* Dry weather also increases coal burn
(Adds quote, details)MADRID, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Spain is on course to import 10
million tonnes of thermal coal in 2011 due to better margins on
burning coal than liquefied natural gas, an executive from
Spanish utility Iberdrola said on Tuesday.Speaking on the sidelines of the annual Coaltrans conference
in Madrid, utility sources said they have renegotiated LNG
take-or-pay contracts and resold cargoes, mainly to Japan but
also to Europe and elsewhere in Asia. [IN:nLDE76I11X]”All of Spain’s coal-fired power plants are currently
burning,” said Jorge Palomar, a Madrid-based executive in
Iberdrola’s coal and biomass trading department.Data from national grid operator REE showed coal
plants were providing 21.1 percent of Spain’s electricity by
1150 GMT, which compares to an average of 8 percent for 2010 as
a whole.”Last year, it was very wet so there was more hydro
available, this (year) it’s been dry.”Utilities can sell hydropower at a discount to electricity
generated from coal and gas, so a lack of it over the recent
hot, dry summer has forced up wholesale Spanish power prices
.Spain’s coal imports have languished in recent years and
many analysts expect them to be compromised this year by the
introduction of market regulations favouring domestically
produced coal.”Let’s wait and see what happens next year. Spain’s increase
in coal imports is not enough to compensate for lack of demand
across Europe,” said a European trader who supplies
Mediterranean utilities.
British security firm G4S (GFS.L) bought ISS for 1.53 billion pounds ($2.4 billion) after the Danish firm’s botched stock market flotation.And Norwegian oil firm Statoil (STL.OL) said it was bidding $4.4 billion for Brigham Exploration to extend its U.S. oil and gas assets.The surge was reminiscent of “merger Mondays” of happier dealmaking days, when a flurry of deals was often announced after weekend negotiations.But bankers said it was too early to call an improvement in the mood for dealmaking.”I will be very surprised if the volume at the end of the quarter shows any improvement. G4S was a one-off opportunity. In the rest of the world, M&A is not picking up,” said one banker, speaking on the condition of anonymity.Mondays are normally the busiest dealmaking days of the week, with a quarter of all deals announced on the first day of the week this year. The two deals are far above the average of $4 billion on Mondays so far this year.But this Monday was only the busiest day since July 14, and was nowhere near a record. The average Monday volume is also far lower than the levels in 2008 and 2010. Of the past four years, only troubled 2009 was lower.Worldwide mergers and acquisitions (M&A) volumes dropped by more than a fifth in the third quarter, according to Thomson Reuters data, as unruly stock markets, Europe’s debt crisis and doubts about the U.S. economy put planned deals on ice.Global miner Rio Tinto (RIO.AX) (RIO.L) provided a glimmer of hope for deals next year, putting an estimated $8 billion worth of assets up for sale across six countries as it retreats form the aluminum business.M&A is more resilient in the United States, which is coming out of recession quicker than Europe.Kinder Morgan Inc (KMI.N) struck a $21 billion deal to buy rival El Paso Corp (EP.N), combining the two largest natural gas pipeline operators in North America in a huge bet on the fast-growing market for that fuel.FINANCING OPTIONSThe ISS deal proved that transactions were still getting done despite difficult market conditions, said Andrew Bell, global head of mergers and acquisitions at HSBC (HSBA.L), though he did not see it as a major change in sentiment.”This is a logical, sensible step for the buyer G4S. It is the sort of deal that gets done in these uncertain markets. I don’t think it changes the needle as regards sentiment. That takes a long time to improve,” Bell said.Britain’s G4S plans to raise 2 billion pounds to help fund the purchase of ISS through a fully underwritten rights issue at a hefty 47 percent discount to where the shares were trading after the deal was announced.The rights issue allowed G4S to side-step the still fragile and volatile debt markets, a significant barrier to M&A, and banks on support from existing investors already familiar with the company and its story.”A lot of investors are sitting on their hands and when they do go back into the market it is more likely to be for companies they know, such as M&A financing, as opposed to a new company,” said one equity capital markets banker.A global head of credit markets said he had noticed “some green shoots of stability,” signaling that the euro-zone debt markets were entering a slightly better phase.”The tone has definitely changed, and some of the names that were the most beaten up in high yield (market) are doing much better in the secondary market. On the new issue front, clients are more engaged,” this banker said.($1 = 0.633 pound) ($1 = 0.633 British Pounds)
