Bucs vs. Saints Pick
NFC South rivals square off at the Louisiana Superdome in Week 16, as the New Orleans Saints host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 1:00PM ET.
The Buccaneers beat the Seahawks 24-7 as a 6.5-point underdog in Week 15, as the combined score fell under the posted total of 39 points. Rookie quarterback Josh Freeman threw for two touchdowns and an interception, while tight end Kellen Winslow caught six passes for 93 yards in the win.
The Saints lost 24-17 to the Cowboys in Week 16, which was the first loss of the season. New Orleans failed to cover the 7.5-point spread, while the combined score went under the posted total of 53.5 points. Drew Brees finished with 298 yards and a touchdown in the loss.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SPORTSBETTING.com have made the Saints 14-point favorites over the Buccaneers in Week 16. The over/under total for today’s game has been set at 49 points.
Our free pick prediction for this game is Tampa Bay +14 and the under 49. The Saints have failed to cover the spread in six of their last eight games, while the Bucs are 4-2 against the spread in their last six games on the road.
The last time these two teams met, New Orleans blasted the Bucs 38-7 in Tampa. But Freeman is playing with more confidence and the defense has been much better now that head coach Raheem Morris has taken over calling the defensive plays.
New Orleans has been fading down the stretch and while we don’t think Tampa will win outright, we like the number sitting at two touchdowns and think the Bucs will keep the game somewhat close in the second half to earn a cover.
Also, 49 points is too high for this matchup. If the Cowboys and Saints can’t even total 49 points in New Orleans, we doubt the Bucs and Saints will.
Our NFL Week 16 Free Pick for this matchup is: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS +14 and UNDER 49.
Buccaneers vs. Saints Current Odds
115 Tampa Bay Buccaneers +14 Over 49
116 New Orleans Saints –14 Under 49
Tampa Bay is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing New Orleans
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Tampa Bay’s last 8 games when playing New Orleans
New Orleans is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
New Orleans is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games
TAMPA BAY
[LB] 08/23/2009 – Angelo Crowell IR ( Bicep )
[CB] 09/20/2009 – EJ Biggers IR ( Shoulder )
[OT] 09/06/2009 – Xavier Fulton IR ( Knee )
[P] 08/17/2009 – Josh Bidwell IR ( Hip )
[S] 09/21/2009 – Jermaine Phillips IR ( Thumb )
[FB] 10/20/2009 – B.J. Askew IR ( Neck )
[S] 11/11/2009 – Will Allen IR ( Thumb )
[LB] 11/11/2009 – Rod Wilson IR ( Hamstring )
[QB] 11/24/2009 – Byron Leftwich IR ( Elbow )
[P] 11/30/2009 – Dirk Johnson IR ( Hamstring )
[WR] 12/23/2009 – Michael Clayton is upgraded to probable Sunday vs. New Orleans ( Knee )
[CB] 11/30/2009 – Torrie Cox IR ( Hip )
[CB] 12/08/2009 – Clifton Smith IR ( Concussion )
[CB] 12/20/2009 – Derrick Roberson "?" Sunday vs. New Orleans ( Groin )
[DL] 12/20/2009 – Michael Bennett "?" Sunday vs. New Orleans ( Knee )
[TE] 12/23/2009 – John Gilmore is upgraded to probable Sunday vs. New Orleans ( Illness )
[WR] 12/21/2009 – Sammie Stroughter IR ( Foot )
[FS] 12/21/2009 – Tanard Jackson injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. New Orleans ( Knee )
[WR] 12/23/2009 – Antonio Bryant "?" Sunday vs. New Orleans ( Groin )
[TE] 12/25/2009 – Kellen Winslow "?" Sunday vs. New Orleans ( Knee )
[C] 12/25/2009 – Jeff Faine injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. New Orleans ( Elbow )
NEW ORLEANS
[OL] 09/29/2009 – Jammal Brown IR ( Hip )
[TE] 09/05/2009 – Billy Miller IR ( Achilles )
[CB] 08/16/2009 – Reggie Jones IR ( Undisclosed )
[LB] 08/16/2009 – Mark Simoneau IR ( Tricep )
[FS] 09/05/2009 – Chip Vaughn IR ( Knee )
[FB] 09/05/2009 – Olaniyi Sobomehin IR ( Undisclosed )
[FB] 10/29/2009 – Heath Evans IR ( Leg )
[WR] 10/16/2009 – Rod Harper IR ( Knee )
[DT] 11/08/2009 – Kendrick Clancy IR ( Knee )
[CB] 12/23/2009 – Jabari Greer doubtful Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Groin )
[CB] 11/28/2009 – Leigh Torrence IR ( Shoulder )
[LB] 12/19/2009 – Marvin Mitchell "?" Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Hamstring )
[LB] 12/09/2009 – Jo-Lonn Dunbar IR ( Hamstring )
[DT] 12/19/2009 – Sedrick Ellis "?" Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Knee )
[TE] 12/19/2009 – Jeremy Shockey "?" Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Toe )
[RB] 12/19/2009 – Reggie Bush injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Hamstring )
[DB] 12/19/2009 – Randall Gay injured last game, "?" Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Concussion )
[FB] 12/22/2009 – Marcus Mailei IR ( Hamstring )
[S] 12/23/2009 – Darren Sharper "?" Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Knee )
[LB] 12/24/2009 – Scott Shanle "?" Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Concussion )
[CB] 12/24/2009 – Usama Young "?" Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Hip )
[WR] 12/24/2009 – Lance Moore "?" Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Ankle )
[LB] 12/25/2009 – Scott Fujita "?" Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Knee )
[OT] 12/25/2009 – Jermon Bushrod "?" Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Thumb )
[G] 12/25/2009 – Jahri Evans "?" Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Toe )
[DE] 12/25/2009 – Bobby McCray "?" Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Back )
[OT] 12/25/2009 – Jon Stinchcomb "?" Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Knee )
[C] 12/25/2009 – Jonathan Goodwin "?" Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Ankle )
[LB] 12/25/2009 – Jonathan Vilma "?" Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Knee )
[TE] 12/25/2009 – Darnell Dinkins "?" Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Foot )
Posted: 12/27/09 7:30AM ET