Seattle Seahawks vs. Tampa Bay Bucs Preview
Where: Raymond James Stadium – Tampa, Florida
When: Sunday, November 27, 4:05 PM ET
Line: Seattle Seahawks (-5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+5); total 44.5 – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: FOX
Writer’s Pick: Seattle Seahawks (-5)
NFL News and Previews
- Washington Redskins vs. Kansas City Chiefs Preview - October 2, 2017
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- 2017 NFL Week 4 Picks and Predictions
Betting on the Seattle Seahawks (-5)
The Seahawks are doing that thing where they get hot in the second half of the season once again. They’ve now won three games in a row against three fairly good teams in the Bills (31-25), Patriots (31-24), and Eagles (26-15) to improve to 7-2-1 (5-4-1 against the spread) on the season. Seattle went 8-2 to end last season, and went 9-1 in 2014.
This season’s surge has unsurprisingly coincided with Russell Wilson’s return to full health. Wilson is moving so much better after his early-season injuries, and his ability to scramble and extend plays has unleashed the Seattle passing game. Wilson is averaging over 9 yards per pass with a 6-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio during their current win streak.
The ground game’s emergence has also been a big boost to the offense. Rookie C.J. Prosise has been a big part of that resurgence, but he injured his shoulder in their win over Philadelphia, and may miss the rest of the season. Thomas Rawls is back from injury, though, and had 57 yards on 14 carries on his return against the Eagles.
Meanwhile, the excellent Seattle defense continues to do the business. It limited the Eagles to 4.2 yards per play, and forced two more turnovers. The Seahawks are plus-five in turnover margin over the past three games. They now face off with Jameis Winston, who is always liable to make a handful of costly errors, especially against elite defenses.
Betting on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+5)
The Bucs have been awesome road warriors this season. Of their five wins, four have been away from Raymond James Stadium, including their most recent 19-17 triumph over the previously 7-2 Kansas City Chiefs.
Unfortunately, Tampa Bay will be at home for its matchup with the Seattle Seahawks. The Bucs are 1-4 straight up and against the spread at home this season, and dating back to their last 20 home games, they are just 4-16 (6-14 against the spread). However, their last home assignment was an impressive 36-10 win against the Bears.
Winston played a solid game against a very good Chiefs defense. He passed for over 300 yards for the second consecutive game, and also had zero interceptions. He’s thrown just one pick in his past four games.
It remains to be seen if he can remain as effective against the Legion of Boom, though. The suffocating defenses of the Cardinals and Broncos have already forced Winston to two of the worst games of his career earlier this season, and the Seahawks have the ability to do the same.
The team’s defense could also be in some trouble against a quarterback who can actually pass the ball downfield. (No offense, Alex Smith.) Matt Ryan (344 yards, 4 TDs) and Derek Carr (513 yards, 4 TDs) absolutely tore the Bucs secondary apart in back-to-back weeks just a few weeks ago.
Writer’s Prediction
It’s just hard to bet against the Seahawks right now, and at this time of year. They just look as if they’re getting it all together – again. Winston won’t be able to throw as effectively against the Seahawks secondary, while Wilson has the ability to torch the Bucs downfield. Take the Seahawks (-5) to win, 31-17.
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