The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 3-1 over their past four games and are hitting their stride in the second half of the season.
The Bucs welcome the 6-6 Indianapolis Colts to town in Week 14, who have lost four of their last five games and are fighting to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. These are two teams trending in opposite directions, so it should come as no surprise that Tampa Bay is favored at home.
But, one expert thinks you should put money on the Colts (+3), given Tampa Bay’s recent history against the spread (ATS).
See what Matt Youmans of the Vegas Stats & Information Network had to say.
“At 6-6, the Colts are still in the playoff hunt, but a loss here would basically bury them six feet under. Adam Vinatieri’s kicking woes have probably cost the Colts at least two wins. Vinatieri has a knee injury and might not go this week, and that’s not bad news because it should force coach Frank Reich to be more aggressive and stop opting for field goals. If quarterback Jacoby Brissett can bounce back from a poor performance against the Titans, the Colts should show they are the better team in this spot. After a 5-2 start, the Colts are 1-4 in their past five games with three of the losses by four points or fewer. Jameis Winston and the Bucs are 0-4 ATS at home this season.”
Tampa Bay does have a way of dropping games they should win, but based on how well they’ve looked the past two weeks, I think the Buccaneers are finally figuring things out — even if it is too little too late.
I think the Buccaneers will handle the Colts on Sunday and avoid finishing 5-11 for the third-straight season. And, yes, the Bucs will cover.
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