***MNF IN THE SWAMP - ATL @ TB***

***ATLANTA FALCONS @ TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS***

Tonight's Monday Night Football match features a battle in the NFC South Division as the playoff hopeful 8-5 Atlanta Falcons head into Tampa Bay to take on the lowly 4-9 Buccaneers. At first glance, this game seems like yawner potential. However given the circumstances in this one, never underestimate the power of a home team with potential to play spoiler, especially against a rival, and on Prime Time nonetheless. The Bucs have been a major disappointment this season as many thought this could be their breakout season and could possibly be a playoff team with some of the talent they have on both sides of the ball. Their season got off to an odd start due to Mother Nature which eliminated their mid-season bye week and the team just failed to ever be anywhere close to consistent. Injuries also played a part as QB Jameis Winston missed some time and journeyman backup Ryan Fitzpatrick started a couple games, one being the previous face-off against the Falcons in Atlanta a few games ago in week 12 where the Dirty Birds won the game 34-20. The Falcons have had similar woes this season as it has taken them all year to get into a groove post their epic Super Bowl collapse against the Patriots last season. They now find themselves in a difficult situation where besides the Bucs, have two other teams in their division in the Saints and Panthers who at this point will most likely make the playoffs. The Falcons now face an uphill climb as try to be the third playoff team in the NFC South and are left scrapping amongst a few other possible contenders for that last postseason spot as the season winds down. That being said, tonight as well as the final two weeks, are dreaded must-win games for Atlanta.

The Falcons are coming off a nice confidence building win last week on Thursday Night Football where they were able to fend off the divisional first place Saints by intercepting QB Drew Brees in the endzone to seal the victory during the final moments. Tonight poses as a bit of a sandwhich game as the Falcons as well as everybody in the world know that they are clearly the better team when being compared to the Bucs, and have much tougher matchups with round two against the Saints in New Orleans next week, and finish the season hosting the Panthers who already beat them in a close thriller earlier this season. However, given how important each game is from here on out for the Falcons, the classic lookahead spot is ruled out for this one. In my opinion though, that doesn't change the other classic spot of a team with nothing to lose playing good 'ol "spoiler" that I mentioned above. With the season already lost, the Bucs have nothing to play for, other than possibly hindering their rival's chances at making the playoffs. The Bucs also face their other two rivals in the Panthers and Saints respectively, to finish the season. With those two teams pretty much already in the clear at this point, I think it is safe to say that this one, if any, is the one that Tampa wants and cares about among the three left. The fact that it is their first time hosting MNF in I'm not sure how long solidifies that. What better than to ruin your opponents chances on National TV. The cherry on top here, is that the Bucs will be honoring their former Super Bowl winning Head Coach Jon Gruden at halftime and inducting him into their ring of honor Gruden as we know is one of the host of MNF. Is there possibly some strange voodoo in the air that the SwampMan loves to capitalize on? We shall see, but regardless, I expect the house to be packed despite the Bucs going nowhere and for their fans to be locked in for tonight's game. If the Bucs manage to jump on the Falcons here to start the game, look out. The crowd will instantly smell the blood and the pressure will build on the Falcons and we all know how well they do with that am I right? The thing is, Tampa is very capable of doing just that. Since Winston has returned he has thrown for 555 yards and four touchdowns in a two week span. He is not short of any weapons to go to through the air as WR Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson always pose a threat. As we know Winston also loves to utilize his TEs in the passing game and Cameron Brate and Rookie O.J. Howard are very dangerous. Winston has had some weird stuff going on with him this season aside from injuries, the dude is just off. I'm not sure what it was early on but the way he's played since his return form injury is promising. With a ton of people now doubting him along with his Head Coach Dirk Koetter who is on the hot seat, they need to show up and fare well in front of the world here and I think they will.

The Bucs have some major key pieces missing on defense tonight with Defensive Captains DT Gerald McCoy and LB LaVonte David both sidelined in the same game for the first time. CB Vernon Hargreaves will also remain out but he has now been out for the last five weeks I believe. The good news is veteran DT Clinton McDonald will be making his return tonight after being out the last two games to help fill the void for McCoy. As far as LB, the Bucs are no strangers to having to account for David and fellow standout starter Kwon Alexander missing time. Because of this, they have brought along a slew of youngsters who have gotten increased playing time throughout the season in Adarius Glanton and Devante Bond. Both of these guys have played significant snaps in the NFL and have continued to rotate in as pass rushers off the edge these last few weeks and I expect them to take advantage of a major opportunity here to try and make a name for themselves. As we know, the Falcons offense is talent loaded and one of the most explosive units in the NFL. As mentioned previously, they have struggled at times this season and have been inconsistent since the loss of last year's offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. In recent weeks they have seemed to of worked out the kinks and be clicking again so I fully expect them to get theirs tonight against an average at best Buccaneer secondary. To wrap things up here I just have a gut feeling that the Bucs match that offensive success of the Falcons and go toe to toe with them tonight in what should be a fun game to feast our eyes on. That being said, I believe the Koetter and the Bucs will not hold back with throwing the book at Atlanta tonight and will play them extremely tough, keeping this one within the number. I wouldn't be shocked if they won outright either, making things extremely juicy in the NFC Wild Card race as the Cowboys after last night are alive in well and getting their favorite weapon back next week, yikes! Luckily for the Falcons if it came down to a tie breaker between the two, they own it with a previous victory over them as well as one over Seattle who is the other possible candidate in my opinion. Also, the Seahawks pay a visit to the Cowboys next week in what will be an elimination game, so there's looking at the glass half-full for Atlanta. Ok, I'm done. BUCCANEERS+7