A pair of squads coming off deflating losses will collide this Sunday when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit NFC South rivals the New Orleans Saints.
Week 5 was one to forget for both Tampa Bay and New Orleans. The Bucs were in Atlanta last Thursday night, bungled a late lead and lost 36-30 in extra time. The Saints paid a rare visit to the Chiefs on Monday night and were thoroughly outclassed 26-13.
Our NFL odds believe the visiting Buccaneers will make the Saints walk the plank. They’re pegged as -3.5 favourites.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
It’s one thing to consider that the Saints have a 7-3 edge over the Bucs during the last 10 games. It’s another to consider how things have changed during the past 5 seasons (two meetings per season, hence 10 matches). Drew Brees earned a few of those New Orleans wins. Tom Brady earned some of those Bucs victories. Neither has been around for a while. Most interesting is last season’s split when Baker Mayfield joined Tampa Bay and Derek Carr arrived in Louisiana.
The story of Tampa Bay and the spreads in 2024 has been straightforward thus far. When they win outright, they cover. When they lose the game, they don’t cover, resulting in identical 3-2 tallies. Mayfield is giving a jolt to this team’s offence. It scores 25.4 points per game, good for ninth in the NFL.
As for New Orleans, they’re 3-2 ATS despite being 2-3 straight up. The saving grace was a two-point defeat in Atlanta in Week 4 when they were a 2.5 underdog. Saints fans might be worried. Their side began 2023 in much the same fashion (2-0) before the rails came off.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers know very well they should be 4-1 right now. That they aren’t is a cause for frustration but also an opportunity to learn lessons.
Last week, when Tampa Bay picked off the Falcons’ Kirk Cousins late in the fourth quarter and up 30-27, the game should have been over. But a wasted possession that would have killed the clock resulted in the Falcons getting the ball back, tying the score 30-30 in the dying seconds via field goal, then winning courtesy of a thrilling catch and run play in overtime. It didn’t help that the Bucs’ secondary was blasted for 477 yards.
WR Chris Godwin is having a great year with 386 yards thus far (tied for seventh) and a trio of TDs. His teammate Mike Evans is tied for the NFL lead with five touchdowns.
The truth is Tampa Bay has been up and down through five games. When it looks as if they have wind in their sails, they’ve dropped the ball a couple of times.
New Orleans Saints
Speaking of teams that aren’t keeping momentum, there is the New Orleans Saints. The team that stormed to a 2-0 record by bulldozing their first two opponents has hit a brick wall since.
As of Wednesday, QB Derek Carr is listed as questionable. He took a hit late on Monday night in Kansas City, a game that was slowly escaping the Saints anyway. After netting 47 and 44 points, the club has scored 12, 24, and 13, each time in defeat. Now, the stats are skewed. Do the Saints really have the fifth-best attack at 28.0 points per game? No.
As per Pro Football Focus, the Saints’ offensive line is 21st in the league, so that’s not helping either. Then again, Tampa Bay’s is 20th. Perhaps the Bucs’ relative weakness can be DT Bryan Bresee’s reward, as he has 4.0 sacks to his name thus far.
Should Carr be unavailable, this would be a great time for RB Alvin Kamara to break out against a very average Bucs run defence.
Who Will Win Buccaneers vs. Saints?
-
BUCCANEERS
23 -
SAINTS
20
Score
Prediction
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 6 Oct 11:25pm | - | - | O +45.5 -110 |
Closing 13 Oct 6:24pm | - | - | O +70.5 -115 |
- Regular Season
Buccaneers Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
6 |
Rushing |
419 |
Passing |
2389 |
Receiving |
50 |
Sacks |
5 |
Interceptions |
2 |
Touchdowns |
7 |
Rushing |
660 |
Passing |
1225 |
Receiving |
46 |
Sacks |
4 |
Interceptions |
3 |
- Regular Season
Saints Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
6 |
Rushing |
419 |
Passing |
2389 |
Receiving |
50 |
Sacks |
5 |
Interceptions |
2 |
Touchdowns |
7 |
Rushing |
660 |
Passing |
1225 |
Receiving |
46 |
Sacks |
4 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Weather
temp | 76 |
condition | sunny |
wind | East 3mph |
Injuries
Jalen McMillan (WR)
Antoine Winfield Jr. (S)
Ben Bredeson (G)
Bucky Irving (RB)
Lavonte David (LB)
Sterling Shepard (WR)
Greg Gaines (DL)
William Gholston (DL)
Bucky Irving (RB)
Mike Evans (WR)
Justin Herron (OT)
Chris Olave (WR)
John Ridgeway III (DT)
Alvin Kamara (RB)
Tyrann Mathieu (S)
Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB)
Jamaal Williams (RB)
Juwan Johnson (TE)
Marshon Lattimore (CB)
Bub Means (WR)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jalen McMillan (WR) | Questionable | Hamstring - 03 / 11 / 24 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
McMillan is hampered by a hamstring injury, and it is unclear if he will be active against the 49ers on Sunday, November 10th. |
|||||
Antoine Winfield Jr. (S) | Ques Mon | Foot - 01 / 11 / 24 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
Winfield Jr is hobbled by a foot injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Chiefs on Monday. |
|||||
Ben Bredeson (G) | Ques Mon | Shoulder - 31 / 10 / 24 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
Bredeson is battling a shoulder injury, and it has yet to be established if he will be in Monday's lineup versus the Chiefs. |
