Week 15 TNF: Falcons-Buccaneers Preview, Props, Prediction
Thu Dec 11 5:39pm ET
Field Level Media
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers suddenly find themselves in desperate need of a victory when the Atlanta Falcons visit to kick off Week 15 in the NFL on Thursday night.
Upset by New Orleans last week, Tampa Bay is now tied atop the NFC South at 7-6 with the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, the 4-9 Falcons are trying to reverse a skid that has seen Atlanta drop seven of its past eight games.
ODDS AND TRENDS
The Bucs are consensus 5.5-point favorites. That includes at BetMGM, where Tampa Bay has been backed by 78% of the spread-line bets and 63% of the money. The Bucs' -225 moneyline has been even more popular, drawing 67% and 87% of the action, respectively.
The total points line at the book has shifted from 44.5 to 44.0, with the Over supported by 56% of the bets and 61% of the money.
PROP PICKS
--Falcons RB Bijan Robinson Over 38.5 Receiving Yards (-115 at BetMGM): Robinson caught just two passes for 8 yards in Seattle last week but has generally been an integral part of the Falcons' passing game with 602 receiving yards this season. Before the Seahawks game, Robinson had at least 37 receiving yards nine times this season, and at least 39 in eight of those. This is the most popular player prop at the book for this matchup.
--Bucs RB Bucky Irving 3+ Receptions (-178 at DraftKings): Irving has a pair of catches in both games since returning from a seven-game absence. However, he had 4+ catches in each of his four games before getting injured and his workload figures to only increase. Larger potential payouts are available for 4+ (+106) and 5+ (+252) receptions.
INSIDE EDGE
Falcons running backs have averaged 10.3 yards after the catch this season, second best in the NFL, according to Inside Edge's Remarkable engine. Meanwhile, the Bucs are second-worst in the league in allowing an average of 11.5 yards after catch per reception to running backs.
KEY STAT
In two outings since injuring his left shoulder, Bucs quarterback Mayfield is averaging just 158 passing yards per game and completed a season-low 46.7% (14 of 30) of his passes against the Saints. The veteran quarterback isn't using the injury as an excuse, but understands the offense needs to find a rhythm. The Buccaneers are averaging just 15.7 points across their last three games.
"It's the little things," Mayfield said of what needs improvement. "Whether it's me being on time with my footwork, getting the protection aligned, the depths of the routes, it all comes down to executing. It's not just one thing you can point to, it's a culmination of things. We'll get it fixed."
THEY SAID IT
--"For me, that's the cost of doing business. You don't put yourself in positions to worry about those things. As a leader, you've got to stand up in front of people and answer the hard questions, and you've also got to stand up and be a good example for your guys in how you go and finish things." --Falcons coach Raheem Morris on questions about his job status
--"I think saying things has merit. I think doing things has probably 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." --Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, who has thrown for 192 yards per game in four starts in place of the injured Michael Penix Jr. The oldest player in the Atlanta locker room, Cousins acknowledges the need for a vocal leader during the team's rough stretch, but also knows the on-field performance is paramount.
INJURY REPORT
Falcons wide receiver Drake London hasn't played since Nov. 16 as he deals with a knee injury. London was a non-participant all week in practice and ruled out on Wednesday.
Tight end Kyle Pitts (knee), edge rusher Jalon Walker (quad) and defensive linemen Brandon Dorlus (groin) and David Onyemata (foot) were listed as questionable on Wednesday.
Mayfield could benefit from the return of six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans. He has been out with a broken collarbone since Oct. 20 but the Bucs activated Evans from injured reserve on Wednesday along with wide receiver Jalen McMillan, who has yet to play this season because of a neck injury sustained in an Aug. 26 preseason game.
Evans and McMillan were listed as questionable to play, while tight end Cade Otton (knee) and safety Tykee Smith (neck/shoulder) are doubtful and linebacker SirVocea Dennis (hip) and safety Rashad Wisdom (quad) were ruled out for Thursday's game.
