Atlanta Falcons vs Buccaneers Prediction: TNF Preview and How to Watch

The Atlanta Falcons visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football on December 11, 2025, in a crucial NFC South matchup at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The game kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video, and this preview breaks down the prediction, key injuries, and full viewing details for Falcons vs Buccaneers.

Tampa Bay enters at 7–6 and tied atop the division, while Atlanta sits at 4–9 and is playing mostly for pride and evaluation heading into 2026. With the Buccaneers welcoming back multiple offensive starters and the Falcons dealing with significant injuries at wide receiver and tight end, this primetime game carries real implications for the NFC South race.

Atlanta Falcons vs Buccaneers Prediction and Game Preview

The Buccaneers opened the season hot but have cooled off over the past two months, dropping four of their last five and struggling to sustain drives. Their offense has been among the least efficient units in the league recently in yards per play, and quarterback Baker Mayfield has had trouble pushing the ball consistently downfield.

Help arrives in the form of veteran wideout Mike Evans and second-year receiver Jalen McMillan, both activated from injured reserve this week after extended absences with collarbone and neck issues. Their return, along with All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs, gives Tampa Bay its deepest offensive lineup in weeks and should stabilize protection and spacing in the passing game.

The Falcons, meanwhile, are in a very different phase of their season. They have lost seven of their last eight games and continue to search for answers on offense. Kirk Cousins is back under center after rookie Michael Penix Jr. suffered another serious knee injury, but Atlanta’s passing game is compromised without top receiver Drake London and with tight end Kyle Pitts managing a knee issue.

Atlanta’s defense, however, remains capable of disrupting an opponent’s rhythm. The Falcons rank among the better pass-rush units in the league in total sacks and have generated steady pressure on opposing quarterbacks over the past two months. Their ability to hurry Mayfield and force mistakes is the clearest path to an upset on the road.

On the ground, the matchup is challenging for Atlanta. Rookie running back Bijan Robinson has been a focal point through both rushing and receiving, but Tampa Bay’s defense has been one of the league’s toughest against the run in success rate and rushing first downs allowed. That likely forces Atlanta into more dropbacks for Cousins behind a banged-up skill group.

When you combine the context—Tampa Bay at home, in a tight division race, with multiple star players returning—against a Falcons team already looking ahead to the offseason, the Buccaneers enter this game with the clearer path to a result.

Injury Report and Player Availability

Injuries are a major storyline for both teams heading into Thursday night, especially at the offensive skill positions.

Atlanta Falcons key injuries

• Drake London, WR – Out (knee): The Falcons’ leading receiver will not play. He has 60 receptions for 810 yards and 6 touchdowns this season.
• Kyle Pitts, TE – Questionable (knee): Pitts has been a heavy target in London’s absence with 62 catches for 631 yards. His status will be monitored up to kickoff.
• David Onyemata, DL – Questionable (foot): A key interior presence who helps anchor the run defense.
• Brandon Dorlus, DT – Questionable (groin): One of Atlanta’s better interior pass rushers.
• Jalon Walker, DE – Questionable (quad): An important edge rusher who contributes to the Falcons’ strong sack totals.
• Several other starters, including guard Chris Lindstrom and cornerback A.J. Terrell, have been listed on the report but practiced in full and are expected to play.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers key injuries

• Mike Evans, WR – Activated from IR, expected to play (collarbone): Evans returns after missing six games. Earlier this season he produced 14 catches for 140 yards and 1 touchdown in limited action, and he owns 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons to start his career.
• Jalen McMillan, WR – Activated from IR, expected to play (neck): McMillan emerged late in his rookie year with eight touchdowns and now re-enters a deep receiver rotation with Evans and Chris Godwin.
• Tristan Wirfs, LT – Expected to play (oblique): His return is critical to solidifying Mayfield’s blind side protection.
• Tykee Smith, S – Doubtful (neck): A key piece in the secondary who may be limited or unavailable.
• SirVocea Dennis, LB – Out (hip): Depth loss at the second level of the defense.

Overall, Tampa Bay gets reinforcements at exactly the right spots—receiver and offensive line—while Atlanta loses its top perimeter threat and may be without its star tight end. That discrepancy in available firepower is one of the defining angles of this matchup.

How to Watch Falcons vs Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football

The Week 15 clash between the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers is the featured Thursday Night Football game on December 11, 2025. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

National broadcast and streaming

• Primary broadcast: Prime Video (Thursday Night Football)
• Streaming options: Prime Video apps and compatible smart devices; the game is also available free on Prime Video’s official live channel for viewers who access it that way.

Local markets

• Fans in the Atlanta market can watch on their local FOX affiliate.
• Fans in the Tampa Bay market can view the game on their local FOX station as well.

Fans can also follow along through league and team platforms that offer live scoring, in-game statistics, and postgame coverage. The broadcast crew will originate from Raymond James Stadium with full pregame, halftime, and postgame analysis around the matchup.

Score Prediction for Atlanta Falcons vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Atlanta’s defensive front has the ability to bother Mayfield and generate negative plays, and that should keep this game from turning into a one-sided blowout. The Falcons’ pass rush and opportunistic secondary can create short fields if they force mistakes, particularly early.

However, the offensive situation favors Tampa Bay. With Evans and McMillan back in the lineup, the Buccaneers can stretch the field horizontally and vertically, taking pressure off the run game and creating more manageable situations on third down. Wirfs’ return should also help stabilize protection against a Falcons front that has piled up sacks all season.

Atlanta will likely lean heavily on Bijan Robinson as both a runner and receiver, but facing one of the league’s stingiest run defenses, it may be difficult to sustain long, methodical drives. Without Drake London and with Kyle Pitts not fully healthy, Cousins has fewer reliable options in key situations.

In a matchup where one team is fighting to maintain control of the division at home and the other is closing out a difficult season on a short week, the edge goes to the Buccaneers.

Prediction: Buccaneers 23, Falcons 17

Final wrap-up: This Thursday Night Football meeting between the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers brings together two teams headed in different directions, but both under pressure. With Tampa Bay healthier at the right spots and still chasing a postseason berth, the Buccaneers are well-positioned to deliver a controlled, workmanlike performance and hold off a scrappy Falcons side in a competitive prime-time matchup.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What time is the Atlanta Falcons vs Buccaneers game tonight?

The Atlanta Falcons vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers game kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 11, 2025. The game will be played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Q2: Where can I watch Falcons vs Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football?

The game will stream nationally on Prime Video as part of the Thursday Night Football package. Viewers in the Atlanta and Tampa Bay local markets can also watch on their respective FOX affiliates.

Q3: Which key players are returning from injury for the Buccaneers?

Wide receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan have been activated from injured reserve and are expected to play. Left tackle Tristan Wirfs is also set to return, giving Tampa Bay important boosts on offense.

Q4: Who is out or limited for the Falcons in Week 15?

Falcons wide receiver Drake London is out with a knee injury. Tight end Kyle Pitts and several defensive linemen, including David Onyemata and Brandon Dorlus, entered the game listed as questionable.

Q5: What is the prediction for Atlanta Falcons vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

Based on current form, injuries, and home-field advantage, a reasonable expectation is that Tampa Bay edges Atlanta in a one-score game. A projected final score of Buccaneers 23, Falcons 17 reflects a competitive but controlled win for the home team.