Thursday, 4 a.m.
The victories of the Tampa Bay Bucs keep mounting.
So, too, do their injuries.
Sooner or later, the second fact might catch up with the first.
As the Bucs head into a big Thursday night game against Atlanta, they will do so without Luke Goedeke, an underrated member of their offensive Line who will miss his fourth straight game. They will do without young defensive tackle Calijah Kancey. They will do so without Trey Palmer and Jalen McMillan, their depth at wide receiver.
Pro football is a game of attrition. The teams that stay the healthiest almost always do better.
So can the Bucs upend the Falcons Thursday night,
Sure, they can. If they protect the ball. If they once again start fast. If they protect Baker Mayfield. If they control the running game. If they pressure the passer. If they avoid the big play. And so forth.
It’s a lot to ask, of course. The Falcons have a new energy under former Bucs’ coach Raheem Morris. They have some weapons.
And they’re home.
Prediction: Atlanta 24, Tampa Bay 20.
In other NFL games:
Minnesota 27, N.Y. Jets 21.
Baltimore 31, Cincinnati 26.
Houston 27, Buffalo 24.
Chicago 14, Carolina 12.
Kansas City 24, New Orleans 21.
And in the college games:
Clemson 30, FSU 20.
Miami 31, California 14.
Florida 19, UCF 17.
Oregon 21, Michigan 20.
Ohio State 23, Iowa 17.