New Orleans Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Preview
Where: Raymond James Stadium – Tampa, Florida
When: Sunday, December 11, 2016 – 4:25 PM ET
Line: New Orleans Saints (+3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3); total: 51.0 – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: FOX
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Betting on the New Orleans Saints (+3)
The Saints became the latest victim of the surging Detroit Lions, as they got clobbered, 28-13. Their offense was kept out of the field for much of the game, only registering 23 minutes of possession.
Drew Brees still had a typical night in terms of passing yards, as he threw for 326. However, he wasn’t able to throw a single touchdown and was picked three times.
The QB wasn’t alone in having a messy outing, though. The run game was almost non-existent, producing a measly 50 yards, along with a forgettable one-yard TD.
The loss dropped the Saints to a 5-7 record, which further hurt their playoff chances. They will be on a tough chase with division rivals Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are both 7-5.
Brees and company, who produce the most yardage in the league, with 5,144 total yards (428.6 per game), will have a good chance to get their rhythm back against the Bucs’ average pass and run defense.
As for their consistently mediocre defense, it’s the secondary that could be blasted the most. They are 24th in defending the pass and will be going up against the rising passing duo of James Winston and the 6’5, 231lb-receiver Mike Evans.
The Saints are 3-3 SU (5-0-1) in their six road games this season.
Betting on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3)
How about these Buccaneers? With the 28-21 victory over the Chargers, they stretch their winning streak to four and are now tied for first place in the NFC South. You’d be lying if you say that you’re not surprised.
Jameis Winston showed glimpses of the future Sunday when he drove the Bucs for a go-ahead score in the final period. The second-year QB has been quite instrumental in the team’s current streak. In those four wins, he’s averaging 285.7 passing yards and has a 6-3 TD-INT ratio.
The good QB play is right on time, as the offense is suffering through an inconsistent run game. First-string back Doug Martin has been back for a couple of games, but it seems like the hamstring injury is still bothering him. Since returning, he has only ran for 228 yards on an awful 2.8 yards per carry.
His back-up, Jacquizz Rodgers, who had two games with 100-plus yards before hurting his foot, also returned to action, but was only able to get seven carries for 29 yards.
Against the Saints this coming week, the Bucs will have to be prepared for a shootout. The Bucs’ are ranked somewhere in the teens in the points (23 PPG) and yards (362.2 total YPG) department.
Their defense is just average. They are 13th and 16th in passing and rushing yards allowed, respectively. Stopping the run has been their biggest problem, as they have allowed 100-plus yards in nine of their 12 games this season.
The Bucs have won back-to-back home games (2-0 ATS).
Writer’s Prediction
Tampa wins, 32-24.
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