Last Updated on December 13, 2009 7:10 am by Anthony Rome
Jets vs. Bucs Pick
With their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the New York Jets will travel south in Week 14 when they take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 1:00PM ET on Sunday.
The Jets beat the Bills 19-13 in Week 13 as a 3-point favorite, while the combined score fell under the game’s posted total of 37 points. New York’s defense held Buffalo to 194 total yards and quarterback Mark Sanchez threw for 104 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game in the second half with a knee injury.
The Bucs lost to the Panthers 16-6 as a 3.5-point underdog in Week 13, while the combined score fell under to the posted total of 40 points. Rookie quarterback Josh Freeman threw for 321 yards with five interceptions in the loss, while receiver Antonio Bryant hauled in five passes for 115 yards.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SPORTSBETTING.com have made the Jets 3.5-point favorites against the Bucs in Week 14. The over/under total for this game has been set at 36.5 points.
The Jets are an impressive 5-0 against the spread in their last five games when playing the Bucs, but are just 3-6 against the number in their last nine games. The struggling Bucs are just 1-8 ATS in their last nine at home.
Even though the trends heavily favor the Jets in this matchup, Kellen Clemens will start for them at quarterback, which significantly changes things. Clemens struggled badly last week against a poor Buffalo defense and even though he’ll have a week to prepare for the Bucs, we don’t think he’ll improve much.
Take the Bucs and the points at home in this matchup. Freeman is improving each week and while the Jets’ pass defense has been excellent this season, Tampa is due to pick up its second win. We also favor the under in this game, which has hit in four of Tampa Bay’s last five games when playing the Jets.
Our NFL Week 14 Free Pick for this matchup is: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS +3.5 and UNDER 36.5.
Jets vs. Buccaneers Current Odds
109 New York Jets –3.5 (-190 moneyline) Over 36.5
110 Tampa Bay Buccaneers +3.5 (+165 moneyline) Under 36.5
NY Jets are 3-6 ATS in their last 9 games
NY Jets are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games
Tampa Bay is 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games when playing NY Jets
Tampa Bay is 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing NY Jets
NY JETS
[DT] 10/20/2009 – Kris Jenkins IR ( Knee )
[RB] 10/26/2009 – Leon Washington IR ( Ankle )
[CB] 12/03/2009 – Dwight Lowery is downgraded to doubtful Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Ankle )
[QB] 12/09/2009 – Mark Sanchez expected to miss Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Knee )
[CB] 12/03/2009 – Donald Strickland "?" Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Concussion )
[OL] 12/08/2009 – Robert Turner is downgraded to doubtful Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Knee )
[QB] 12/09/2009 – Kellen Clemens is expected to start Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( None )
[LB] 12/10/2009 – Larry Izzo IR ( Neck )
[CB] 12/10/2009 – Marquice Cole "?" Sunday vs. Tampa Bay ( Knee )
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] 12/10/2009 – Michael Clayton is downgraded to doubtful Sunday vs. NY Jets ( Knee )
[CB] 11/30/2009 – Torrie Cox IR ( Hip )
[CB] 12/09/2009 – Aqib Talib is upgraded to probable Sunday vs. NY Jets ( Hamstring )
[CB] 12/08/2009 – Clifton Smith IR ( Concussion )
[CB] 12/10/2009 – Derrick Roberson is downgraded to doubtful Sunday vs. NY Jets ( Groin )
[TE] 12/10/2009 – Kellen Winslow is upgraded to probable Sunday vs. NY Jets ( Knee )
Posted: 12/13/09 7:10AM ET