A blue vase holding the ashes of Pollan, who died on Friday after a brief illness, sat on a small table with several photos of her and flowers brought by friends who included diplomats.Some of Cuba’s most prominent dissidents attended the wake, where they grieved for the former school teacher who became one of Cuba’s top opposition voices as she led the Ladies in White with a fearless defiance of the Cuban government.In contrast to other turbulent moments when her group was harassed by pro-government mobs, the streets outside her home were quiet, with life going on as usual.Leaders of the communist island have said nothing about her death, but in Washington White House Press Secretary Jay Carney praised Pollan and her group for having “courageously voiced the core desire of the Cuban people and of people everywhere to live in liberty.”“Since the beginning of the (Obama) administration we have worked to reach out to the Cuban people in support of their desire to freely determine their future and Cuba’s future. We will continue that work in Pollan’s memory,” he said.Pollan led the founding of the Ladies in White after 75 dissidents, including her husband Hector Maseda, were imprisoned in a March 2003 government crackdown known as Havana’s Black Spring.Dressed in white and each carrying a single white flower, the women defied government pressure by staging silent marches every Sunday on one of Havana’s main avenues demanding the release of their loved ones. At the end of each march, they shouted in unison “libertad,” or freedom.Public protests were unheard of at the time and remain a rarity today in tightly controlled Cuba, where the government views dissidents as mercenaries for the United States, its longtime enemy that works closely with dissidents to promote political change.MARCHES WILL CONTINUELast year, after international condemnation for the death of an imprisoned dissident who staged a long hunger strike, President Raul Castro relented and released 115 political prisoners, including those from the 2003 crackdown, in a deal brokered by the Catholic Church.The Ladies in White, saying Cuba still has political prisoners, have continued their marches and will do so again this Sunday and into the future, said Berta Soler, Pollan’s longtime co-leader of the group.”We’re going to continue our peaceful fight for the liberation of all political prisoners. We’ll also continue defending the human rights of the Cuban people,” vowed Soler, speaking in the hushed, grief-stricken ambience of Pollan’s wake.”We plan to march tomorrow on Fifth Avenue like we do every Sunday. It will be a special march for Laura,” she said.Pollan’s husband, Hector Maseda, told the women they must not stop, despite the loss of his wife.”You have to keep going as you have until now, with intelligence, not accepting provocations. You have become a dagger in the middle of the heart of the government,” he said.Despite the vows to go on, Pollan will not be easy to replace.Under her leadership, the Ladies in White were awarded the 2005 Sakharov award for human rights from the European Parliament, named for late Russian dissident Andrei Sakharov, and have been considered candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize.”She was a person who gave her life over to fighting for the fundamental cause of human rights. (Her death) has been an irreparable loss,” said Elizardo Sanchez, head of the independent Cuban Commission of Human Rights.Pollan died of cardiac arrest in a Havana hospital where she had been treated since October 7 for a pulmonary illness.Some of her supporters had raised questions about whether she had received good medical care in Cuba’s state-run medical system, but Maseda praised the medical team attending her and said “they tried to save my wife’ life until the last minute.”Maseda said some of her ashes would be placed in a crypt in her hometown of Manzanillo in the southeastern province of Granma and others scattered in a field of flowers, as she had once requested.
Raising new loans would take further pressure off the banks
to sell the 1.75 billion zloty ($562 million) bond as credit
market conditions for high-yield issuers remain difficult.Credit Agricole, Deutsche Bank, Royal Bank of Scotland,
Societe Generale and PKO BP underwrote the bridge to bond in
July to back Polkomtel’s buyout by Polish billionaire Zygmunt
Solorz-Zak.The bookrunners are sounding out other banks to see how much
in term loans they can raise in addition to the 1.9 billion euro
($2.6 billion) equivalent they already raised in August, the
sources said.At the time, the loan attracted strong demand from Polish
and other international banks, despite the difficult market
conditions over the summer due to worsening euro zone sovereign
debt crisis.The loan was twice oversubscribed, with almost 25 other
banks joining the transaction, following an upsize of 300
million euros, according to Thomson Reuters LPC data.In addition to the 1.75 billion zloty secured bridge to bond
and the 1.9 billion euro senior term loans, the total debt
package also includes a 900 million euro subordinated bridge to
high-yield bond and a 352 million euro Payment-in-Kind (PIK)
note, according to Thomson Reuters LPC.The PIK could be reduced by around 125 million euros after
an investment from The European Bank of Reconstruction and
Development (EBRD), which is pending approval.Polkomtel couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
($1 = 3.112 zlotys)
($1 = 0.725 Euros)
The index reading was based on a survey of NFIB members.
