Falcons vs Buccaneers Free Pick, NFL Free Picks, NFL Predictions 12/11/25
- J.A. Cavalier
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
ATLANTA @ TAMPA BAY (TB -4.5, 44)
NFL ODDS, NFL PREDICTIONS, NFL PREVIEWS
FALCONS @ BUCCANEERS 12/11/25
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have capitalized on an NFC South that has been regularly below average for the past four seasons. When Tampa Bay (7-6) visits the reeling Atlanta Falcons (4-9) tonight, the Bucs will look to avoid losing to a terrible opponent for the second straight week as it looks to win the division for the sixth time in a row.
The Buccaneers, who are tied for first place in the division with the Carolina Panthers, recently suffered a puzzling home loss to the New Orleans Saints, who had just won two games. The team is aware that it cannot afford to take a break because another below .500 opponent is coming up.
QB Baker Mayfield stated, "They would love nothing more than to beat us and screw up our chances because we're playing a divisional opponent." "Is there truly a lot on the line for the Falcons? Yes, as they're attempting to eliminate us from the playoffs. We need to anticipate their best, and we have a playoff mindset."
Mayfield completed a season-low 46.7% (14 of 30) of his throws against the Saints and is averaging just 158 passing yards a game in his two games since suffering a left shoulder injury. The seasoned quarterback knows the offense needs to settle into a rhythm, but he isn't using the injury as an excuse. The Bucs have only scored 15.7 points on average across their last three games.
Mayfield stated, "It's the little things," that require improving. "It all boils down to execution, whether it's my footwork timing, aligning the protection, or the depths of the routes. It's a convergence of things rather than just one thing. We will have it rectified.
Atlanta is the crew that can help Mayfield and company turn things around. The Falcons have lost seven of their previous eight games, most recently to the Seattle Seahawks 37-9 at home. The 28-point loss for Atlanta was the biggest since 2014 and the worst in Mercedes-Benz Stadium's eight-year history.
The Falcons will miss their eighth consecutive postseason after securing their eighth consecutive losing season. After yet another poor season, head coach Raheem Morris' career is in doubt as the year draws to a close. Morris, however, refuses to let his job security worry him as the club strives to end the season in a positive way.
"For me, that's the cost of doing business," Morris stated. "Those are things you don't put yourself in a position to worry about. As a leader, you must address difficult issues in front of others and set a positive example for your team members by completing tasks."
In four starts in place of the injured Michael Penix Jr., quarterback Kirk Cousins has passed for 192 yards per game. Although he understands that the club's on-field performance is crucial, Cousins, the oldest player in the Atlanta locker room, admits that the squad needs a vocal leader at its difficult time.
"I believe there is value in saying things. According to Cousins, "doing things probably has more merit." "It's more about how you practice, how you prepare, how you play on Thursday night is really what it comes down to."
The advantage of throwing to the team's top receiver has not been available to Cousins. Due to a knee injury, Drake London hasn't played since November 16. London missed practice all week and was declared out on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus (groin) and David Onyemata (foot), tight end Kyle Pitts (knee), and edge rusher Jalon Walker (quad) were listed as questionable.
The return of Mike Evans, a six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, could help Mayfield. The Bucs activated Evans from injured reserve on Wednesday, along with wide receiver Jalen McMillan, who hasn't played this season due to a neck injury he sustained in a preseason game on August 26. Evans has been sidelined since October 20 due to a broken collarbone.
Tight end Cade Otton (knee) and safety Tykee Smith (neck/shoulder) are doubtful, linebacker SirVocea Dennis (hip) and safety Rashad Wisdom (quad) are out for Thursday's game, and Evans and McMillan were labeled as questionable to participate.
Get free NFL Picks and NFL Predictions for the top games on the weekly 2026 NFL schedule from JA Cavalier, one of the industry's premier expert NFL handicappers. J.A. Cavalier has been bringing the NFL betting community the NFL free picks and predictions for nearly three decades. Visit daily for the best NFL money line and run line odds and game totals.
FREE PICKS POSTED DAILY, JOIN THE LARGEST FREE PICK CHANNEL IN THE COUNTRY. GET FREE PICKS DAILY FROM THE YLOSE TEAM.
FREE PICK:
BIJAN ROBINSON OVER 38.5 RECEIVING YARDS
Drake London is out. Kyle Pitts is questionable. Mike Evans was activated off of IR but is still listed as questionable for tonight. Somebody has to catch passes from Kirk Cousins. Guys like Dylan Drummond and David Sills will likely be more involved as should Robinson. He averages 46 receiving yards per game and he’s gone Over this number in 8 of 13 games this year. Last week against Seattle, Robinson was held to 8 receiving yards. Last time he was held below 10 yards, he came back in the next game and had 39. The Bucs pass defense is awful and they actually give up more receiving yards (53.2) per game to running backs than any team in the NFL.
