Admin October 3, 2024
NFL Week 5 picks: Why you should consider Vikings, Saints and Ravens
Lorenzo Reyes is back with his best bets for NFL Week 5 games.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons will meet on “Thursday Night Football” to begin Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season.
This is an exciting NFC South clash, as some NFL fans believed Atlanta and Tampa Bay to be the top contenders to win the division coming into the season. The Falcons will be eager to continue their momentum after defeating the division-rival Saints in Week 4. Atlanta was locked into the physical back-and-forth battle and ultimately walked away victorious after a 58-yard field goal by Younghoe Koo.
Under center for Atlanta will be Kirk Cousins, who signed a massive four-year contract with Atlanta in the offseason. He suffered an Achilles injury last October, cutting his 2023 season short in Minnesota, and has struggled through his first month in Atlanta. Cousins ranks 24th in QBR (43.0) and 22nd in passer rating (83.5) through the first four weeks. Atlanta ranks 21st in EPA per play.
On the other side of the field will be Baker Mayfield. The former No. 1 overall pick is off to a terrific start in his second season with the Buccaneers, sitting fourth in passer rating (106.9) and 13th in QBR (57.1). Tampa Bay ranks 8th in EPA per play.
Tampa Bay comes into the short week off an impressive 33-16 win over the Eagles. Injuries decimated Philadelphia entering the matchup, but Tampa Bay took care of business. This will be the Buccaneers’ first divisional matchup of the season.
USA TODAY Sports will provide live updates, highlights, and more from the Week 5 “Thursday Night Football” matchup between the Falcons and Buccaneers.
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
The Falcons and Buccaneers game will kick off Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season with “Thursday Night Football” at 8:15 p.m. ET.
- Live stream: Amazon Prime Video
- TV channel: Fox 13 (Tampa Bay market) | Fox 5 (Atlanta market)
“Thursday Night Football” will exclusively stream on Amazon Prime Video.
Viewers in the Tampa Bay market can watch the matchup on Fox 13, and those in the Atlanta area can watch it on Fox 5.
Watch “Thursday Night Football” with a Prime Video subscription
Here are the USA TODAY Sports staff’s predictions for the “Thursday Night Football” matchup for Week 5:
- Lorenzo Reyes: Buccaneers 23, Falcons 17
- Tyler Dragon: Falcons 24, Buccaneers 21
- Jordan Mendoza: Buccaneers 20, Falcons 18
Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) will be in the broadcast booth for Prime Video, with Kaylee Hartung (sideline) and Terry McAulay (rules analyst) providing additional coverage.
The Prime Video pregame, halftime and postgame shows feature Charissa Thompson as host, as well as former NFL players Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tony Gonzalez, Richard Sherman and Andrew Whitworth as analysts.
Taylor Rooks is the feature reporter for Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” coverage. Albert Breer provides reports and analysis.
OUT
QUESTIONABLE
OUT
- OT Luke Goedeke
- DT Calijah Kancey
- WR Jalen McMillan
- WR Trey Palmer
- S Antoine Winfield Jr.
The Falcons are favorites to defeat the Buccaneers, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2024, including the ESPN BET app and Fanatics Sportsbook promo code.
- Spread: Falcons (-1.5)
- Moneyline: Falcons (-125); Buccaneers (+105)
- Over/under: 43.5
Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks, and spreads has you covered with “Sunday Night Football” odds and “Monday Night Football” odds.
New to sports betting? USA TODAY readers can claim exclusive promos and bonus codes with the best online sportsbooks and sports betting sites.
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The Buccaneers enter the Week 5 “TNF” showdown in sole possession of first place in the NFC South. However, with a win tonight, Atlanta will move into a tie.
- Buccaneers: 3-1
- Falcons: 2-2
- Saints: 2-2
- Panthers: 1-3
The Falcons are opening the roof for their Week 5 game against the Buccaneers. It’s easy to understand why, as it will be a beautiful night in Atlanta, with a high of 76 degrees at kickoff and a low of 71 at midnight.
According to the Weather Channel, winds will max out at 5 mph while chances of precipitation are at less than 5 percent for the game.
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