Buccaneers at Falcons: Everything You Need To Know

TAMPA, FL – For most of the 2017 season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ pride and joy – their defense – played nowhere up to the standard the preseason prognosticators predicted.

After a particularly lazy performance in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints, defensive coordinator Mike Smith circled the wagons and led a closed-door meeting where no feelings were spared. The result? Back-to-back victories featuring a combined seven sacks, four interceptions and three forced fumbles.

As the Buccaneers try to claw themselves back into the playoff race, they will face a division-rival Atlanta Falcons team that found its offense once again. The Falcons are coming off an impressive 34-31 win in Seattle, arguably home to the best home-field advantage in the NFL.

This will be the first time the Bucs will face the Falcons in their new home, Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta’s old home, the Georgia Dome, was demolished earlier this week.

Here’s everything you need to know for the Buccaneers at Falcons Week 12 matchup:

Kickoff: Sunday, Nov. 19 at 1 p.m. Eastern

TV, Radio and Online: FOX, NFL Sunday Ticket, Buccaneers Radio Network, Buccaneers.com

Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, 1 Georgia Dome Drive SW, Atlanta

Point Spread: As of Wednesday morning, the Falcons are favored between 8.5 and 10.5 points in the books listed on Oddsshark.com.

Records and Standings: The Bucs enter the week in fourth place in the NFC South with a 4-6 record (0-2 division) while the Falcons enter the week in third place in the NFC South with a 6-4 record (0-1).

Tickets: For information about tickets, including the NFL Ticket Exchange, visit https://tickets.atlantafalcons.com/.

Parking and Directions: Click here to reserve and purchase a parking space through the Atlanta-based Park Mobile. The Atlanta Falcons recommend downloading and using the Waze app and getting directions to the specific parking lot attendees have chosen.

Clear Bag Policy: The following bags are permitted into Mercedes-Benz Stadium:

• Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches
• This is the size of a 1-gallon clear plastic freezer bag
• Small clutch bags, approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap can be taken into the stadium with one of the clear plastic bags
• All bags are subject to search upon entry and are subject to additional searches within the stadium
• All items left unattended outside the gates will be disposed
• Approved bags must be carried when approaching the lines prior to entry
• Prohibited bags include coolers, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, luggage, seat cushions, computer bags and camera bags

Prohibited Items: The following items and behaviors are prohibited at Mercedes-Benz Stadium:

• Abusive, foul or disruptive language
• Alcohol*
• Animals, except service animals
• Bags that do not follow the Clear Bag Policy
• Bottles, cans and beverage containers of any kind*
• Cameras with lens longer than 8 inches, detachable or non-detachable
• Chairs, stools or other seating devices
• Food items*
• Inflated balls*
• Interference with the progress of the event, including throwing objects
• Knives of any length
• Large umbrellas less than 33 inches long
• Laser pointers
• Noisemakers
• Pyrotechnics, firearms and weapons of any kind or any other action deemed dangerous or inappropriate
• Signs or flags no larger than 3 inches by 5 inches, no poles or sticks
• Thermoses or cups
• Ticket scalping
• Trespassing, soliciting, peddling and loitering
• Tripods, monopods and Selfie Sticks

* unless purchased on site

Image via Shutterstock