Had a Baltimore Ravens type Sunday last week, going 2-4 after a brilliant (if I do say so) 5-1 start to the season. But like the Ravens, I look for a big bounce back in Week 3.
Record: 7-5. Last week 2-4; Pick of the Week: 2-0
PICK OF THE WEEK
Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) at San Diego Chargers (1-1)
(Line: Chargers minus-14.5)
The Chargers usually play with about as much energy as a dead battery early in the season but I am not expecting the Bolts will need to dig deep to blow out the dreadful Chiefs, who have been outscored 89-10 in their opening two games.
Even on a good day, the Chiefs have not fared well at Qualcomm Stadium, recording just one win in their last seven visits, including a 31-0 pummeling last season.
All signs point to another thrashing.
A bad season just keeps getting worse for KC, who have already lost All-Pro running back Jamaal Charles and safety Eric Berry to season ending injuries.
The Chiefs have been a turnover machine handing over the ball nine times in two games and sit last in scoring and rushing.
The Detroit Lions’ Matthew Stafford and St. Louis Rams’ Sam Bradford each shredded the Chiefs secondary for four touchdown passes and now face a quality Chargers offence led by Philip Rivers.
The Chargers laboured to a win over the Minnesota Vikings at home in their opener and then turned in a sloppy effort losing to the Patriots but only Tom Brady and super-rookie Cam Newton have tossed for more yards through the first two weeks.
The Chargers also tend to play better at home going 12-2 in their last 14 regular season games and I love those powder blue uniforms.
Unless Southern California slips into the Pacific this one is a lock.
Lightning strikes. Take the Bolts and give up the 14.5.
- – - -
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) at Carolina Panthers (0-2)
(Line: Panthers minus-3.5)
Panthers super rookie Cam Newton could pass for a gazillion yards this season but it will not mean much unless he can produce a few wins.
The Panthers triggerman, who has indeed impressed tossing for a rookie record 854 yards in his first two contests, will get a chance on Sunday to prove there is some steak to go along with that sizzle.
Newton has played in just two games but compared to Jaguars rookie pivot Blaine Gabbert, who will be making his first career start, he is a grizzled veteran.
That stench coming out of Jacksonville is the smell of desperation as coach Jack Del Rio searches for a quarterback.
After cutting loose incumbent QB David Garrard just before the season opener, Del Rio needed only two weeks to decide Luke McCown was not the answer.
Jacksonville ranks 30th in passing after two games, McCown getting the hook after tossing four interceptions in a 32-3 loss to the New York Jets.
The Jaguars have a quality running back Maurice Jones-Drew and … umm, well let us leave it at that.
The Panthers have the NFL’s second ranked offense and second ranked passing attack. Wide receiver Steve Smith leads the league in receiving yards with 334.
While Newton’s aerial show has been grabbing the headlines, look for the Panthers to try for a more balanced attack with running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart getting work.
Playing at home and with Chicago, New Orleans and Atlanta in the on deck circle, I’ve got to believe this is a game the Panthers have had circled for a while.
This looks like a purrr-fect spot for Panthers win.
Take the Panthers give up the 3.5.
- – - -
Detroit Lions (2-0) at Minnesota Vikings (0-2)
(Line: Lions minus-3.5)
Having lived in Detroit the previous four years, including that miserable 0-16 season, I have been slow to jump on the Lions bandwagon.
The vibe has not been this upbeat in the Motown since Stevie Wonder and the Supremes were churning out gold records.
But now it Ndamukong Suh recording the hits as the Lions bid for their first 3-0 start since 1980.
Counting last season and the pre-season games, the Lions are on a nine-game winning streak, including a 48-3 thrashing of the Kansas City Chiefs, and I can see no reason for it to end at the Mall of the Americas.
Matthew Stafford to Calvin Johnson are as good as any pass-catch combo in the league.
The Lions finally have an offense that has teeth, ranking second in league scoring while Johnson is tied for the lead in touchdown catches with four.
