Bucs at Eagles Pick
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be searching for their first win of the 2009 season when they travel to Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday to take on the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Bucs dropped to 0-4 on the year after losing in Washington 16-13 last Sunday. Josh Johnson threw for just 106 yards, although he threw his first touchdown of the year as Tampa covered as 9.5-point underdogs.
The Eagles are coming off a bye, but did defeat the Chiefs 34-14 in Week 3 as 9-point favorites. Kevin Kolb threw for 327 yards with two touchdowns and one TD run, while DeSean Jackson caught six passes for 149 yards and a touchdown.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SPORTSBETTING.com have made the Eagles a massive 15-point favorite over the Bucs on Sunday. The over/under total for this matchup has been set at 43.
This is a huge point spread, but with Donovan McNabb expected to play for the Eagles, it’s certainly not unfathomable that Philadelphia can cover the 15 points.
Since the Bucs covered last week, the notion will be to take them and the points. But they covered against a bad Washington team that probably didn’t deserve to be a 9.5-point favorite as it were.
Tampa is starting an inexperienced quarterback, will be on the road for the second straight week, and has had major issues defensively. As long as McNabb is healthy, the Eagles should roll.
Punt the points and take Philadelphia in what should be a high-scoring game. The Eagles might cover the over by themselves.
Our NFL Week 5 Free Pick for this matchup is: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES –15 and OVER 43.
407 Tampa Bay Buccaneers +15 Over 43
408 Philadelphia Eagles –15 Under 43
Tampa Bay is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Tampa Bay’s last 14 games on the road
Philadelphia is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Gaines Adams, DE, Missed Thursday Practice (ankle)
Torrie Cox, CB, Missed Thursday Practice (ankle)
Jeff Faine, C, Missed Thursday Practice (triceps)
Earnest Graham, RB, Missed Thursday Practice (hamstring)
Kyle Moore, DE, Missed Thursday Practice (knee)
Antonio Bryant, WR, Limited Thursday Practice (knee)
Brian Clark, WR, Limited Thursday Practice (dehydration)
Michael Clayton, WR, Full Thursday Practice (ribs)
Geno Hayes, LB, Full Thursday Practice (knee)
Byron Leftwich, QB, Full Thursday Practice (hip)
Derrick Ward, RB, Full Thursday Practice (knee)
Philadelphia Eagles
Todd Herremans, G, Missed Thursday Practice (foot)
Kevin Curtis, WR, Full Thursday Practice (knee)
Quintin Demps, S, Full Thursday Practice (hamstring)
Max Jean-Gilles, G, Full Thursday Practice (shoulder)
Donovan McNabb, QB, Full Thursday Practice (rib)
Dimitri Patterson, CB, Full Thursday Practice (hand)
Brian Westbrook, RB, Full Thursday Practice (ankle)
Posted: 10/11/09 8:00AM ET