NFL
Sports Interaction Staff
November 1, 2017

Buccaneers vs. Saints Point Spread: NFL Week 9 Odds, Prediction

The New Orleans Saints are one of the hottest teams in the NFL – and that run has them sitting at the top of the NFC South entering Sunday’s divisional battle with the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Saints have reeled off five consecutive victories after opening with back-to-back losses, and they come in as a comfortable favorite against a stumbling Buccaneers team that is still looking for its first road victory of 2017.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints

Point spread: Saints -7
Date: Sunday, November 5, 1 p.m. ET
Location: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, La.

Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Saints are giving up a touchdown in this one, but that hasn’t scared off Sports Interaction bettors; 71 percent are laying the points. New Orleans has been dominant against divisional foes of late, covering in 10 of its previous 12 games against NFC South opponents. The Saints are also 8-1 ATS in their last nine games against teams with losing records. The Bucs are at the other end of the spectrum, going just 0-5-1 ATS in their previous six games.

This game carries a total of 50, one of the biggest numbers of the week. Sports Interaction bettors are leaning 60 percent in favor of the over – and given how games generally go at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, that seems like a decent play. The over has prevailed in 12 of New Orleans’ previous 17 home games, including two of three this season. Tampa Bay has exceeded the total in four of its last six games overall.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Things could change dramatically for the Buccaneers depending on whether starting quarterback Jameis Winston will be fit to take the field. Winston is dealing with a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder, and Tampa Bay head coach Dirk Koetter says he considered pulling Winston from Sunday’s loss to Carolina to give him time to rest. Veteran journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick will get the start if Winston can’t go.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints owe some of their success to a dramatic change in offensive game plan. After throwing the ball on 63.4 percent of their offensive snaps in 2016 – the fifth-highest rate in the league – they’re passing on just 56.5 percent of plays this season, ranking them 20th. New Orleans is scoring two fewer points per game than it did last season, but its greater offensive versatility has allowed it to improve its time of possession by nearly a half-minute over 2016.