We’re starting to see the same dip in Thursday Night Football performance as we grew accustomed to last season. However, I do have higher hopes for this Week 5 matchup as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Atlanta Falcons (-1.5) and the total sits at 43.5. Both offenses are very capable of moving the football and play a zone heavy defensive scheme that should result in the chains moving early and often. The Buccaneers will be without WRs Trey Palmer and Jalen McMillan, along with DB Antoine Winfield. The Falcons come in a bit safer on the injury front with Bijan Robinson stating he has normal “nicks and bruises” — but he should be able to play.
Let’s look at my favorite plays for Thursday night.
Rachaad White, RB, TB, Over 22.5 receiving yards (-110)
Line available at Bet365 Sportsbook at the time of publishing
Much has been made lately of the rise of Bucky Irving earning a 50% snap share for the Buccaneers offense the last 2 weeks. While I don’t doubt his value on the ground, it’s White’s value in the passing game that excites me Thursday night. The Falcons run a zone defense at the 6th-highest rate in the NFL so far and that is where White can contribute; especially in the wake of Trey Palmer and Jalen McMillan missing snaps. White has seen 12 of his 15 targets this season against zone defense, going for 8.7 y/r.
His receptions line is all the way up to 3.5, but I see him landing in the 5-7 target range for this matchup. His ability to get open underneath should prove to be valuable should Tampa play from behind on Thursday night. White’s 133 receiving yards as a running back ranks 6th best just behind Kamara, Hill, Jones, Robinson and Hall. Despite losing share to Irving, White is still running routes on 46% of his snaps. 1u.