2. Tampa Bay at New Orleans
LINE: New Orleans -3 (52 point total)
POINT TOTAL PICK: Under
– Bet on this, BetMGM latest line
This is simply a straight call on the defenses.
Oh sure it’ll be about Tom Brady, and Drew Brees, and whose career is about to take a big turn after this, and who gets that showdown against Aaron Rodgers in the NFL Championship. But for all of the offensive firepower on both sides, they’re both about the D.
New Orleans is fourth in the NFL in total defense and fifth in scoring defense. It’s fantastic against the pass, better against the run, and it held TB12 and the Bucs to 23 points in the first game and three in the second.
The Saints went off in the two games scoring a combined 72 points thanks to all the big things set up by the defensive side. The Bucs, though, are No. 1 in the NFL against the run, have a good enough pass rush to pressure Brees more than they did in the first two games, and there’s going to be one massive edge to this group after the way the first two losses went down.
There’s reason for concern, though. Tampa Bay has scored 31 or more in each of its last four games, New Orleans can hit 30 without a problem, and let’s be honest here, everyone really wants to see these two quarterbacks put on a 45-42 show.
Expect this to be played in the 20s, or expect one of the two defenses to take over early on. And if that’s not the case, sit back, tip your cap, and enjoy all the points.