FALCONS HOLD OFF TOUGH CHALLENGE FROM BUCS

The Atlanta Falcons have been hit hard by injuries in recent weeks, but on Sunday they still found a way to win.  Backup quarterback Chris Redman hit Roddy White for a touchdown with 23 seconds remaining to give Atlanta a hard fought 20-17 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  The Falcons kept their playoff hopes alive as they improved to 6-5 on the NFL season, while the hapless Bucs dropped to 1-10.

NFL football betting fans who took the Bucs as +13 road underdogs were rewarded with their effort as Tampa took the pointspread victory.  Tampa Bay is only 4-7 ATS on the season but have covered three of their last four games.  The Falcons dropped to 7-4 on the year against the money.  The 37 combined points scored went UNDER the posted total of 46.  The Falcons have gone OVER in 7 of 11 games this year and had exceeded the total in five straight games before this verdict.  The Bucs have a NFL totals mark of 6-5.

White’s postgame comments praised the skill of backup Redman and emphasized the urgency for Atlanta to pull out the win:

"We couldn't afford to lose this one. It's a good thing Chris came in there and did what he had to do to win this game."
 
The Falcons are currently without starting running back Michael Turner, starting quarterback Matt Ryan and starting offensive linemen Harvey Dahl and Sam Baker.  All will be evaluated early in the week, but for this game at least backup QB Redman was on hand to do his job:

"I'm always ready at any time. That's what I'm here for."

Falcons’ coach Mike Smith added his praise for Redman’s poise:

"As a backup in the league, it's a very difficult position. I know Chris is always going to be prepared. I had no doubt Chris was going to come in and execute efficiently."

In the losing locker room, Bucs’ head coach Raheem Morris wasn’t accepting any sort of ‘moral victory’ due to his team’s strong effort:

"We were a 1-9 team, and now we're a 1-10 team. It's never a step forward when you lose."

The Falcons now host the Philadelphia Eagles next Sunday, with the game currently ‘off the board’ due to the myriad of injuries plaguing Atlanta.  They’ll welcome the New Orleans Saints to the Georgia Dome the following week before playing on the road against the New York Jets on December 20.  The Bucs will play at Carolina next Sunday, with Tampa Bay a +6’ road underdog and the total set at 42’.  They’ll host the New York Jets one week later before making the long trip to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Seattle Seahawks on December 20.