It’s crowded at the top of the NFC standings, making this a crucial game for Tampa Bay.  The Bucs have already clinched the NFC South, but they sit tied with the Cowboys and Rams in the standings.  All three teams are trailing the Packers by a game.  The Jets have been out of the playoffs for a while, although they are coming off a rare win, taking out Jacksonville 26-21 at home last week.

Tampa Bay is a 13.5-point favourite to win on the NFL odds, with a total of 46.0.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Buccaneers and Jets haven’t met since a 15-10 home win for Tampa Bay in 2017, but of course that was back before the Tom Brady-era in Tampa.  Even with a large spread that continues to rise, almost 80 per cent of Sports Interaction bettors are riding with the Bucs for this one, while about 65 per cent of action is taking the Under.

Tampa has been dominant on the road since Brady’s arrival last season, winning 13 of their last 16 games outside of Florida.  They’re 8-7 against the spread this year and have covered in five of their last six games.  This could be a low scoring game, as the total has gone Under in five of the Buccaneers’ last seven games.

For whatever undetermined reason, the Jets have thrived at home against Tampa Bay, winning their last seven against the Bucs in New York.  They’ve been a rough cover option this year, going 5-10 ATS and failing to cover in four of their last five games.  The total has gone Over in nine of New York’s last 12 games.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Antonio Brown made the most of his return in last week’s win over Carolina.  With Leonard Fournette and Chris Godwin done for the season and Mike Evans out last week, Brown was the No. 1 receiving target for Tampa.  Brown, who hadn’t played since Oct. 13 due to injury and suspension, caught 10 passes for 101 yards against the Panthers.  Brady threw for 232 yards and a touchdown.  Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Ronald Jones II split time to fill in for Fournette, combining for 135 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Tampa’s defence also came up big last week, holding Carolina to two field goals and recording seven sacks.  Linebacker Shaquil Barrett left early with a knee injury and is expected to be out until at least the playoffs.  There’s been no word on Evans’ availability, although he has practiced this week.

New York Jets

It took a historic run-game from rookie quarterback Zach Wilson, but the Jets squeaked out their fourth win of the year last week against Jacksonville.  Wilson set two franchise records for quarterbacks, rushing for 91 yards in the game, including a 52-yard TD run.  The 52-yard run was the third-longest TD run by a rookie quarterback in NFL history.  He added 102 passing yards and another TD in the air.  Running back Michael Carter had his best game of the season, finishing with a season-high 118 rushing yards.

Centre Connor McGovern and tight end Trevon Wesco both left last week’s game with knee injuries.  Wesco’s status is up in the air, while McGovern has been ruled out for the year.  Top receiver Elijah Moore could make his return from a quad injury that has kept him out of the last three games.  The rookie has 538 yards and five TDs on the season.

NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Buccaneers vs. Jets?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Buccaneers Team Leaders

TB

Touchdowns	Mike Evans 14
Rushing	Leonard Fournette 812
Passing	Tom Brady 5316
Receiving	Chris Godwin 98
Sacks	Shaquil Barrett 10
Interceptions	Mike Edwards 3

NYJ

Touchdowns	Elijah Moore 6
Rushing	Michael Carter 639
Passing	Zach Wilson 2334
Receiving	Jamison Crowder 51
Sacks	Quinnen Williams 6
Interceptions	Brandin Echols 2

TB

Touchdowns	Mike Evans 2
Rushing	Ke'Shawn Vaughn 53
Passing	Tom Brady 600
Receiving	Mike Evans 17
Sacks	Steve McLendon 1
Interceptions	Shaquil Barrett 1

NYJ

Touchdowns
Rushing
Passing	Did not qualify
Receiving
Sacks
Interceptions

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Jets Team Leaders

TB

Touchdowns	Mike Evans 14
Rushing	Leonard Fournette 812
Passing	Tom Brady 5316
Receiving	Chris Godwin 98
Sacks	Shaquil Barrett 10
Interceptions	Mike Edwards 3

NYJ

Touchdowns	Elijah Moore 6
Rushing	Michael Carter 639
Passing	Zach Wilson 2334
Receiving	Jamison Crowder 51
Sacks	Quinnen Williams 6
Interceptions	Brandin Echols 2

TB

Touchdowns	Mike Evans 2
Rushing	Ke'Shawn Vaughn 53
Passing	Tom Brady 600
Receiving	Mike Evans 17
Sacks	Steve McLendon 1
Interceptions	Shaquil Barrett 1

NYJ

Touchdowns
Rushing
Passing	Did not qualify
Receiving
Sacks
Interceptions

Weather

temp	57
condition	cloudy
wind	West 10mph

Injuries

Tampa Bay

Lavonte David (LB)

Ques Sun Foot - 19 / 01 / 22

Mike Edwards (S)

Prob Sun Elbow - 19 / 01 / 22

Jason Pierre-Paul (LB)

Ques Sun Personal - 19 / 01 / 22

Josh Wells (T)

Ques Sun Quadricep - 19 / 01 / 22

Giovani Bernard (RB)

Prob Sun Hip - 19 / 01 / 22

Breshad Perriman (WR)

Out Sun Abdominal - 19 / 01 / 22

Carlton Davis (CB)

