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Saints at Buccaneers: Game preview, odds, prediction

By John Buhler

Dec 13, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Tony McDaniel (77) tackles New Orleans Saints running back Tim Hightower (34) for a loss of yards during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. New Orleans Saints defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Tony McDaniel (77) tackles New Orleans Saints running back Tim Hightower (34) for a loss of yards during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. New Orleans Saints defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the New Orleans Saints on Sunday afternoon. Here is the game preview, the betting odds, and a final score prediction.

We’ll have a full slate of 16 games in the NFL during Week 14. One of the most important games on tap this weekend will be between the New Orleans Saints (5-7) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kickoff from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa will be at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, Dec. 11. FOX will have the telecast.

New Orleans is 5-7 on the year and two games back of both the Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons (7-5) in the NFC South standings. Realistically, the Saints need to go at least 2-1, probably 3-0 in their remaining NFC South games against Atlanta and Tampa Bay to have any shot at winning the division.

Tampa Bay is 7-5 on the season and is tied atop the NFC South standings with Atlanta. The Falcons have a slim tiebreaker over the Buccaneers entering Week 14 because of a better win/loss record in the NFC South.

A win over the Saints would have the Buccaneers and Falcons even more tied atop the NFC South at 3-1 in the division. It will come down to the ever popular strength of tiebreaker between the Buccaneers and the Falcons should they both win in Week 14.

Odds

Point Spread: Tampa Bay -2.5
Money lines: Tampa Bay -145, New Orleans +125
Over/Under: 51.5

According to OddsShark.com, the Buccaneers will be laying only 2.5 points at home to the visiting Saints. The money lines for this game are Tampa Bay -145 and New Orleans +125. This game’s over/under comes in at 51.5 points.

Here are the trends to know with the Saints: 1.) New Orleans is 6-2-1 against the spread in its last nine games. 2.) The Saints have gone under in five of their last seven games. 3.) They are 6-0-1 against the spread in their last seven road games. 4.) New Orleans has gone under in six of its last eight road games. 5.) The Saints are 2-4 against the spread in their last six games against Tampa Bay.

Here are the trends to know with the Buccaneers: 1.) Tampa Bay is 4-1 straight up and against the spread in its last five games. 2.) The Buccaneers are 2-6 against the spread in their last eight home games. 3.) They are 5-18 straight up in their last 23 home games. 4.) Tampa Bay has gone over in five of its last seven games at home.

This is a desperation game for the Saints. They will have to give their best effort of the season to thwart at Tampa Bay team that is playing incredible in the second half of the year. Being a divisional rivalry, it could easily go either way. Neither team will be overlooking this game in the slightest.

Go with the over in this one, as the Saints will need to win a shootout at Raymond James to have any hopes at making the NFC Playoffs. It will be very difficult for the Saints to stifle the Buccaneers’ second half momentum.

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However, Raymond James Stadium has been a house of horrors for the Buccaneers in recent years. The improving Mike Smith Tampa Bay defense will be the difference in this game. Tampa Bay covers to stay atop the NFC South with the rival Falcons entering Week 15. New Orleans essentially falls out of the NFC Playoff picture with a tough road loss to the Buccaneers.

Pick: Buccaneers 30, Saints 26

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