Take the Falcons over the Bucs in Week 3 Thursday Night Football

Tonight

BUCS (0-2) at FALCONS (1-1), 8:25 p.m.

Falcons by 6 1/2; O/U: 45

TV: Ch. 2, NFL; Radio: WCBS (880).

This NFC South contest features two teams that finished last season with abysmal 4-12 records.

Both clubs are probably happy to have a short week after rough outings in Week 2.

There were high hopes for Tampa Bay under new coach Lovie Smith. But the Bucs have been decimated by injuries to their defense.

Middle linebacker Mason Foster (shoulder) is out for tonight, and tackle Gerald McCoy (broken hand) and end Michael Johnson (ankle) are questionable. Tampa Bay already lost end Adrian Clayborn and corner Mike Jenkins in its season-opening loss. No wonder a third-string QB (the Rams' Austin Davis) beat Tampa last week. Bucs 35-year-old journeyman QB Josh McCown isn't helping matters as the NFL's 32nd-ranked passer. Yikes!

The Falcons used to be a lock at home but are just 4-5 overall in their last nine in the Georgia Dome.

Rookie left tackle Jake Matthews (ankle) is expected to return after missing the game vs. Bengals. He should help QB Matt Ryan, who was hit nine times, sacked twice and intercepted three times in the Week 2 loss at Cincy.

I usually like the underdog in Thursday night divisional games. However, the Bucs -- 2-6 against the spread in their last eight road games -- are too banged up on 'D', especially against Falcons' No. 2-ranked offense at home.

The pick: Falcons