Led by Suh, the Lions defence has shown some bite with eight takeaways.
About the only thing the Vikings have going for them is the running of Adrian Peterson and history.
Peterson ranks fourth in rushing with 218 yards in two games while the Lions have not won in Minny since 1997, a run of 13 straight losses.
Fire up the bandwagon – I’m in.
Take the Lions and give up the 3.5.
- – - -
Baltimore Ravens (1-1) at St. Louis Rams (0-2)
(Line: Ravens minus-3.5)
Of all the letdowns last week this is the one that confused me the most.
The Ravens looked liked Super Bowl champs crushing the Steelers in their opener then were just plain Super Bad against a very ordinary Tennessee Titans team. You do not expect that type of letdown from Ray Lewis and company.
For that reason alone I am looking for a big bounce back this week from the Ravens when they visit the injury-ravaged Rams.
After a big step forward last season the Rams will be desperate to avoid starting the season 0-3 but with workhorse running back Steven Jackson on the limp, gaining mileage against a tough Ravens run defence will be difficult.
Baltimore held Tennessee’s Chris Johnson to a measly 53 yards last week but the problem was a leaky pass defence that Matt Hasselbeck was able to exploit.
Ravens QB Joe Flacco has been doing a good Jekyll and Hyde impression, throwing for three touchdowns against the Steelers then serving up two interceptions to the Titans.
Bottom line. Losing does not sit well with the Ravens.
After their last eight defeats, the Ravens have responded with eight big wins. Make that nine.
Take the Ravens and give up the 3.5.
- – - -
New York Giants (1-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)
(Line: Eagles minus-7.5)
Ok, the $100 million question hanging over this one is will concussed Eagles quarterback Michael Vick play? Nothing has been confirmed but all signs point to Vick being under centre on Sunday when the Giants pay a visit.
While the football world has been focused on Vick’s headache, the New Yorkers have bigger problems with an injury list that includes wide receiver Mario Manningham (concussion), receiver and return specialist Domenik Hixon (torn knee ligaments), defensive end Osi Umenyiora (knee), first-round draft pick Prince Amukamara (foot) and tight end Travis Beckum (hamstring).
Already out for the season with torn knee ligaments are starting middle linebacker Jonathan Goff, cornerback Terrell Thomas and reserves Clint Sintim and Brian Witherspoon.
Second-round draft choice Marvin Austin (torn pectoral muscle), cornerback Bruce Johnson (Achilles) and backup quarterback Sage Rosenfels (illness) are also on injured reserve.
OUCH.
If Vick is unable to go Mike (who is this gu?y) Kafka is expected to get the start.
While Kafka represents a serious drop-off, he will have a full complement of weapons to choose from including big play threats DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy and Jeremy Maclin.
Eagles wide receiver Steve Smith, who caught passes for the Giants the last four seasons, gets his first crack at his former team.
The Giants may have some success running the ball but Eli Manning could be in for a long day against a five-star Eagles pass rush and secondary.
The New Yorkers have lost the last six meetings between the longtime rivals and are still stinking from last year’s humiliating defeat when they coughed up 28 points in the last eight minutes allowing the Eagles to comeback and claim an unlikely 38-31 win.
Vick or no Vick, the Giants are too banged up to pose too much of problem to the Eagles, who will be looking to bounce back from a tough loss to the Atlanta Falcons last week.
The Eagles have landed. Take the Eagles and give up the 7.5.
- – - -
Atlanta Falcons (1-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1)
(Line: Falcons plus 1.5)
The Falcons were tipped by a lot of people as Super Bowl material but have yet to display a champions pedigree after being demolished by the Bears in Week 1 and then squeaking past the Eagles in Week 2.
It is only Week 3 but it is crunch time for the Falcons as they fly south to take on NFL South rivals Tampa in a key early-season clash.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan finally looked in sync last week firing a career-high four touchdown passes in a comeback win over Philly but success in Tampa is likely to hinge on running back Michael Turner.
Only the St. Louis Rams have a worse run defence than the Buccaneers who are giving up an average of 156 yards a game on the ground.
Turner is among the NFL’s early rushing leaders ranking sixth with 214 yards.
Tampa QB Josh Freeman is the master of the comebacks and did it again last week rallying the Bucs to a win over the Vikings.