|||||
Bucky Irving (RB) | Ques Mon | Toe - 31 / 10 / 24 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
Irving is hampered by a toe injury, and it is unclear if he will be active against the Chiefs on Monday. |
|||||
Lavonte David (LB) | Ques Mon | Ankle - 27 / 10 / 24 | 1-2 | 3-0 | + - |
David exited the game after suffering ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will face Chief on Monday. |
|||||
Sterling Shepard (WR) | Ques Mon | Hamstring - 27 / 10 / 24 | 1-2 | 3-0 | + - |
Shepard exited the game with a hamstring injury, and it is unknown if he will face Chief on Monday. |
|||||
Greg Gaines (DL) | Questionable | Calf - 24 / 10 / 24 | 1-2 | 3-0 | + - |
Gaines is nursing a calf injury, and it is undetermined if he will take the field against 49ers on Sunday, November 10th. |
|||||
William Gholston (DL) | Ques Mon | Knee - 23 / 10 / 24 | 1-2 | 3-0 | + - |
Gholston is dealing with a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will face Chief on Monday. |
|||||
Bucky Irving (RB) | Ques Sun | Toe - 23 / 10 / 24 | 1-2 | 3-0 | + - |
Irving is nursing with a toe injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Falcons on Sunday. |
|||||
Mike Evans (WR) | Late Nov | Hamstring - 22 / 10 / 24 | 2-2 | 4-0 | + - |
Evans left the previous game with a hamstring injury, and he will remain out of the lineup until the end of November. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Justin Herron (OT) | Out indefinitely | Knee - 05 / 11 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Herron has been out of the lineup due to a knee injury, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
Chris Olave (WR) | Questionable | Concussion - 03 / 11 / 24 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Olave is dealing with a concussion, and it is unclear if he will play against the Falcons on Sunday, November 10th. |
|||||
John Ridgeway III (DT) | Questionable | Oblique - 31 / 10 / 24 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Ridgeway III is managing an oblique injury, and his status against the Falcons on Sunday, November 10th. |
|||||
Alvin Kamara (RB) | Que Sun | Hand - 30 / 10 / 24 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Kamara is dealing with a hand injury, and his status against the Panthers on Sunday is unknown. |
|||||
Tyrann Mathieu (S) | Que Sun | Hand - 30 / 10 / 24 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Mathieu is dealing with a hand injury, and his status against the Panthers on Sunday is unknown. |
|||||
Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB) | Questionable | Hamstring - 30 / 10 / 24 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
McKinstry is dealing with a hamstring injury, and his status against the Falcons on Sunday, November 10th. |
|||||
Jamaal Williams (RB) | Questionable | Groin - 30 / 10 / 24 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Williams is dealing with a groin injury, and it is unclear if he will play against the Falcons on Sunday, November 10th. |
|||||
Juwan Johnson (TE) | Ques Sun | Head - 27 / 10 / 24 | 0-3 | 2-1 | + - |
Johnson is dealing with a head injury, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Panthers on Sunday. |
|||||
Marshon Lattimore (CB) | Questionable | Hamstring - 27 / 10 / 24 | 0-3 | 2-1 | + - |
Lattimore sat out the previous game due to a hamstring injury, and it unclear if he will be available against the Falcons on Sunday, November 10th. |
|||||
Bub Means (WR) | Out indefinitely | Ankle - 27 / 10 / 24 | 0-3 | 2-1 | + - |
Means has landed on the injured reserve with an ankle injury, and he will miss an extended period. |
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 6 Oct 11:25pm - - O +45.5 -110 Closing 13 Oct 6:24pm - - O +70.5 -115 -
- Regular Season
Buccaneers Team Leaders
Touchdowns 6
Rushing 419
Passing 2389
Receiving 50
Sacks 5
Interceptions 2
Touchdowns 7
Rushing 660
Passing 1225
Receiving 46
Sacks 4
Interceptions 3
-
- Regular Season
Saints Team Leaders
Touchdowns 6
Rushing 419
Passing 2389
Receiving 50
Sacks 5
Interceptions 2
Touchdowns 7
Rushing 660
Passing 1225
Receiving 46
Sacks 4
Interceptions 3
-
Weather
temp 76 condition sunny wind East 3mph -
Injuries
Jalen McMillan (WR)
Questionable Hamstring - 03 / 11 / 24Antoine Winfield Jr. (S)
Ques Mon Foot - 01 / 11 / 24Ben Bredeson (G)
Ques Mon Shoulder - 31 / 10 / 24Bucky Irving (RB)
Ques Mon Toe - 31 / 10 / 24Lavonte David (LB)
Ques Mon Ankle - 27 / 10 / 24Sterling Shepard (WR)
Ques Mon Hamstring - 27 / 10 / 24Greg Gaines (DL)
Questionable Calf - 24 / 10 / 24William Gholston (DL)
Ques Mon Knee - 23 / 10 / 24Bucky Irving (RB)
Ques Sun Toe - 23 / 10 / 24Mike Evans (WR)
Late Nov Hamstring - 22 / 10 / 24Justin Herron (OT)
Out indefinitely Knee - 05 / 11 / 24Chris Olave (WR)
Questionable Concussion - 03 / 11 / 24John Ridgeway III (DT)
Questionable Oblique - 31 / 10 / 24Alvin Kamara (RB)
Que Sun Hand - 30 / 10 / 24Tyrann Mathieu (S)
Que Sun Hand - 30 / 10 / 24Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB)
Questionable Hamstring - 30 / 10 / 24Jamaal Williams (RB)
Questionable Groin - 30 / 10 / 24Juwan Johnson (TE)
Ques Sun Head - 27 / 10 / 24Marshon Lattimore (CB)
Questionable Hamstring - 27 / 10 / 24Bub Means (WR)
Out indefinitely Ankle - 27 / 10 / 24Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jalen McMillan (WR) Questionable Hamstring - 03 / 11 / 24 1-1 2-0 + - McMillan is hampered by a hamstring injury, and it is unclear if he will be active against the 49ers on Sunday, November 10th.
