Falcons' Kyle Pitts targets Buccaneers in Tampa Bay showdown
The NFC South rivals meet in Week 8 after both teams secured unexpected victories, with Atlanta's tight end on a four-game scoring tear.
By Noor Phillips ·
The National Football Conference South rivalry heats up this Sunday as the Atlanta Falcons travel to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers.
Both teams arrive on a high note after securing upset wins in Week 7. Atlanta defeated the San Francisco 49ers at home, ending the 49ers' perfect season. Tampa Bay beat the Carolina Panthers by a 30-point margin, a result that shifted the spread odds in favor of the Bucs by two points for this matchup.
The return of starting quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. and Baker Mayfield has changed the rhythm for both offenses. In Mayfield's return game, the Buccaneers relied heavily on the ground game. Bucky Irving, Kenneth Gainwell, and Sean Tucker combined for 246 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Mayfield completed passes for only 64 yards in that 43-13 victory.
Atlanta's defense presents a challenge for Tampa Bay's ground attack. The Falcons limit opposing ball carriers to 3.8 yards per carry and 88.4 rushing yards per game through the first seven weeks. Only Derrick Henry has rushed for more than 100 yards against the unit coached by Kevin Stefanski. With Emeka Egbuka out, Mayfield may need to lean more on Chris Godwin and Cade Otton in the passing game.
On the other side, Bijan Robinson leads the league with 704 rushing yards. However, the Buccaneers allow just 77.3 rushing yards per game and have given up only two rushing touchdowns in seven contests. This defensive strength opens up opportunities for the Falcons to attack vertically through the air.
Kyle Pitts has emerged as the primary target in those vertical routes. Since Week 3, Pitts has caught 19 of 24 targets for 176 yards and four touchdowns. He has recorded at least five receptions in three consecutive games. The Buccaneers blitz at the league's sixth-highest rate and utilize single-high safety schemes that have left tight end coverage vulnerable.
Pitts exploited those same defensive gaps for three touchdowns in Week 15 of the previous season. Bettors have placed wagers on Pitts to exceed 3.5 receptions at odds of -118 with BetMGM. Additionally, his anytime touchdown price sits at +300 on FanDuel.