PREDICTION
Mayfield has struggled since injuring his shoulder and is playing on a short week. But he's doing it against a reeling Falcons team, with the Bucs at home and getting some reinforcements in their passing game. --Bucs 23, Falcons 20
- FANTASY EXCLUSIVE: Injury Status: Week 15
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- Week 15 TNF: Falcons-Buccaneers Preview, Props, Prediction
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- Steelers star LB T.J. Watt hospitalized with lung issue
- Ravens DT Travis Jones agrees to 3-year extension
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- Bucs activate WRs Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan from IR
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The Paur Report
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) missed practice for a second consecutive day on Thursday. The veteran receiver picked up the injury in Week 14 against the Arizona Cardinals and ultimately played less than half of the offensive snaps. While it's not uncommon for a veteran player to sit out the first practice of the week as a precaution, it's more concerning to see Adams miss two practice sessions in a row. He'd likely need to log a limited or full practice on Friday in order to have any chance of playing against the Detroit Lions in Week 15. If active, the touchdown threat would rank as a mid-to-low WR1 in fantasy football. If he's sidelined, Tutu Atwell and Konata Mumpfield would earn more snaps as the Rams' No. 2 wide receiver behind superstar Puka Nacua. We should have more clarity on Adams' status when the Rams publish their final injury report on Friday.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant (hamstring) missed a second straight day of practice this week on Thursday and is not expected to be available to play this Sunday when the Green Bay Packers come to town. Bryant has one more day to return to practice on Friday, but as of right now, things aren't looking good for his availability this weekend. It's bad timing for the 23-year-old third-rounder out of Illinois, as he has had a bigger role in Denver's passing attack over the last three games. Bryant has been more productive than second-year wideout Troy Franklin recently, catching 12 of his 17 targets for 156 yards over the last three games. If Bryant is inactive on Sunday, which seems likely, Franklin could get back in the good graces of his fantasy managers. Big-play receiver Marvin Mims Jr. and tight end Evan Engram should see more involvement as well.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (calf) was unable to practice on Thursday due to a calf injury, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. It's a downgrade for Ferguson, who was listed as limited in Wednesday's practice. Mid-week downgrades usually are a bad sign, so fantasy managers need to keep a close eye on the 26-year-old's status on Friday. If he is unable to play on Sunday night against the Minnesota Vikings, Luke Schoonmaker will likely be Dallas' top pass-catching tight end. Ferguson has been an excellent value pick for fantasy managers who waited to draft him, as he currently ranks as the TE2 in half-PPR points thanks to 75 catches on 90 targets for 554 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games played. Only Arizona's Trey McBride has more touchdowns than Ferguson in 2025. Fantasy managers who have been riding with Ferguson all year need to make sure they have a backup plan ready for this weekend.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (knee), who was listed as doubtful for Week 15, has officially been ruled out for Thursday night's contest against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. Otton suffered a knee injury in the Week 14 loss to the New Orleans Saints and will miss this week's game on a short week after missing practice Monday through Wednesday. The 26-year-old's next opportunity to play will come in Week 16 versus the division-rival Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Dec. 21. With Otton sidelined on Thursday night, Payne Durham and Devin Culp figure to share snaps at the TE position for the Bucs. Fantasy managers should be looking to avoid the Bucs' TE situation with Otton out this week. Otton has recorded 46 receptions for 430 yards and no touchdowns on 66 targets through 14 weeks in 2025.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (neck) will make his 2025 season debut in Week 15 on Thursday Night Football versus the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. McMillan was activated from Injured Reserve on Wednesday, but was listed as questionable to play this week. The 24-year-old second-year wideout suffered multiple fractures and ligament damage in his neck in a preseason game in August, but he's finally ready to contribute down the stretch for Tampa. With veteran Mike Evans (collarbone) also back for the first time since breaking his collarbone in Week 7, the Bucs' receiving corps is finally back to full strength for the first time this year. McMillan had a pretty big role in the offense to close out his rookie campaign with Chris Godwin Jr. on the shelf, and he finished with a 37-461-8 line in 13 games. However, in a crowded WR room this year and with limited snaps likely coming in his first game back, McMillan won't be a recommended fantasy play against Atlanta.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. (knee), who was listed as questionable, is officially active for the Thursday night divisional game versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Tori McElhaney of AtlantaFalcons.com. Pitts was expected to play all along in this one, but it's now official. The 25-year-old will have more upside for fantasy managers for at least another week, too, with receiver Drake London (knee) set to miss a fourth straight game. In the last two weeks with London sidelined with a PCL sprain in his knee, Pitts has drawn 18 targets, catching 13 of them for 172 yards. He has only one touchdown on the year, which came way back on Sept. 28, but Pitts should be one of quarterback Kirk Cousins' top targets against a Tampa defense that has allowed the 12th-most half-PPR points to TEs in the last five weeks.
