This is a tricky game to project given the Falcons' noncommittal stance on playing their regulars for the duration. Atlanta has clinched the NFC's top playoff seed, so there is little to gain here beyond more confidence heading into the postseason. The Bucs have lost five straight and need a win badly.
Falcons' top offensive player
Matt Ryan, right, has put on a show this season, throwing 31 touchdowns (one off the franchise record) and entering today with the highest rating of his career (100.2). Ryan has thrown multiple touchdowns in 10 games this season.
Falcons' top defensive player
Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, left, has become the defensive leader and, in his third season, has 14 tackles-for-loss.
What the Falcons do best
The passing game has been in full throttle all season. Roddy White (1,309) and Julio Jones (1,142) are ninth and 11th, respectively, in the league in receiving yards, and tight end Tony Gonzalez is eighth in catches with 88.
How you beat the Falcons
In both of their losses (31-27 at New Orleans and 30-20 at Carolina), the Falcons gave up 30 or more points. It suggests it takes a shootout to beat them because their offense has been consistent. Their 402 points (26.8 per game) are fifth in the league.
The Bucs must avoid …
An early deficit at the Georgia Dome, where the Falcons are one of the best home teams in the NFL.
Projected starters
BUCS
OFFENSE
WR: Vincent Jackson
LT: Donald Penn
LG: Jeremy Zuttah
C: Ted Larsen
RG: Jamon Meredith
RT: Demar Dotson
TE: Dallas Clark
WR: Mike Williams
QB: Josh Freeman
RB: Doug Martin
FB: Erik Lorig
DEFENSE
LDE: Michael Bennett
DT: Gerald McCoy
DT: Roy Miller
RDE: Daniel Te'o-Nesheim
SLB: Adam Hayward
MLB: Mason Foster
WLB: Lavonte David
CB: E.J. Biggers
CB: Leonard Johnson
SS: Mark Barron
FS: Ronde Barber
special teams
PR: Roscoe Parrish
KR: Tiquan Underwood
PK: Connor Barth
P/KO: Michael Koenen
Falcons
OFFENSE
WR: Julio Jones
LT: Sam Baker
LG: Justin Blalock
C: Robert McClure
RG: Peter Konz
RT: Tyson Clabo
TE: Tony Gonzalez
WR: Roddy White
QB: Matt Ryan
RB: Michael Turner
WR: Hugh Douglas
DEFENSE
LDE: John Abraham
DT: Corey Peters
DT: Jonathan Babineaux
RDE: Peria Jerry
OLB: Mike Peterson
MLB: Sean Weatherspoon
OLB: Stephen Nicholas
CB: Dunta Robinson
CB: Asante Samuel
SS: Chris Hope
FS: Thomas DeCoud
special teams
PR: Dominique Franks
KR: Jacquizz Rodgers
PK/KO: Matt Bryant
P: Matt Bosher
Stat pack
1 p.m., Georgia Dome, Atlanta | TV/radio: Ch. 13; 620-AM, 103.5-FMInjury report
BUCS — Doubtful: G Roger Allen (groin). Probable: CB E.J. Biggers (hip), DE Da'Quan Bowers (hamstring), TE Nate Byham (illness), TE Dallas Clark (illness), CB LeQuan Lewis (knee), T Donald Penn (not injury related), G Jeremy Zuttah (ankle).
FALCONS — Out: S William Moore (hamstring), CB Christopher Owens (hamstring). Questionable: DT Jonathan Babineaux (ribs), DE Cliff Matthews (hamstring), DT Corey Peters (knee), WR Roddy White (knee)
Prediction
Falcons 26, Bucs 23
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