Sunday Night Football Picks: Saints vs. Buccaneers Odds & Predictions
Saints vs. Buccaneers Odds
| Saints Odds | +11.5 |
| Buccaneers Odds | -11.5 |
| Over/Under | 43 |
| Date | Sunday, Dec 19. |
| Time | 8:20 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBC |
On Sunday Night Football, the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will battle in a rivalry game at Raymond James Stadium. Though New Orleans enters play below .500, they remain only one game out of the sixth playoff seed in the NFC. Following five consecutive losses from Week 9 to Week 13, the Saints won last week against the New York Jets and will be hoping to make it two in a row this evening. Tampa Bay has won four consecutive games as they continue to make a push for the top seed in the NFC playoff picture. Oddsmakers are expecting a relatively easy victory for the surging Buccaneers in this one, pricing Tampa Bay as 11.5-point home favorites on the spread.
Saints
Tayson Hill has been abysmal throwing the football since taking over as the starting quarterback for the Saints. On the season, Hill has posted a dreadful 44.9 QBR, but he has been successful with his legs–averaging 6.6 yards-per-carry, including 174 rushing yards over the last two weeks. In his first action in over a month, Alvin Kamara was sensational against the Jets, compiling 120 rushing yards and another 25 yards as a pass-catcher. Running backs are rarely a difference-maker against the spread, but Kamara’s presence clearly elevated New Orleans’ offensive capabilities last Sunday, compared to the previous month with him off of the field. Still, it could be extremely difficult for the Saints to find much success on the ground in this one, playing without Ryan Ramczyk and Terron Armstead on the offensive line.
On the defensive side of the ball, Kaden Elliss did not practice on Friday, but carries a questionable designation into Sunday afternoon. Marshon Lattimore continues to be one of the most dynamic cornerbacks in the NFL, and should be able to do a good job slowing down Mike Evans in this one. Demario Davis had a poor outing last week, but remains one of the elite linebackers in the league. New Orleans has their work cut out for them against one of the best offenses in football, but they should be able to keep this contest competitive.
Buccaneers
Tampa Bay has been one of the most dominant teams in the NFL over the last month of action, winning each of their four games against the New York Giants, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, and Buffalo Bills. Part of their recent success has been a newfound commitment to the running game. Leonard Fournette has been excellent, totaling at least 100 rushing yards in two of his last three trips to the field. An improved running game has only made life easier for Tom Brady and Tampa Bay’s explosive passing attack. Brady has thrown nine touchdowns and is averaging 316 passing yards per game in the Buccaneers’ last four contests. New Orleans possesses one of the better defensive units in the league, but even the most elite defense is going to find it difficult to slow down this group for 60 minutes.
Defensively, Tampa Bay continues to get better each week. The return of Carlton Davis dramatically improves this secondary unit, which has been one of this unit’s few weaknesses in 2021. The Buccaneers have a decisive matchup advantage against each of the Saints’ skill position players, and should have little trouble consistently winning the line of scrimmage tonight. Expect Tampa Bay’s defense to have an extremely strong performance in this one.
Pick & Prediction
When these two teams met earlier this season, New Orleans emerged victorious with a combination of Trevor Siemian and Jameis Winston under center. New Orleans totaled 162 rushing yards in that contest, and will need to replicate that success on Sunday if they hope to give themselves a chance to get back to .500 on the campaign. Though the Buccaneers are unquestionably the better overall team, the Saints strong defense and unorthodox offensive scheme could work to keep this one closer than many pundits are expecting.
PICK: Saints +11.5 (-110)
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