From RotoBaller
As expected, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) is active for the Thursday night game against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. It's excellent news for a Buccaneers team desperate for a win as they look to keep their lead in the NFC South division over the Carolina Panthers. The 32-year-old Evans has played in only four games in 2025 due to a hamstring injury and a broken collarbone. The future Hall of Famer had 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons coming into this season, but he'll be extremely volatile for fantasy managers in his first game back following a long layoff. Evans will be on the field on Thursday, but he's expected to be on a snap count, which will make him extremely risky in starting fantasy lineups in what is the first week of the playoffs in most leagues. Keep in mind that Evans wasn't cleared to take contact in any of the practices he was involved in after rejoining the team last week.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd (calf) was listed as a limited participant for the second straight day at Thursday's practice, per ESPN's Rob Demovsky. Lloyd's 21-day practice window was opened last week, and he was a limited participant all week, but he wasn't quite ready to return for the Week 14 game against the Chicago Bears. The 2024 third-round pick has yet to play in a game this season, but he could be ready to make his season debut in Week 15 against the Denver Broncos. With Josh Jacobs (knee) missing consecutive practices and trending in the wrong direction to play, Lloyd could end up having a role in Green Bay's backfield alongside Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks if he is activated from IR for Sunday's game.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden (wrist) was a limited participant again in Thursday's practice session, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. Golden has been held back by a nagging wrist injury for a few weeks now, and it contributed to him barely playing on Sunday against the Chicago Bears. The rookie first-rounder played just 9.4% of the offensive snaps and saw one target. It was by far his lowest snap share of the season, with his previous low being the last game he played in Week 11 against the New York Giants. It's difficult to see Golden's role ticking back up with Jayden Reed returning from injury in Week 14, and the Texas product can't be trusted by fantasy managers in a tough Week 15 matchup against the Denver Broncos on the road.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (shoulder) was listed as a limited participant in practice for the second straight day on Thursday, ESPN's Rob Demovsky reports. Reed returned in Week 14 against the Chicago Bears after missing 10 games due to a broken collarbone and a fracture in his foot. The dynamic wideout hauled in all four of his targets for 31 yards while adding two carries for 22 yards as a runner. The 25-year-old only played 49% of the snaps, but that should be expected in his first game back after missing a significant chunk of time. The Packers' passing attack remained very spread out with 10 different players earning at least one target against the Bears, with Reed tying Christian Watson and Luke Musgrave for the most targets at four. Assuming he plays, Reed's snaps and usage should continue to trend up in the Week 15 matchup with the Denver Broncos, where he'll rank as a boom-or-bust WR3/flex in fantasy in a difficult road matchup.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell (knee) was upgraded to a full participant in Thursday's practice session after being limited on Wednesday. Mitchell is coming off his most efficient performance of the season on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, rushing for 76 yards on six carries. The speedy running back exited early in the game due to a knee injury, but it's been considered minor after the MRI results came back clean. Mitchell's full participation on Thursday is a good sign that he should be good to go for the Week 15 divisional matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Mitchell's role has been limited in Baltimore's offense, even with Justice Hill (neck) on Injured Reserve, but he still holds value as a high-upside handcuff to Derrick Henry.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (ankle) was added to the Week 15 injury report and was a limited participant in Thursday's practice due to an ankle injury. Bateman has had an underwhelming season and hasn't been very involved in Baltimore's offense lately. The 26-year-old wideout has just one game with more than two receptions this season, which came back in Week 3 versus the Detroit Lions, when he hauled in five of seven targets for 63 yards and one of his two touchdowns on the year. Bateman appeared on the injury report last week with an ankle issue as well, but he registered two full practices and played on Sunday against the Steelers. Bateman will profile as a low-upside, deep-league flex option if he's active in Week 15 against the Cincinnati Bengals, who he went catchless against two weeks ago on Thanksgiving night.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (hamstring) was limited in Thursday's practice for the second straight day this week with a hamstring injury that he picked up in the Week 14 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Zaccheaus' status is worth monitoring this week because of the fact that Rome Odunze (foot) is dealing with a stress fracture in his foot that caused him to miss last week's game. With Odunze out, the 28-year-old Zaccheaus played 79% of the snaps and caught two passes on three targets for seven yards and his second touchdown of the year. Even if Odunze misses another game, Zaccheaus will be more of a touchdown-dependent WR5/flex in deeper fantasy leagues. He has 37 receptions on the year for 280 yards in 13 games. Fantasy managers are better off rolling with rookie receiver Luther Burden III as a flex play if Odunze sits out again this weekend against the Browns.
