The Predictions: Falcons should continue winning

by Gary Shelton on November 23, 2019

in general

Jones has to hold onto the ball in open space./TIM WIRT

Saturday, 4 a.m.

At this point, the disappointment seems assured. The Atlanta Falcons have struggled too deeply, too haplessly to avoid that.

They have lost seven games so fare, and they have the Saints and the 49ers ahead, and a top 10 draft position is more likely than a run at the playoffs. Their current two-games winning streak notwithstanding, a losing record is almost assured.

But for two weeks, the headaches have stopped.

In the middle of the misery, at least that's something.

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That's what a break from the darkness can do for a team. Even in the losing, it can give a glimmer of a light. It can show its fans how it could have been all along if a few breaks had gone the right way instead of all the injuries and the penalties and the turnovers.

The Bucs, 3-7 themselves, have lost five of their last six and have moved into a tie for the NFC South cellar. They continue to have one of the worst pass defenses in memory, which won't escape the notice of Matt Ryan, who is coming off a 311-yard afternoon.

The key for Atlanta, however, has been the defense, which has given up only 12 points in its last two victories.

Tampa Bay should be able to score more than that, but it will have a tough afternoon.

Prediction: Atlanta 27, Tampa Bay 20.

Other games: New England 31, Dallas 21

Green Bay 29. San Francisco 28,

New Orleans 30, Carolina 23

The Colleges

Memphis at USF: The Bulls gave Cincinnati a tougher time than most anticipated until field goal kicking let it down. It could do the same against Memphis.

However, the Bulls just won't be able to stop Memphis enough to hang for a full game.

Prediction: Memphis 30, USF 17.

Miami at Florida International: The Hurricanes are ending their season well. Playing against teams like FIU doesn't hurt. Prediction; Miami 34. FIU 10.

Other game:

Georgia 27, Texas A&M 10

Baylor 28, Texas 17

Navy 30, SMU 24

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