Antoine Winfield Jr. (S) Ques Mon Foot - 01 / 11 / 24 1-1 2-0 + - Winfield Jr is hobbled by a foot injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Chiefs on Monday.
Ben Bredeson (G) Ques Mon Shoulder - 31 / 10 / 24 1-1 2-0 + - Bredeson is battling a shoulder injury, and it has yet to be established if he will be in Monday's lineup versus the Chiefs.
Bucky Irving (RB) Ques Mon Toe - 31 / 10 / 24 1-1 2-0 + - Irving is hampered by a toe injury, and it is unclear if he will be active against the Chiefs on Monday.
Lavonte David (LB) Ques Mon Ankle - 27 / 10 / 24 1-2 3-0 + - David exited the game after suffering ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will face Chief on Monday.
Sterling Shepard (WR) Ques Mon Hamstring - 27 / 10 / 24 1-2 3-0 + - Shepard exited the game with a hamstring injury, and it is unknown if he will face Chief on Monday.
Greg Gaines (DL) Questionable Calf - 24 / 10 / 24 1-2 3-0 + - Gaines is nursing a calf injury, and it is undetermined if he will take the field against 49ers on Sunday, November 10th.
William Gholston (DL) Ques Mon Knee - 23 / 10 / 24 1-2 3-0 + - Gholston is dealing with a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will face Chief on Monday.
Bucky Irving (RB) Ques Sun Toe - 23 / 10 / 24 1-2 3-0 + - Irving is nursing with a toe injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Falcons on Sunday.
Mike Evans (WR) Late Nov Hamstring - 22 / 10 / 24 2-2 4-0 + - Evans left the previous game with a hamstring injury, and he will remain out of the lineup until the end of November.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Justin Herron (OT) Out indefinitely Knee - 05 / 11 / 24 0-1 1-0 + - Herron has been out of the lineup due to a knee injury, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Chris Olave (WR) Questionable Concussion - 03 / 11 / 24 0-2 1-1 + - Olave is dealing with a concussion, and it is unclear if he will play against the Falcons on Sunday, November 10th.
John Ridgeway III (DT) Questionable Oblique - 31 / 10 / 24 0-2 1-1 + - Ridgeway III is managing an oblique injury, and his status against the Falcons on Sunday, November 10th.
Alvin Kamara (RB) Que Sun Hand - 30 / 10 / 24 0-2 1-1 + - Kamara is dealing with a hand injury, and his status against the Panthers on Sunday is unknown.
Tyrann Mathieu (S) Que Sun Hand - 30 / 10 / 24 0-2 1-1 + - Mathieu is dealing with a hand injury, and his status against the Panthers on Sunday is unknown.
Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB) Questionable Hamstring - 30 / 10 / 24 0-2 1-1 + - McKinstry is dealing with a hamstring injury, and his status against the Falcons on Sunday, November 10th.
Jamaal Williams (RB) Questionable Groin - 30 / 10 / 24 0-2 1-1 + - Williams is dealing with a groin injury, and it is unclear if he will play against the Falcons on Sunday, November 10th.
Juwan Johnson (TE) Ques Sun Head - 27 / 10 / 24 0-3 2-1 + - Johnson is dealing with a head injury, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Panthers on Sunday.
Marshon Lattimore (CB) Questionable Hamstring - 27 / 10 / 24 0-3 2-1 + - Lattimore sat out the previous game due to a hamstring injury, and it unclear if he will be available against the Falcons on Sunday, November 10th.
Bub Means (WR) Out indefinitely Ankle - 27 / 10 / 24 0-3 2-1 + - Means has landed on the injured reserve with an ankle injury, and he will miss an extended period.