Eagles vs. Buccaneers Updated Odds and Prediction: What Bettors Need to Know for NFC Wild Card Weekend

The Philadelphia Eagles have been fighting tooth and nail all season to make it to the playoffs. Now that they made it, they face their toughest challenge yet against the defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At certain points, the Eagles have looked like two different teams this season. The Eagles from earlier in the year at 3-6 and the Eagles from the second half of the season at 6-2. The latter managed to secure the last seed in the NFC after giving up on their passing attack and becoming a run-first offense. They are also run-second and third on most drives. 

The Buccaneers, meanwhile, are back in the playoffs against an NFC East opponent. Tampa Bay had their ups and downs this year but are a hefty favorite in this game at home. They closed out the season with three straight wins after being shut out by the Saints and went 7-1 down the stretch. 

Here are the updated odds for this round one matchup, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

Eagles vs. Buccaneers Updated Odds, Spread, and Total

Spread:

• Eagles: +8.5 (-110) / Opened +9.5
• Buccaneers: -8.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

• Eagles: +300
• Buccaneers: -400

Total:

• 46 (Over -110/Under -110) / Opened 49

Eagles vs. Buccaneers Betting Trends

• The Eagles are 4-2 against the spread (ATS) in their last six games.
• The Eagles are 3-6 straight up (SU) in their last nine games against the Buccaneers. 
• The Eagles are 5-0 ATS in their last five games against the NFC South. 
• The OVER is 4-1 in the Eagles’ last five games against the Buccaneers.  
• The Buccaneers are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games. 
• The OVER is 5-2 in the last seven games between these two teams. 
• The Buccaneers are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games against the NFC East.

Eagles vs. Buccaneers Prediction and Pick

While the Eagles had a very impressive second half of the season, I am not sure their quality of play was the only reason for that success. Their competition was very weak and they played only three teams with a winning record in the last 9 weeks of the season. One of those teams was the Dallas Cowboys who beat them 51-26 last weekend. So, while their second-half wins got them to the playoffs, they did not prepare them for this game.

The Eagles had the luxury of playing in a terrible division and played the Giants and WFT twice down the stretch along with the Jets and Lions -- not to mention that they lost to the Giants a few weeks back. In the first half of the season, they played five eventual playoff teams and lost every single one of those games. One of those losses was to the Buccaneers back in October. The final score was 28-22 but Tampa Bay dominated Philly and led by 21 late in the third before giving up some garbage time points. 

One knock against the Buccaneers in the playoffs is the loss of Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown. However, Tom Brady went back to old faithful Rob Gronkowski last week and he stepped up. Gronk has gone over 100 yards receiving in two straight games and will be a very important piece in the Bucs run to the Super Bowl. 

While I don’t think the Eagles get away with an upset here, I don’t think the Buccaneers' offense is dangerous enough right now to warrant an 8.5 point spread. The Eagles will likely fall, but they will not go down without a fight on the road. Jalen Hurts wants to redeem himself after passing for just 115 yards the last time these two teams played and I like his chances to perform well here. While Brady is still the GOAT, even he needs weapons and his arsenal is running a bit thin these days. Give me the points and the Eagles on the road here to keep it competitive in round one. 

Prediction: Philadelphia Eagles +8.5 (-110)