The Bucs can clinch first place in the NFC South on Sunday afternoon in front of their home crowd. All they have to do is beat the banged-up, hapless Saints. That said, will Tampa Bay cover? Read on for our Saints vs. Bucs Prediction.
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
New Orleans Saints (+14.5) at Tampa Bay Bucs (-14.5); o/u 45
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, January 5, 2025
Saints vs. Bucs Public Betting: Bettors Love Tampa to Cover
Our NFL Public Betting Information page indicates that 82% of public bettors are currently backing the Bucs when it comes to the spread. This information is subject to change throughout the day, however, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
Carr won’t play vs. Bucs
Saints ruled out Derek Carr (hand) for Week 18 against the Buccaneers. Carr concludes the second season of his four-year contract having played just 10 games, thanks to a Week 5 oblique strain and a Week 14 injury sequence resulting in both a hand injury and a concussion. On the plus side, his five interceptions technically qualify as the lowest single-season total of his career.
On the year, Carr completed 189-of-279 passes for 2,145 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions and rushed 17 times for 71 yards and one touchdown. Pending good health, the Saints should enter 2025 with a moderately talented passing attack so Carr has a real chance to bounce back. If not, the team can save $32.78 million by cutting him after that.
Irving removed from Bucs’ injury report
Bucky Irving (shoulder/shin) was removed from the injury report and will play in Week 18 against the Saints. Irving was limited in the first two practices of the week but got in a full session on Friday before being cleared entirely. Given the lengthy list of injuries he has dealt with as a rookie, rest days make sense for a Bucs squad eying a deep playoff run. Coming off a 24-touch, 190-yard outing in Week 17, Irving is firmly in the RB1 ranks to close out the regular season.
Saints vs. Bucs Betting Trends
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Orleans’s last 5 games
New Orleans is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay’s last 6 games when playing at home against New Orleans
Saints vs. Bucs Prediction:
I’m sure the Bucs can handle the 14.5 against a Saints team that has been decimated by injuries over the second half of the season. However, if I’m going to lay a big number with Tampa Bay, I’m going to do so with its team total.
For starters, we’re getting plus odds at +100 on the Bucs’ over 30.5 points. In two of their past three games, they scored 40 or more points. When these two teams met in New Orleans back in October, the Bucs hung 51 points on the Saints.
With a NFC South Division title and a home playoff game on the line, the Bucs won’t take their foot off the pedal today versus their rivals. This will be a bloodbath.
Saints vs. Bucs NFL Prediction: Tampa Bay Bucs over 30.5 (+100)