From RotoBaller
Updating a previous report, Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (non-injury) fully participated in practice Thursday, Dec. 11.
Fantasy Spin: Jackson is coming off one of his better games of the season but still has not thrown more than one touchdown in any of his last five games. He will be facing a struggling Cincinnati Bengals defense this week and can be a low-end No. 1 quarterback in leagues.
From TheHuddle
Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews (glute) and WR Rashod Bateman (ankle) were limited during practice Thursday, Dec. 11. CB Chidobe Awuzie (shoulder), QB Lamar Jackson (non-injury), RB Keaton Mitchell (knee), LB Tavius Robinson (foot), S Ar'Darius Washington (Achilles) and CB Nate Wiggins (foot) fully participated in practice.
From TheHuddle
Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews (glute) was limited during practice Thursday, Dec. 11.
Fantasy Spin: Fantasy players should keep an eye on the situation to see if Andrews is in any danger of missing the game. He has been inconsistent with his production recently but has been targeted at least five times in four of his last five games. He will have a favorable matchup if he plays and can be a low-end No. 1 tight end in leagues.
From TheHuddle
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (hip) was listed as limited in Thursday's practice for the second straight day this week. Washington suffered a hip injury in Week 13 and did not play in last week's win over the Indianapolis Colts. The 23-year-old will probably need to upgrade to a full practice on Friday to avoid either a questionable tag or being ruled out entirely for the second straight week when the team faces the visiting New York Jets this Sunday. Now that Brian Thomas Jr. is back from a sprained ankle, Washington profiles as Jacksonville's WR3. When he returns, he'll also have to contend with tight end Brenton Strange, who has been a big part of the passing attack since coming off Injured Reserve. If Washington is back in Week 15, fantasy managers should have better WR4/flex options. Competition for targets will be stiff for Washington, and they are in a matchup that probably won't force them to throw the ball all that often.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders WR Noah Brown (groin, knee) fully participated in practice Thursday, Dec. 11.
Fantasy Spin: Brown returned to the lineup last week after a lengthy absence but was not much of an option during the game. He will probably see a few targets during the game but can be avoided in fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
Washington Commanders CB Jonathan Jones (rib) and LB Bobby Wagner (knee) did not participate in practice Thursday, Dec. 11. QB Jayden Daniels (elbow), DE Drake Jackson (groin, knee) and RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. (groin) were limited during practice. WR Noah Brown (groin, knee) and OT George Fant (knee) fully participated in practice.
From TheHuddle
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (Achilles) stayed limited in practice on Thursday. It's the second straight day this week that Addison has had his reps capped due to an Achilles injury, so the 23-year-old might need a full practice on Friday to avoid a questionable designation going into the Sunday night showdown against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 15. The former 23rd overall pick in 2023 out of USC went over 50 receiving yards in last week's blowout win over the Washington Commanders for the first time since Oct. 19, catching four of his seven targets for 62 yards. Addison has been highly inconsistent with a low floor in a Vikings offense that has really struggled this year under second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy. However, he has some upside potential as a WR3/flex in Week 15 (if he plays) against a Cowboys defense allowing a league-high 255.2 passing yards per game.
From RotoBaller
