MONDAY NIGHT FRIGHTS
Tom Jones, @tomwjones: The Falcons are playing for something. The Bucs are playing out the string. And, well, the Falcons are way better than Tampa Bay. On paper, this game won't be close. It won't be on the field either. If the Bucs don't turn it over five times, like they did last week, they'll hang around for a bit. But I can't see them slowing the Falcons offense, which went crazy on Tampa Bay earlier this season. Prediction: Atlanta 37-14.
GOING OFF SCRIPT A BIT
Martin Fennelly, @mjfennelly: The two people Dirk Koetter least wants to see are at the stadium: Jon Gruden and Julio Jones. In moving Ring of Honor ceremony, Gruden declines offer to become Bucs coach, is named president of ESPN. Tony Dungy turns down Bucs in third quarter. Koetter asked back, signs peace treaty with Jameis Winston. Inspired, but sloppy, Bucs give Atlanta what it needs in must-win game. Prediction: Atlanta 31-24
PROTECT THE ROCK
Thomas Bassinger, @tometrics: The Falcons are going to move the ball — only the Patriots are averaging more yards per offensive drive. The Bucs can move, too, just not quite as well. They're averaging the 11th-most yards per drive. If they want to keep this rematch to within three touchdowns, they will need to hold on to the ball. They've committed the fifth-most turnovers per drive. Prediction: Atlanta 27-20
BUCS OFFENSE SHOWS UP
Ernest Hooper, @hoop4you: The Bucs understand how to move the ball against Atlanta, but they haven't figured out how to slow the Falcons offense. Clearly, they will need to do a much better job defending receiver Julio Jones (12 catches, 253 yards in the first matchup). But that task will be more difficult because running back Devonta Freeman will suit up for Atlanta this time, and Tampa Bay likely will be without Gerald McCoy. In the end, the Bucs offense keeps it tight but the defense fails to show up. It'll be close, but no cigar — except for Ring of Honor inductee Jon Gruden. Prediction: Atlanta 22-21
NOT THIS TIME
Greg Auman, @gregauman: Given the huge platform and national audience, a win tonight might be the biggest remaining opportunity to restore some positive momentum for 2018. And while the Bucs won’t allow Julio Jones to go off for 253 yards this time, they’ll be hard-pressed to outscore Atlanta — Matt Ryan has thrown multiple TD passes in his last seven Monday Night Football appearances. However important a win would be for Dirk Koetter and his team, it remains unlikely here.Prediction: Atlanta 34-24
BIGGEST GAME FOR KOETTER'S SURVIVAL
Rick Stroud, @NFLStroud: With Gruden going into the Bucs Ring of Honor and also calling the game for MNF, this is the biggest game of the year for the survival of coach Dirk Koetter. But the Bucs are without their two best players on a depleted defense as McCoy and Lavonte David sit out. Bucs will do a better job on Julio Jones but the Falcons have too much offense. Prediction: Atlanta 30-21