The Falcons are chasing their fifth straight win at Raymond James Stadium.
Games between these two NFC rivals have been traditionally close with the Falcons coming out on top. Getting points is a bonus.
The Bucs stop here.
Take the Falcons and the 1.5.
Had a Baltimore Ravens type Sunday last week, going 2-4 after a brilliant (if I do say so) 5-1 start to the season. But like the Ravens, I look for a big bounce back in Week 3.
Record: 7-5. Last week 2-4; Pick of the Week: 2-0
PICK OF THE WEEK
Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) at San Diego Chargers (1-1)
(Line: Chargers minus-14.5)
The Chargers usually play with about as much energy as a dead battery early in the season but I am not expecting the Bolts will need to dig deep to blow out the dreadful Chiefs, who have been outscored 89-10 in their opening two games.
Even on a good day, the Chiefs have not fared well at Qualcomm Stadium, recording just one win in their last seven visits, including a 31-0 pummeling last season.
All signs point to another thrashing.
A bad season just keeps getting worse for KC, who have already lost All-Pro running back Jamaal Charles and safety Eric Berry to season ending injuries.
The Chiefs have been a turnover machine handing over the ball nine times in two games and sit last in scoring and rushing.
The Detroit Lions’ Matthew Stafford and St. Louis Rams’ Sam Bradford each shredded the Chiefs secondary for four touchdown passes and now face a quality Chargers offence led by Philip Rivers.
The Chargers laboured to a win over the Minnesota Vikings at home in their opener and then turned in a sloppy effort losing to the Patriots but only Tom Brady and super-rookie Cam Newton have tossed for more yards through the first two weeks.
The Chargers also tend to play better at home going 12-2 in their last 14 regular season games and I love those powder blue uniforms.
Unless Southern California slips into the Pacific this one is a lock.
Lightning strikes. Take the Bolts and give up the 14.5.
- – - -
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1) at Carolina Panthers (0-2)
(Line: Panthers minus-3.5)
Panthers super rookie Cam Newton could pass for a gazillion yards this season but it will not mean much unless he can produce a few wins.
The Panthers triggerman, who has indeed impressed tossing for a rookie record 854 yards in his first two contests, will get a chance on Sunday to prove there is some steak to go along with that sizzle.
Newton has played in just two games but compared to Jaguars rookie pivot Blaine Gabbert, who will be making his first career start, he is a grizzled veteran.
That stench coming out of Jacksonville is the smell of desperation as coach Jack Del Rio searches for a quarterback.
After cutting loose incumbent QB David Garrard just before the season opener, Del Rio needed only two weeks to decide Luke McCown was not the answer.
Jacksonville ranks 30th in passing after two games, McCown getting the hook after tossing four interceptions in a 32-3 loss to the New York Jets.
The Jaguars have a quality running back Maurice Jones-Drew and … umm, well let us leave it at that.
The Panthers have the NFL’s second ranked offense and second ranked passing attack. Wide receiver Steve Smith leads the league in receiving yards with 334.
While Newton’s aerial show has been grabbing the headlines, look for the Panthers to try for a more balanced attack with running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart getting work.
Playing at home and with Chicago, New Orleans and Atlanta in the on deck circle, I’ve got to believe this is a game the Panthers have had circled for a while.
This looks like a purrr-fect spot for Panthers win.
Take the Panthers give up the 3.5.
- – - -
Detroit Lions (2-0) at Minnesota Vikings (0-2)
(Line: Lions minus-3.5)
Having lived in Detroit the previous four years, including that miserable 0-16 season, I have been slow to jump on the Lions bandwagon.
The vibe has not been this upbeat in the Motown since Stevie Wonder and the Supremes were churning out gold records.
But now it Ndamukong Suh recording the hits as the Lions bid for their first 3-0 start since 1980.
Counting last season and the pre-season games, the Lions are on a nine-game winning streak, including a 48-3 thrashing of the Kansas City Chiefs, and I can see no reason for it to end at the Mall of the Americas.
Matthew Stafford to Calvin Johnson are as good as any pass-catch combo in the league.
The Lions finally have an offense that has teeth, ranking second in league scoring while Johnson is tied for the lead in touchdown catches with four.
Led by Suh, the Lions defence has shown some bite with eight takeaways.
About the only thing the Vikings have going for them is the running of Adrian Peterson and history.
