The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-5) take on the New Orleans Saints (13-4) in the NFC Divisional Round Sunday night. Kickoff is at 6:40 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Below, we preview the Buccaneers-Saints betting odds and lines and make our NFL picks and predictions.
Buccaneers at Saints: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 8:20 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Bucs +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Saints -165 (bet $165 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Bucs +3 (-105) | Saints -3 (-115)
- Over/Under: 51.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Buccaneers at Saints: Game notes
- The Saints swept the season series against the Bucs, defeating them 34-23 in Week 1 in New Orleans and 38-3 in Tampa Bay in Week 9.
- Buccaneers QB Tom Brady threw two touchdown passes and five interceptions in the two head-to-head games, and he was sacked 6 times. Brady had 40 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions on the season.
- Saints QB Drew Brees threw 6 touchdown passes and no interceptions against the Bucs this season.
- The Buccaneers and Saints both averaged over 30 points per game. Tampa was third in the NFL in scoring at 30.7 PPG and New Orleans was fifth at 30.1.
- Both teams had a top-10 scoring defense. The Saints allowed the fifth-fewest points at 21.1 per game and the Bucs the eighth-fewest at 22.2.
Buccaneers at Saints: Key injuries
Buccaneers
- OL Alex Cappa (ankle) doubtful
- WR Mike Evans (knee) questionable
- RB Ronald Jones II (quadriceps, finger) questionable
- WR Chris Godwin (hip, quad) questionable
- CB Carlton Davis (groin) questionable
Saints
- QB Taysom Hill (knee) questionable
- RB Latavius Murray (quad) questionable
- DE Trey Hendrickson (neck) questionable
- TE Jared Cook (elbow) questionable
Buccaneers at Saints: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Buccaneers 34, Saints 31
Money line (?)
The Bucs have won five straight games to the Saints’ three in a row. While New Orleans swept the season series, they have also had unfortunate exits from the postseason the last three years. The Bucs had their first playoff win in more than a decade and Brady has a history of postseason success. Both teams are great on defense and the Bucs were superior on offense.
New Orleans has allowed a total of 16 points in its last two games, but that was against bad offensive teams (Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers). The previous two weeks, they allowed over 30 points in each game while playing good offenses (Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings).
This should be a game for the ages, considering what is on the line for both Brees and Brady at this point in their careers. Take the BUCCANEERS (+140).
Against the spread (?)
Historically, it is foolish to bet against Brady in the postseason, He is 31-11 in the playoffs and has won at least two games in 10 different postseasons. Brees is 9-8 in the playoffs and has won more than one postseason game in a season only once.
Expecting an upset win by Tampa Bay, take the BUCCANEERS +3 (-105).
Over/Under (?)
The two games earlier in the season between the two teams went 1-1 against the O/U. Both teams are 10-7 against the O/U for the season (including playoffs).
Three of the last four games for the Bucs have gone Over but the Saints’ last two have gone Under. Take OVER 51.5 POINTS (-115).
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:
- Bet Slippin’ Podcast
- LB White ready to make up for lost time (Bucs Wire)
- Kamara up for FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Year (Saints Wire)
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