Saints vs. Bucs Pick
Will the Saints and Bucs rack up enough points to push the combined score over the betting today on Sunday at 4:25PM ET?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Bucs are now 2.5-point home favorites over the Saints after opening as a 3-point favorite. As for the total, the number hit the board at 51 and has been bet up slightly to 51.5.
The Saints are coming off a 28-13 loss to the Lions last Sunday in New Orleans and may have kissed a playoff berth goodbye in the process. They're now two full games behind the Falcons and Buccaneers in the NFC South, with just four games to play in the 2016 season. Despite New Orleans falling to 5-7 straight up, the Saints are 8-4 against the spread this season.
The Buccaneers are red-hot, winning five straight games to jump into a first-place tie with the Falcons in the NFC South. They're also 7-5 against the spread, covering in all four games that they've won over the past month. Ironically, where they've struggled is at home this season, going just 2-4 both straight up and against the spread at Raymond James Stadium.
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OUR PREDICTION: One would think that this will be a high-scoring game but the under has been a great bet in previous meetings between these two teams. The under has cashed in seven of the last eight meetings between these two teams in Tampa and 12-3 in the last 15 meetings overall. The Bucs' four-game winning streak has coincided with their defense playing much better under new coordinator Mike Smith. The front four is getting after the passer better at this time of the year than at any point this season and Drew Brees could be without one of his top play-makers in receiver Michael Thomas, who is dealing with a foot injury. The total is set too high for this divisional matchup.
NFL WEEK 14 PREDICTION: SAINTS/BUCS UNDER 51.5