Buccaneers at Saints: Preview, prediction, odds and pick
By John Buhler
The New Orleans Saints will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon. Here is the game preview, the betting odds and a final score prediction.
We’ve got an exciting game going on in the NFC this week between two rival teams. The game we’re referring to is the one between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-5) and the New Orleans Saints (5-2). Kickoff from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans will be at 1:00 p.m. ET on Nov. 5. Thom Brennaman and Chris Spielman will be in the booth to call the game for FOX.
Tampa Bay is in free fall. The Buccaneers are losers of four straight games and find themselves at least two games back of everybody else in the NFC South race. Tampa Bay needs a win in the worst way, as the Buccaneers are only 2-5 on the year. This was supposed to be the year they’d right the ship, but here we are.
New Orleans is one of the hottest teams in football at the halfway point. The Saints have won five straight games after a 0-2 start to be the best team in the NFC South entering Week 9. With Drew Brees being in the final year of his contract with New Orleans, maybe this will be the year of the Saints? They have looked impressive in the first half.
Betting Odds
Point Spread: New Orleans -7
Moneylines: New Orleans -275, Tampa Bay +250
Over/Under: 50.5
According to OddsShark, the Saints will be laying seven points at home to the visiting Buccaneers. The associated moneylines for this game are New Orleans -275 and Tampa Bay +250. This game’s over/under comes in at a combined 50.5 points.
New Orleans is the better team and is playing better ball in the first two months of the season. That will matter in this game, but will the Saints be able to cover the seven-point spread? Tampa Bay does seem to play better ball away from home for some reason. Maybe the Buccaneers will keep it interesting?
Though many might be expecting a high-scoring shootout in the Big Easy, that may not be the case in this one. Tampa Bay managed to score three points at home against the Carolina Panthers. In essence, the Saints’ improving defense isn’t going to let the Buccaneers find pay dirt four times in this game.
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Who will find pay dirt four times in this game will be the Saints. Look for Drew Brees to throw for three touchdown passes and Mark Ingram will punch in another. The Saints win and cover the seven-point spread, but the point total does go under in this division rivalry game.
Prediction: Saints 28, Buccaneers 20