Buccaneers vs. Falcons: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Radio, Game Time and More

Even though their hopes of repeating as NFC South champions went up in flames last week, the Atlanta Falcons still have plenty to play for when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the regular season finale. 

The Buccaneers have been a mess since starting the season 4-2. They have lost nine straight games and everything is falling apart. Raheem Morris has lost control of the ship, the players have quit on him and there is nothing for this franchise to be proud of right now. 

The Falcons may not have a record as impressive as the one they did last season, but they could be better equipped to win a playoff game. The offense, while not great, is more explosive with the addition of Julio Jones to play alongside Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez. They can clinch the No. 5 seed and avoid a third game with the Saints if they win this game and Detroit loses to Green Bay. 

Where: Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia

When: Sunday, Jan. 1 at 4:15 p.m. EDT

Watch: FOX

Listen: WFUS 103.5, WDAE 620 AM (Tampa Bay); Star 94, The Zone 790 (Atlanta)

Live Streaming Audio: NFL.com Audio Pass ($29.99 for year, $27.99 team specific, $9.99 a month) 

Betting Line: Atlanta (-11.5)

What's At Stake?

The Falcons desperately need to win this game and hope that the Lions lose to the Packers, or hope that the Saints win and the San Francisco 49ers lose to St. Louis—because they can't go toe-to-toe with New Orleans in a playoff game. 

It is not impossible for one of those two scenarios to play out, but with the Packers having nothing to play for, and the 49ers taking on one of the worst teams in the league, it is a stretch to see Atlanta as the No. 5 seed. 

The Buccaneers are jockeying for draft positioning. They have the sixth pick right now, but they could move up to the No. 3 spot with a loss and some other teams winning. 

Buccaneers Injury Report (Courtesy of Rotoworld)

Probable: WR Arrelious Benn (concussion)

Out: CB Aqib Talib (hamstring), LB Jacob Cutrera (head), DL John McCargo (triceps)

Falcons Injury Report (Courtesy of Rotoworld)

Out: LB Mike Peterson (triceps), DB Kelvin Hayden (toe)

Buccaneers Player To Watch: QB Josh Freeman

When the season started, I thought Freeman would be a darkhorse MVP candidate. He was terrific in 2010 and another year of development would make him a star. 

Instead, he has thrown 14 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. He is still young enough to turn into the quarterback that we all thought he would be, but this season is a significant step back.

He has to show something in this game to give the front office confidence that he can lead them in 2012. 

Falcons Player To Watch: RB Michael Turner

It's hard to predict a Falcons player to pay attention to because we don't know how long the starters will be playing, but of everyone on the team, Turner has to play better as the playoffs get ready to start. 

He has battled a groin injury that has hampered his effectiveness, and it is showing on the field. He has not run for more than 76 yards in a game since November 20 against Tennessee. 

The Falcons offense has to be balanced in order to be effective, and Turner is the glue that holds everything together.

What They Are Saying

Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris has gone from being regarded as one of the future stars in the NFL last year to fighting to save his job and reputation this year. Earlier this week, he said that he will not walk away from his job. 

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"I think I answered this question a couple weeks ago ... I will never fire myself," Morris said Monday, two days after the Bucs were beaten 48-16 at Carolina. "You don't go from being a Coach of the Year candidate to being the worst coach in the league to get fired within a year. It's about us. It's a little bit of everything." 

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Falcons head coach Mike Smith was obviously not happy with the way that his team performed against New Orleans on Monday, but he told D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution that he doesn't expect that to be a sign of things to come.

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“I hope it’s an aberration in terms of the way that we’ve been playing defense,” Smith said. “It was just not the type of effort that you want to have when so much was on the line in terms of what the outcome could have meant to our football team.” 

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Key Matchup: Falcons Rushing Offense vs. Buccaneers Run Defense

The weak link of the Falcons offense this season has been on the ground. They rank 20th in yards per game with just over 105. That is a big reason that their offensive output has been so inconsistent. 

The good news is that the Buccaneers boast one of the worst run defenses in the league. Their front four has been abysmal all year. They have given up almost 150 yards per game to opposing running backs, and that is a big reason why they have not won a game since October 16. 

Something has to give when these two teams lock horns, and considering how bad things are in Tampa right now, I would be willing to bet that the Falcons break out and have a huge day on the ground. 

On The Hot Seat: Buccaneers Head Coach Raheem Morris

Even if Raheem Morris is unable to save his job, which is entirely possible considering how this team has fallen apart, he still has to save face for his next employer.

If he goes out with a 10-game losing streak and all the problems surrounding him, it will be hard for another team to justify giving him a job as an assistant, let alone a head coaching position. 

Prediction

Even if the Falcons were to rest their starters in this game, I still trust them more than the Buccaneers first team.

Falcons 24, Buccaneers 20

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