The Minnesota Vikings (6-6) are currently the last wild card and the team directly ahead of them – the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5) – are their opponent Sunday, as Minnesota travels to Florida to meet the Bucs at 1 p.m. ET Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
Below, we preview the Team-Team betting odds and lines and make our NFL picks and predictions.
Vikings at Buccaneers: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 5:30 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Vikings +260 (bet $100 to win $260) | Buccaneers -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Vikings +6.5 (-105) | Buccaneers -6.5 (-115)
- Over/Under: 51.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Vikings at Buccaneers: Game notes
- The Over/Under is 52½ points. Minnesota’s games have hit the Over that in eight of 12 games this season and the Bucs have hit the Over in eight of their last 12 home games.
- Throughout his prolific career, Tom Brady has never been on a wild card team.
- The Buccaneers are just 1-2 ATS when favored by 6.5 points or more this year.
- Minnesota is 1-0 ATS when underdogs by 6.5 or more points this season.
- Tampa Bay is 6-1 on the money line and ATS in its last seven home games against the Vikings.
- The Vikings are 4-0 ATS in their last four games as an underdog and 4-0 ATS in their last four games against teams with winning records.
Vikings at Buccaneers: Key injuries
Vikings
- LB Eric Kendricks (calf) out
- TE Kyle Rudolph (foot) doubtful
- RB Alexander Mattison (appendectomy) out
- TE Irv Smith (back) questionable
Buccaneers
- CB Jamel Dean (groin) doubtful
Vikings at Buccaneers: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Buccaneers 31, Vikings 27
Money line (?)
The Bucs are a prohibitive favorite (-300), which is too steep for the lack of return on investment. Minnesota would be a nominal play at +260 for a small wager, but the best option here is to AVOID this bet because, in five career games, Tom Brady has never lost to Minnesota, won all of them by seven or more points and won the last four by double digits.
Against the spread (?)
Tampa Bay is a 6.5 point favorite (-115 for the Bucs, -105 for the Vikings), which may be because they are coming off their bye week and have had two weeks to prepare for Minnesota.
The Vikings have won four of the last five and were one play away from beating both Seattle and Tennessee. Their cornerbacks are a mess, but getting better. Both teams can dominate the game on the ground, so this one should be a one-possession game when all is said and done.
Take the Vikings +6.5 (-105).
Over/Under (?)
This is a tough one because 51.5 points (-115 Over, -105 Under) is a big number, but Minnesota’s cornerbacks have been carved up by just about every veteran QB they have faced this season.
Expect to see the Bucs attack that weakness and Minnesota try to stay with them in a shootout. Take the Over.
Want action on this NFL game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Also see:
- Four keys to success for the Vikings vs. the Buccaneers (Vikings Wire)
- Tom Brady is a true Florida man now (Bucs Wire)
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