The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-1 SU, 4-3 ATS) are 0-5 SU and ATS in their last five regular-season games against the New Orleans Saints (4-2, 3-3). The Buccaneers will try to snap that regular-season losing streak Sunday with a road win in New Orleans.
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Buccaneers opened as 4-point road favorites and have since been bet up to Tampa Bay -5. The total has also moved up slightly to 50 points after originally Sportsbook at 49.5 points. New Orleans is 7-3 SU over its last 10 home games.
Tampa Bay News & Notes
Tampa Bay had one of its most complete four-quarter efforts of the season last Sunday in a 38-3 blowout win over the Chicago Bears. Tom Brady went 20-for-36 with 211 passing yards and four touchdowns and Leonard Fournette led a rushing attack that had 182 yards on 31 carries. The Buccaneers defense held the Bears to 311 total yards and three points while forcing five turnovers.
The Buccanneers had two of their worst regular-season games in 2020 against the Saints. New Orleans beat Tampa Bay 34-23 at home and 38-3 in Tampa in those two games. The two division rivals met in the playoffs and Tampa Bay got the last laugh, snapping a five-game losing streak against the Saints with a 30-20 win. Will that win carry over into regular-season success against New Orleans?
New Orleans News & Notes
The Saints won’t get many style points for their win on Monday night as 5.5-point favorites on the road against the Seattle Seahawks, but they got the job done in a 13-10 victory to improve to 4-2 SU on the season. Jameis Winston completed 19 of his 35 pass attempts for 222 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.
Winston’s transformation into a reliable game manager has been an amazing one. In his last season as a starter in Tampa Bay, he led the NFL in passing yards with 5,109 but also had a league-high 30 interceptions. This season he has averaged only 185.7 passing yards per game but has generally protected the ball and made good decisions as suggested by his 13-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
How Tampa Bay Will Cover
Tampa Bay has jumped out to double-digit halftime leads in each of its last three games. Another hot start in New Orleans would force the Saints out of their comfort zone on offense. The Buccaneers have multiple paths to a cover, but a hot start and hold are one of the more likely ones.
How New Orleans Will Cover
New Orleans ranks eighth in total defense (allowing 331.5 total yards per game) and third in scoring defense (16.3 points per game). A strong defensive performance against the Buccaneers would allow the Saints offense to keep this one close, leading to a cover or even an upset win.
Computer Pick: New Orleans +5
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