Prob Sun Back - 14 / 01 / 22

Jamel Dean (CB)

Prob Sun Hamstring - 12 / 01 / 22

Mike Edwards (S)

Ques Sun Hamstring - 12 / 01 / 22

Mike Evans (WR)

Prob Sun Hamstring - 12 / 01 / 22

N.Y. Jets

Braxton Berrios (WR)

Out indefinitely Quadricep - 05 / 01 / 22

Ashtyn Davis (S)

Prob Sun Back - 05 / 01 / 22

Chuma Edoga (T)

Prob Sun Ankle - 05 / 01 / 22

Sheldon Rankins (DT)

Prob Sun Knee - 05 / 01 / 22

Greg Van Roten (G)

Prob Sun Illness - 05 / 01 / 22

Bryce Huff (DL)

I-R Ankle - 04 / 01 / 22

Kyle Phillips (DL)

Out indefinitely Illness - 03 / 01 / 22

Michael Carter (RB)

Prob Sun Concussion - 03 / 01 / 22

George Fant (T)

I-R Knee - 02 / 01 / 22

Michael Carter II (CB)

day-to-day Concussion - 02 / 01 / 22

Injuries

Tampa Bay

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Lavonte David (LB)	Ques Sun	Foot - 19 / 01 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
David is nursing a foot injury, and it is undecided if he will partake in the NFC divisional round versus the Rams.
Mike Edwards (S)	Prob Sun	Elbow - 19 / 01 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Edwards is projected to participate in the NFC divisional round against the Rams despite an elbow injury.
Jason Pierre-Paul (LB)	Ques Sun	Personal - 19 / 01 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Pierre-Paul is tending to a personal matter, and it has yet to be established if he will line up for the NFC divisional round versus the Rams.
Josh Wells (T)	Ques Sun	Quadricep - 19 / 01 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Wells is managing a quad issue, and it remains to be seen if he will take the field against the Rams in the NFC divisional round.
Giovani Bernard (RB)	Prob Sun	Hip - 19 / 01 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Bernard has injuries to his hip and knee, but it is anticipated that he will line up for the NFC divisional round versus the Rams.
Breshad Perriman (WR)	Out Sun	Abdominal - 19 / 01 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Perriman has injuries to his abdomen and hip, and it will affect his status for the NFC divisional round versus the Rams.
Carlton Davis (CB)	Prob Sun	Back - 14 / 01 / 22	2-0	1-1	+ -
Davis is battling a back injury, but it is projected that he will partake in the NFC wild-card game versus the Eagles.
Jamel Dean (CB)	Prob Sun	Hamstring - 12 / 01 / 22	2-0	1-1	+ -
Dean has a hamstring injury, but it is not expected to affect his availability against the Eagles in the NFC wild-card game.
Mike Edwards (S)	Ques Sun	Hamstring - 12 / 01 / 22	2-0	1-1	+ -
Edwards is nursing a hamstring injury, and it is undetermined if he will face the Eagles in the NFC wild-card game.
Mike Evans (WR)	Prob Sun	Hamstring - 12 / 01 / 22	2-0	1-1	+ -
Edwards is nursing a hamstring injury, but it is anticipated that he will face the Eagles in the NFC wild-card game.

N.Y. Jets

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Braxton Berrios (WR)	Out indefinitely	Quadricep - 05 / 01 / 22	1-0	1-0	+ -
Berrios has been shuttled to the injured reserve list with a quad contusion, and it is unknown when he will return to the field.
Ashtyn Davis (S)	Prob Sun	Back - 05 / 01 / 22	1-0	1-0	+ -
Davis is limited with a back injury, but it is projected that he will play against the Bills on Sunday.
Chuma Edoga (T)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 05 / 01 / 22	1-0	1-0	+ -
Edoga has an ankle injury, but it is not expected to affect his status against the Bills on Sunday.
Sheldon Rankins (DT)	Prob Sun	Knee - 05 / 01 / 22	1-0	1-0	+ -
Rankins is hobbled by a knee injury, but it is likely that he will suit up against the Bills on Sunday.
Greg Van Roten (G)	Prob Sun	Illness - 05 / 01 / 22	1-0	1-0	+ -
Van Roten is ailing from an illness, but it is likely that he will partake in Sunday's game against the Bills.
Bryce Huff (DL)	I-R	Ankle - 04 / 01 / 22	1-0	1-0	+ -
Huff has been assigned to the injured reserve list due to an ankle injury.
Kyle Phillips (DL)	Out indefinitely	Illness - 03 / 01 / 22	1-0	1-0	+ -
Phillips has been shuttled to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unclear when he will return to action.
Michael Carter (RB)	Prob Sun	Concussion - 03 / 01 / 22	1-0	1-0	+ -
Carter was removed from the last game due to a concussion, but it is likely that he will be active against the Bills on Sunday.
George Fant (T)	I-R	Knee - 02 / 01 / 22	2-0	2-0	+ -
Fant has been shuttled to the injured reserve list due to a knee injury.
Michael Carter II (CB)	day-to-day	Concussion - 02 / 01 / 22	2-0	2-0	+ -
Carter II was removed from the last game due to a concussion, and it has yet to be established if he will be active against the Bills in Week 18.