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USA Today via Reuters

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USA Today via Reuters

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady sealed a spot in the NFL playoffs with a record-breaking performance against the Detroit Lions. They will get the top wild card draw which is the fifth seed in their conference if they beat the Atlanta Falcons this weekend.

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A win on Sunday will guarantee the Buccaneers a playoff against a match-up against the NFC East champions. Here’s a detailed look at both teams, along with injury updates and Week 17 Game Day predictions.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers aiming for fifth seed ahead of playoffs

TB12 turned back the clock with an epic display against the Lions in Week 16. He went 22 of 27, throwing for 348 yards with 4 passing TDs to his name. Coach Bruce Arians will be pleased by his team’s performance after some inconsistent displays over the last four months. He will be tempted to rest some of his key players against the Falcons with one eye on the playoffs.

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But a win will guarantee them the fifth seed in the NFC. WR’s Antonio Brown, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin will be for the home team in their final game of the regular season. A strong defensive performance from the likes of Shaquil Barrett and Ndamukong Suh should be enough to seal a win at the Raymond James Stadium.

Can the Atlanta Falcons end their season on a positive note?

It’s truly been another underwhelming season for the Atlanta Falcons. Quarterback Matt Ryan and Co. have made some promising starts to games but have failed to close out wins in the final two quarters. They will most likely be without their star wideout Julio Jones once again as he continues recovery from a hamstring injury. WR Calvin Ridley will have to step up and lead in the absence of the legendary Julio.

The Falcons are at the bottom of the NFC South table with a 4-11 record. Deprived of motivation, they will have to dig deep if they want to beat the Bucs on Sunday.

ALSO READ – “He’s Being Well Coached” – Bill Belichick Comments on New York Jets Quarterback Sam Darnold

NFL Preview: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Atlanta Falcons Team Updates

Tampa Bay – Out

DL Jeremiah Ledbetter – Calf

Doubtful

CB Carlton Davis – Groin

Questionable

DL Steve McLendon  – Not injury related

Atlanta – Out

CB Darqueze Dennard – Quad

WR Julio Jones – Hamstring

WR Brandon Powell – Foot

Questionable

DE Charles Harris – Personal

Buccaneers vs Falcons Prediction

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 43 – 17 Atlanta Falcons

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USA Today via Reuters

Just like in Week 17, we expect ‘Tampa’ Brady and his band of speedsters to wreak havoc on the Falcons in Week 17. The latter has no chance of making the post-season and will be expected to play accordingly.

The Buccaneers can set up a tasty Wild Card playoff against one of the struggling NFC East teams such as the Dallas Cowboys or Washington Football Team if they win tomorrow. Regardless, there should be another Tom Brady masterclass on display in Florida this weekend, make sure you don’t miss out!

ALSO READ – Ben Roethlisberger Knew He Wouldn’t Play Against the Browns After Beating the Colts

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Daniel Arambur

2,075 Articles

Daniel Arambur is an NBA Writer at EssentiallySports, bringing close to a decade of experience across sports media, digital strategy, and editorial operations. He covers trade rumors, game-day matchups, and long-form NBA features, with a particular knack for spotlighting underdog narratives and momentum-shifting storylines. A journalism graduate with a postgraduate certificate in Strategic Marketing and Communications from Conestoga College, Ontario, Daniel blends statistical context with sharp, opinion-led analysis. His professional journey spans content strategy, paid media, editorial oversight, and quality analysis, giving him a rare end-to-end understanding of how sports stories are researched, positioned, and delivered at scale. Over the years, he has worked across SEO-driven publishing, audience growth initiatives, and performance-focused editorial environments, sharpening his ability to balance speed with accuracy and depth. At EssentiallySports, Daniel applies this multifaceted background to NBA coverage that is informed, structured, and reader-centric. Known for his analytical clarity and narrative instinct, he approaches the league with a storyteller’s eye and a strategist’s discipline, consistently aiming to add perspective beyond the box score. Based in Ontario, a city once home to NBA champion Jamal Murray, he harbors a long-term ambition to sit down for an exclusive conversation with the hometown star.

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