NFL Free Pick: NO/TB
NFC South rivals clash in Tampa in Week 13 when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the New Orleans Saints. Both teams need a win to keep pace in division, as well as the NFC Wild Card chase.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the Buccaneers -4 point spread favorite. The over/under for this game has been set at 47 total points.
Key Trend: The Buccaneers are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games and 4-1 against the spread in their last five games at home. New Orleans is just 4-2 against the spread in its last six games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay. The total has gone over in five of Tampa Bay’s last seven games when playing at home against New Orleans.
Key Stat: While the Saints are averaging 319.5 passing yards per game, the Bucs are allowing only 174.6 yards per game through the air. New Orleans has the best offense in the NFL, but Monte Kiffin’s defense is only allowing 16.4 points per game.
Game Outlook: This is a pivotal matchup in the NFC South because the Saints essentially got back into the playoff hunt with an impressive showing against Green Bay last Monday night. The Bucs have the defense to control Drew Brees (who is playing like an MVP) and the potent Saints’ offense, so if New Orleans can’t get its running game going it’ll have trouble putting points on the board. Tampa had been struggling in the red zone before last week’s trouncing of the Lions, so don’t expect the Bucs to stall out once they get inside New Orleans’ 20-yard line. We know the Saints won the first game between these two teams, but the Saints have been one of the more inconsistent squads in the league and we happen to believe the Bucs matchup very well in all phases of the game. We also think this is going to be a typical New Orleans-shootout, even though the Bucs have a great defense and aren’t that explosive offensively.
Our Free NFL Pick for the Week 13 matchup between the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers game is
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS -4
TheSpread.com Projected Final Score
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30
New Orleans Saints 24
We also predict that this game will GO OVER THE TOTAL (47 Sportsbook.com) SET BY ODDSMAKERS
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Posted: 11/30/08 5:30AM ET
