Saints Aim for Division Crown and Continued Dominance over Bucs

Not many people had the Saints pegged as one of the NFC’s top contenders entering the season, but they’re in a position to clinch first place in the NFC South with a win vs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team they’ve owned in recent seasons. New Orleans has won 10 of the last 12 games in this matchup, including a 30-10 annihilation in November.

Shark Bites
  • The Buccaneers are 7-20 ATS in their last 27 games at home in December.
  • The Saints are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games vs divisional opponents.
  • The Saints are 11-0 SU and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games as favorite.

It shouldn’t come as much of a shock to see the Saints favored in the 7-point range for the game in Tampa and bettors will be interested to know that New Orleans has performed well in this spot. The Saints are 2-0 SU and ATS as a road favorite this season, while the Bucs have an unprofitable history as a home underdog, going 10-19-1 ATS in their last 30.

Despite being on a five-game SU losing streak, the Buccaneers have shown some minor signs of life as their last three losses were all by just three points. They’ve also been dramatically better on defense when they play at home where they allow just 17.7 points per game, compared with 29.2 on the road. Ironically enough, though, the Saints defense does its best work on the road, allowing just 16.4 points outside of New Orleans.

The game features the highest total of the week at 50.5 which is a mark these teams have topped in just one of their last six matchups. Going UNDER in Tampa Bay is actually the norm for these teams, as they’ve gone below the total in eight of their last nine games there.

Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick

The point spread was settled in at 7.5 for the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier in the week, according to Sportsbook. The OVER/UNDER betting line was hovering around 50, with odds movement expected during the week at Sportsbook.

A 27-25 result in favor of the Buccaneers was the prediction by the OddsShark handicapping pick engine earlier this week. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NFL matchups here.

New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers sport a record of 4-11 and 5-9-1 ATS heading into this betting matchup, while the New Orleans Saints sit at 11-4 and 8-7 ATS on the season. The OVER/UNDER totals records are 7-8 for the Buccaneers and 8-7 for the Saints. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Tampa Bay vs New Orleans injuries news.

The OddsShark Power Rankings have the Buccaneers at No. 22 and the Saints at No. 5 heading into this contest.

Statistical Matchup

The game also pits Tampa Bay's No. 20-ranked offense, averaging 20.27 PPG, against a Saints defense that ranks No. 8 this week at 19.67 PPG. The Buccaneers aerial game is averaging 268.2 yards per game, more than the Saints secondary allows through the air, 216.8 YPG per game.

In comparing defenses, the Saints own the league's No. 14-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 112.71 yards per game when on the road. Tampa Bay, on the other hand, rates No. 22 this week in generating rushing yards at home.

Recent Outings Betting Recap

The Saints grabbed a Week 16 victory over the Falcons in their last game, winning 23-13 at Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Jameis Winston led the way last time out for the Buccaneers, connecting for 367 passing yards, but failing to earn the victory in a 22-19 loss to the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.

Betting Trends
  • New Orleans is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
  • New Orleans is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games
  • New Orleans is 12-4-1 ATS in its last 17 games on the road
  • New Orleans is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
  • Tampa Bay is 4-9-1 ATS in its last 14 games
  • Tampa Bay is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
  • The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Tampa Bay's last 9 games
  • Tampa Bay is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
The Buccaneers are 7-20 ATS in their last 27 games at home in December.home The Saints are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games vs divisional opponents.away The Saints are 11-0 SU and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games as favorite.away
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