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Sports Interaction Staff
Buccaneers vs. Saints Point Spread: NFL Week 1 Odds, Prediction
Although they are both still elite, this season will be one of the last shots Brees or Brady, both north of 40 years old, will have to add to their Super Bowl ring collection. Sunday’s season opener sees the Saints as 3.5-point favourites on the NFL odds with a total of 48.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
With both quarterbacks beginning a slow decline this could be one of the last meaningful Brady vs. Brees games we see. Keeping that in mind the Saints are 0-6 ATS in their last six Week 1 games, while the over is 6-0 in those games.
The over is 12-2 in the Bucs last 14 games overall, including 10-1 in their last 11 games versus the NFC and 7-1 in their last eight games as an underdog.
The Saints took both meetings between these teams last year, winning 31-24 at the Superdome and 34-17 at Raymond James Stadium.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tompa Bay, sorry Tampa Bay, comes into this season with a Super Bowl or bust mentality. Brady’s reward for breaking up with Bill Belichick is possibly the deepest offensive weapons he’s had in his career and he’ll be protected by offensive tackle and 13th overall pick Tristan Wirfs. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are one of the best wide receiver pairs in the NFL and there will be familiarity with the recently unretired Rob Gronkowski, while O.J. Howard also promises to be a receiving threat.
Defensively the Bucs front seven is talented and has the ability to shut down Kamara. The secondary is weaker, but the Saints have relied heavily on the run game and short passing routes as Brees ages, so it isn’t a crippling weakness for the Bucs.
New Orleans Saints
After talk of running back Alvin Kamara holding out due to a contract dispute, it looks like he’ll be in the lineup to start the season, which is huge for a Saints offense that will need to rely heavily on the run game. Brees can’t throw the long ball the way he used to, but the threat of Kamara opens up wide receiver Michael Thomas for short passing routes. On the defensive side of the ball the Saints will need Cam Jordan and Marcus Davenport to apply quick pressure on Brady and make him uncomfortable in the pocket.
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