Peterson ranks fourth in rushing with 218 yards in two games while the Lions have not won in Minny since 1997, a run of 13 straight losses.
Fire up the bandwagon – I’m in.
Take the Lions and give up the 3.5.
- – - -
Baltimore Ravens (1-1) at St. Louis Rams (0-2)
(Line: Ravens minus-3.5)
Of all the letdowns last week this is the one that confused me the most.
The Ravens looked liked Super Bowl champs crushing the Steelers in their opener then were just plain Super Bad against a very ordinary Tennessee Titans team. You do not expect that type of letdown from Ray Lewis and company.
For that reason alone I am looking for a big bounce back this week from the Ravens when they visit the injury-ravaged Rams.
After a big step forward last season the Rams will be desperate to avoid starting the season 0-3 but with workhorse running back Steven Jackson on the limp, gaining mileage against a tough Ravens run defence will be difficult.
Baltimore held Tennessee’s Chris Johnson to a measly 53 yards last week but the problem was a leaky pass defence that Matt Hasselbeck was able to exploit.
Ravens QB Joe Flacco has been doing a good Jekyll and Hyde impression, throwing for three touchdowns against the Steelers then serving up two interceptions to the Titans.
Bottom line. Losing does not sit well with the Ravens.
After their last eight defeats, the Ravens have responded with eight big wins. Make that nine.
Take the Ravens and give up the 3.5.
- – - -
New York Giants (1-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)
(Line: Eagles minus-7.5)
Ok, the $100 million question hanging over this one is will concussed Eagles quarterback Michael Vick play? Nothing has been confirmed but all signs point to Vick being under centre on Sunday when the Giants pay a visit.
While the football world has been focused on Vick’s headache, the New Yorkers have bigger problems with an injury list that includes wide receiver Mario Manningham (concussion), receiver and return specialist Domenik Hixon (torn knee ligaments), defensive end Osi Umenyiora (knee), first-round draft pick Prince Amukamara (foot) and tight end Travis Beckum (hamstring).
Already out for the season with torn knee ligaments are starting middle linebacker Jonathan Goff, cornerback Terrell Thomas and reserves Clint Sintim and Brian Witherspoon.
Second-round draft choice Marvin Austin (torn pectoral muscle), cornerback Bruce Johnson (Achilles) and backup quarterback Sage Rosenfels (illness) are also on injured reserve.
OUCH.
If Vick is unable to go Mike (who is this gu?y) Kafka is expected to get the start.
While Kafka represents a serious drop-off, he will have a full complement of weapons to choose from including big play threats DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy and Jeremy Maclin.
Eagles wide receiver Steve Smith, who caught passes for the Giants the last four seasons, gets his first crack at his former team.
The Giants may have some success running the ball but Eli Manning could be in for a long day against a five-star Eagles pass rush and secondary.
The New Yorkers have lost the last six meetings between the longtime rivals and are still stinking from last year’s humiliating defeat when they coughed up 28 points in the last eight minutes allowing the Eagles to comeback and claim an unlikely 38-31 win.
Vick or no Vick, the Giants are too banged up to pose too much of problem to the Eagles, who will be looking to bounce back from a tough loss to the Atlanta Falcons last week.
The Eagles have landed. Take the Eagles and give up the 7.5.
- – - -
Atlanta Falcons (1-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1)
(Line: Falcons plus 1.5)
The Falcons were tipped by a lot of people as Super Bowl material but have yet to display a champions pedigree after being demolished by the Bears in Week 1 and then squeaking past the Eagles in Week 2.
It is only Week 3 but it is crunch time for the Falcons as they fly south to take on NFL South rivals Tampa in a key early-season clash.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan finally looked in sync last week firing a career-high four touchdown passes in a comeback win over Philly but success in Tampa is likely to hinge on running back Michael Turner.
Only the St. Louis Rams have a worse run defence than the Buccaneers who are giving up an average of 156 yards a game on the ground.
Turner is among the NFL’s early rushing leaders ranking sixth with 214 yards.
Tampa QB Josh Freeman is the master of the comebacks and did it again last week rallying the Bucs to a win over the Vikings.
The Falcons are chasing their fifth straight win at Raymond James Stadium.
Games between these two NFC rivals have been traditionally close with the Falcons coming out on top. Getting points is a bonus.
The Bucs stop here.
Take the Falcons and the 1.5.
