Regular Season Closes with the Atlanta Falcons (9-6) Battling the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11)

Filed under Game Preview on December 29th, 2011

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The Atlanta Falcons finish the regular season by playing host to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an NFC South showdown. FOX will broadcast the game and kickoff is at 4:15 PM ET. Atlanta is a 12 point favorite and comes into the game with a 9-6 overall record and 2-3 division record. Tampa Bay shows up with a 4-11 overall record and 2-3 division record.

In week three, the Falcons suffered a narrow loss to the Buccaneers, 16-13. Roddy White racked up 140 yards on nine passes.

Last week, the Falcons were pummeled 45-16 by the Saints. Matt Ryan had 373 yards passing, completing 34 of 52 attempts with one touchdown and no interceptions. Julio Jones also had a fine game, with eight catches for 128 yards and one score. In their previous game, the Buccaneers were smashed 48-16 by the Panthers. Josh Freeman scored twice in addition to going 28 for 38 for 274 yards and one pick.

Buccaneers Passing Leaders
Grade		Name	Comp	Att	Yds	TDs	Int
C	76.3	J. Freeman	315	506	3,318	14	19
B	83.3	J. Johnson	19	36	246	1	2

Falcons Passing Leaders
Grade		Name	Comp	Att	Yds	TDs	Int
A-	91.5	M. Ryan	342	558	4,081	27	12

Buccaneers Rushing Leaders
Grade		Name	P	Att	Yds	YdsA	TDs
B	83.6	L. Blount	RB	178	769	4.3	5
C	76.3	J. Freeman	QB	52	224	4.3	4
C+	78.4	E. Graham	RB	37	206	5.6	0

Falcons Rushing Leaders
Grade		Name	P	Att	Yds	YdsA	TDs
B	86.1	M. Turner	RB	284	1,168	4.1	9
D	66.1	J. Rodgers	RB	49	181	3.7	0
D	64.7	J. Snelling	RB	35	101	2.9	0

Buccaneers Receiving Leaders
Grade		Name	P	Rec	Yds	YdsA	TDs
B-	81.8	M. Williams	WR	64	740	11.6	3
B	84.6	K. Winslow	TE	68	707	10.4	2
C	74.5	P. Parker	WR	36	480	13.3	3

Falcons Receiving Leaders
Grade		Name	P	Rec	Yds	YdsA	TDs
A	95.9	R. White	WR	96	1,227	12.8	8
A	95.3	J. Jones	WR	50	883	17.7	6
A+	97.6	T. Gonzalez	TE	79	867	11.0	7