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Buccaneers at Chargers: Game preview, odds, prediction

By Brad Weiss

Nov 27, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) smiles as he pumps his fist against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Seattle Seahawks 14-5. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) smiles as he pumps his fist against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Seattle Seahawks 14-5. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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In a matchup of two teams playing very good football as of late, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will head west to take on the San Diego Chargers.

Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers actually look good as of late, as this team of young stars are starting to band together. In Week 11, the team did what is nearly impossible, going on the road and beating the Kansas City Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium. This past weekend, they strangled the Seattle Seahawks offense in a 14-5 victory.

Their opponent on Sunday, San Diego, has also been on a hot streak, winning four of their last six games. This past weekend, they picked up a nice road win against AFC South-leading Houston, beating the Texans in their own building, 21-13. Quarterback Philip Rivers continues to perform at a Pro Bowl level, and the team is getting contributions all over the field.

One big reason for their recent success has been the play of Joey Bosa, their 2016 first round selection out of Ohio State. After struggling to get healthy enough to get on the field, Bosa has been a monster up front for the Chargers, and is the game changer the team was hoping for when they took him high in this past draft. San Diego is a very good football team, and had it not been for some early season follies late in games, they could be holding serve with the other teams in their division.

Odds

Line: SD (-3.5)
Over/Under: 47.5

This is going to be one of the better games on the slate in Week 13, as both teams are still searching for their identities. Winston has repeatedly said that his team is better than their record, and the Chargers could make the argument that they could sneak into the playoff picture. It is going to be interesting to see how Winston does against the Chargers defense, which has looked so much better in recent weeks.

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Rivers has made the most of this roster this season, as the offense has suffered through some devastating losses to key players. Melvin Gordon has looked very good at times in his second season as the team’s starting running back, and Hunter Henry has teamed with Antonio Gates to form a nice 1-2 tight end combo. The issue will be moving the ball against a Tampa Bay defense that all of a sudden looks very tough.

This one is going to go down to the wire, but I like San Diego to win the game on Sunday. Winston and his teammates are coming off two huge wins, but the Chargers will offer them a different task. The Buccaneers secondary has played well lately, but I am not sold that they can withstand the constant attacks from Rivers in this one.

Prediction: San Diego 34, Tampa Bay 28

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