Bryan Power

THE PLAY: 2-Team, 6-Point Teaser: Falcons +8.5 and Bucs -2.5

This is a standard 2-team, 6-point Wong Teaser where we're going through the key numbers of 3 and 7.

I know the Falcons' current QB situation seems rather dire. For the second straight week, it will be Cooper Rush getting the start. This is not by choice, but rather out of necessity for 1st year HC Kevin Stefanski. Nevertheless, if there was ever an opportunity for Bijan Robinson and this Falcons offense to shine, it might be here as they face a Carolina defense that just gave up 59 points and 552 yards last week. For what it's worth, Atlanta could have won at Pittsburgh in Week 1, if not for two missed field goals and a pick six. My power ratings still make them a slight favorite at home for this NFC South matchup. So teasing up them to +8.5 makes a lot of sense to me.

For the second teaser leg, we will tease the Buccaneers down from -8.5 to -2.5. Full disclosure - the Bucs are my survivor pick for NFL Week 2. This is more about wanting to fade a Browns team that is stubbornly starting the hideous Deshaun Watson. It might be our last shot at fading Watson. If he plays poorly again (and I anticipate that he will), there's a strong chance Watson gets benched for next week's home opener. All of Watson's numbers last week vs. Jacksonville were awful. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay could have won at Cincinnati if not for four turnovers. QB Baker Mayfield will be eager to atone for that poor performance, especially against his former team, which shunned him years ago. This should get ugly. But I'd rather not lay more than one score.