Game 5

Bucs (3-1) at Dixie Chicks (2-2)

Kickoff: 8:15 p.m.

TV: Amazon, WTVT-TV Channel 13.

Streaming: Fans may stream the broadcast from NFL+. Geographic restrictions apply.

Radio: Buccaneers Radio Network WXTB-FM 97.9 in the Tampa-St. Petersburg region (Transmisiones de radio en español en WTMP-FM 96.1 y WMGG-AM 1470 en Tampa). Additional stations throughout Florida on the Buccaneers Radio Network can be found here. The game will also be broadcast on SiriusXM Channel 225. The Westwood One national radio feed of tonight’s game can be found on SiriusXM NFL Radio Channel 88.

Weather: Per AccuWeather.com, solid day in Atlanta. Tailgaters — do people really tailgate in downtown Atlanta? — will enjoy temperatures in the low-80s under partly sunny skies with less than a 50 percent chance of rain. By kickoff, look for the temperature to be 78.  After the game. it should be a moderate 72 as you walk to the MARTA station.

Odds: Per HardRockBet, as of 9 a.m. Thursday morning, Bucs +1.5; over/under 43.5.

Zebras: The game will be officiated by Ron Torbert and his gang. And if this year is any indication, this will be a flag-filled night. Torbert and his outfit average 18 flags a game this year. That’s not counting declined penalties or offsetting penalties. Just gauging this season, Torbert and his posse tend to be chefs specializing in home cooking; only last week in the Jets at Broncos game did Torbert and his gang not give the home team the benefit of the doubt. Torbert’s crew threw 13 penalties on the Jets, five on the Broncos. Usually Torbert’s outfit favors the home team.

Injuries: Bucs —  Out: RT Luke Goedeke (concussion), DT Calijah Kancey (calf), WR Jalen McMillan (hamstring), WR Trey Palmer (concussion), S Antoine Winfield (foot). Dixie Chicks — Questionable: RB Jessie McClellan (illness). Out: ILB Troy Andersen (knee).

Outlook:  If the Bucs get good blocking up front, Joe doesn’t see how the Bucs can lose this game short of turnovers. When throwing from a clean pocket, Baker Mayfield has a 74 percent completion percentage. Joe is just not impressed by the Dixie Chicks. They got handed a game by the Eagles a couple of weeks ago. Yeah, they beat the slimy Saints in fluky style — without scoring a touchdown on offense. Good for you! Kirk Cousins is still a one-trick pony and he struggles against blitzes —  hello, Todd Bowles. If the Bucs can get any sort of pass rush — sacks, not pressures —  the Bucs ought to win. Another key is stopping Bijan Robinson. He is an electric running back, both running and catching. Sort of like a good running back version of Rachaad White. If the Bucs can avoid turnovers and control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, the Bucs should be 4-1 by midnight.

Trinkets: In three career starts against the Dixie Chicks, Bucs QB Baker Mayfield has thrown just one interception. Mayfield is also coming off tying a career-high with 30 completions in last week’s win over the Eagles. … In his last three games against Atlanta, RB Rachaad White has had at least 95 yards from scrimmage. … WR Chris Godwin is the only receiver this year who has had at least six catches in each game. … WR Mike Evans has at least 75 yards receiving in four of his last five against the Dixie Chicks. … ILB Lavonte David aiming for his third straight game with a forced fumble. … CB Jamel Dean had two passes defended last week. He’s also looking for his fifth-straight game with at least five tackles. … Dixie Chicks QB Kirk Cousins averages just under 300 yards a game against the Bucs in three career starts. He has seven touchdowns in those games against one pick. … RB Bijan Robinson, despite nursing a sore hamstring, had 74 yards from scrimmage last week against the slimy Saints and had a touchdown catch-and-run called back. … In his last game against the Bucs exactly three years ago, edge rusher Matthew Judon had a sack and two tackles for loss. Last week against the slimy Saints Judon had a pass defended, a deflected ball that became a pick-six. … LB Kaden Elliss had 10 tackles the last time the Dixie Chicks played the Bucs.

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Which team does @RobGronkowski think will come out on top in tonight's #TNF matchup? 🔊@heykayadams @AtlantaFalcons @Buccaneers @TNFPrimeVision pic.twitter.com/Z1ZgikHssI

— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) October 3, 2024