 17
Buccaneers vs Falcons kicks off at 5:15 p.m. PT/ 8:15 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video.
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