The poll
Who would you like to see coaching the Bucs next season?
Raheem Morris: 13 percent
Herm Edwards: 12 percent
Rob Ryan: 7 percent
Total: 870 votes
By the numbers
19-17 Bucs' record against the Falcons
82 Passing yards needed by Josh Freeman to become the first Buc with consecutive 3,400-yard seasons
1-4 Freeman's record against the Falcons
96 Catches by the Falcons' Roddy White, fewer than only the 116 of the Patriots' Wes Welker
53 Receiving yards Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez needs to pass Torry Holt (13,382) for 10th all time
What they're saying
The Falcons are playing on a short week, and they've already locked up a playoff berth. They can get a better seed if Detroit loses to Green Bay. So there's something there. They also need to show something after the flop against the Saints. The Bucs are a disaster, and this is probably the last game for coach Raheem Morris. Atlanta will be the more focused team, and it will show.
Pete Prisco CBSSports.com
At a very young age, Raheem Morris has learned just how fickle this league can be. After being among the coach of the year candidates last season, he is now sitting on potentially the hottest seat in the entire NFL. I think he made a mistake by not hiring a defensive coordinator, but I do believe he deserves a chance to right the ship in Tampa Bay and help this young team grow along with him.
Brian Billick Fox Sports
The picks
Of all the possible wild-card matchups, Falcons-Saints would be the nastiest (and I'm not even saying I expect it to happen) and the one I'd like to see the most. This game, not so much. Falcons, 34-17.
Peter King Sports Illustrated
The Falcons get the rare second bye week. Falcons, 34-6.
Roy Green Jr. Charlotte Observer
Once a preseason Super Bowl favorite, the Falcons look like a team with a short shelf life in the postseason. Despite getting whacked by the Saints, their wild-card spot was secured. Falcons, 24-14.
Gerry Dulac Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Tampa Bay beat Atlanta 16-13 in September, back before the Buccaneers became the NFL equivalent of a car without brakes hurtling theatrically over the cliff into a rocky ravine. Yet I see it closer than the line. 'Lanta has clinched and has nothing to play for. Falcons, 24-16.
Greg Cote Miami Herald
Bucs at Falcons
4:15 p.m., Georgia Dome, Atlanta
TV/radio: Ch. 13; 620-AM, 103.5 FM
Line/over-under: Falcons by 10½; 45½
| Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14 | Week 15 | Week 16 | Week 17 |
| Lions Lions 27, Bucs 20 (0-1) |
at Vikings Bucs 24, Vikings 20 (1-1) |
Falcons Bucs 16, Falcons 13 (2-1) |
Colts Bucs 24, Colts 17 (3-1) |
at 49ers 49ers 48, Bucs 3 (3-2) |
Saints Bucs 26, Saints 20 (4-2) |
Bears Bears 24, Bucs 18 (4-3) |
at Saints Saints 27, Bucs 16 (4-4) |
Texans Texans 37, Bucs 9 (4-5) |
at Packers Packers 35, Bucs 26 (4-6) |
at Titans Titans 23, Bucs 17 (4-7) |
Panthers Panthers 38, Bucs 19 (4-8) |
at Jaguars Jaguars 41, Bucs 14 (4-9) |
Cowboys Cowboys 31, Bucs 15 (4-10) |
at Panthers Panthers 48, Bucs 16 (4-11) |
at Falcons 4:15 p.m. today, Ch. 13 |
Bill Cowher: 42 percent
Jeff Fisher: 26 percent
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