The Bucs are looking to capture the NFC South division for a fourth straight season, while Washington has finished last in the NFC East for two straight years.

Tampa opened as a 3.5-point favourite to win on the NFL odds, with the total set at 42.5.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

These teams have played each other 10 times since 2006, splitting the games evenly. They last met in Week 10 of the 2021 season, with the Commanders (called the Washington Football Team) winning 29-19.

Washington and Tampa Bay trended in opposite directions last season. The Commanders were one of the worst teams in the league, finishing tied for second-last overall with a 4-13 record.

Thanks to a terrible NFC South division, the Bucs were able to finish first in the division with a 9-8 record in 2023. They went on to a surprise 32-9 blowout win over Philadelphia in the wild-card game and eventually lost against Detroit in the divisional round.

Oddsmakers have a little more faith in Tampa, although they are still +8000 to win the Super Bowl on the NFL futures board. The Commanders are massive +15,000 long shots to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

Washington Commanders

Washington’s biggest off-season move was drafting LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels second overall in this year’s draft. Daniels had one of the better showings of all rookies during the pre-season, going 12-for-15 for 123 yards with no TDs or INTs. The former Heisman winner’s top target will be Terry McLaurin, who has finished with 1,000 receiving yards every season of his career other than his rookie year in 2019 when he had 919 yards. Tight end Zach Ertz was signed in the off-season, but it’s fair to wonder what he has left in the tank at 33-years-old. Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler will split carries.

Jonathan Allen anchors the defence. Allen finished with 5.5 sacks last year and he’s a key piece in slowing down the run. The Commanders also added linebacker Bobby Wagner, who should provide some needed veteran leadership.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The NFC South is the worst division in football and the Bucs know they just need to play a tick above .500 football to make the playoffs. Baker Mayfield had a resurgence in his first season in Tampa Bay last year, setting career-highs in completions (364), completion percentage (64.3), passing yards (4,044) and passing TDs (28). His top two targets will be Mike Evans, who has topped 1,000 receiving yards every year of his career dating to 2014, and Chris Godwin, who has hit 1,000 receiving yards in four of the last five seasons.

The Buccaneers defensive core remains intact. Linebacker Lavonte David led the team with 134 tackles last year and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. was second with 122 and had a team-high three interceptions. Yaya Diaby led the team with 7.5 sacks.

NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Commanders vs. Buccaneers?

• Regular Season

Commanders Team Leaders

WAS

Touchdowns	Brian Robinson Jr. 5
Rushing	Brian Robinson Jr. 325
Passing	Jayden Daniels 1404
Receiving	Terry McLaurin 29
Sacks	Dante Fowler Jr. 3.5
Interceptions	Mike Sainristil 1

TB

Touchdowns	Chris Godwin 5
Rushing	Bucky Irving 328
Passing	Baker Mayfield 1489
Receiving	Chris Godwin 43
Sacks	Vita Vea 3
Interceptions	Zyon McCollum 2

• Regular Season

Buccaneers Team Leaders

WAS

Touchdowns	Brian Robinson Jr. 5
Rushing	Brian Robinson Jr. 325
Passing	Jayden Daniels 1404
Receiving	Terry McLaurin 29
Sacks	Dante Fowler Jr. 3.5
Interceptions	Mike Sainristil 1

TB

Touchdowns	Chris Godwin 5
Rushing	Bucky Irving 328
Passing	Baker Mayfield 1489
Receiving	Chris Godwin 43
Sacks	Vita Vea 3
Interceptions	Zyon McCollum 2

Weather

temp	93
condition	cloudy
wind	Southwest 6mph

Injuries

Washington

Dorance Armstrong (DE)

day-to-day Ribs - 13 / 10 / 24

Nick Allegretti (G)

day-to-day Neck - 09 / 10 / 24

Percy Butler (S)

Ques Sun Groin - 09 / 10 / 24

Austin Ekeler (RB)

Ques Sun Heel - 09 / 10 / 24

Dante Fowler Jr. (LB)

Ques Sun Illness - 09 / 10 / 24

Brian Robinson Jr. (RB)

day-to-day Knee - 09 / 10 / 24

Percy Butler (S)

Ques Sun Groin - 04 / 10 / 24

Tyler Owens (S)

day-to-day Shin - 04 / 10 / 24

Brian Robinson Jr. (RB)

Prob Sun Knee - 04 / 10 / 24

Noah Brown (WR)

Que Sun Groin - 04 / 10 / 24

Tampa Bay

Graham Barton (C)

day-to-day Hamstring - 12 / 10 / 24

Kameron Johnson (WR)

day-to-day Ankle - 12 / 10 / 24

William Gholston (DL)

Ques Sun Knee - 11 / 10 / 24

Christian Izien (S)

day-to-day Elbow - 09 / 10 / 24

Rachaad White (RB)

day-to-day Foot - 09 / 10 / 24

Earnest Brown IV (DL)

Out indefinitely Ribs - 09 / 10 / 24

Markees Watts (LB)

Out indefinitely Quadricep - 07 / 10 / 24

Graham Barton (C)

Ques Thurs Ankle - 01 / 10 / 24

SirVocea Dennis (LB)

Late Oct Shoulder - 01 / 10 / 24

Greg Gaines (DL)

Ques Thurs Ankle - 30 / 09 / 24

Injuries

Washington

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Dorance Armstrong (DE)	day-to-day	Ribs - 13 / 10 / 24	1-0	1-0	+ -
Armstrong exited the tilt with a ribs injury, and it is unknown if he will take part against the Panthers on October 20th.
Nick Allegretti (G)	day-to-day	Neck - 09 / 10 / 24	1-0	1-0	+ -
Allegretti is nursing with a neck injury, and it is undetermined if he will play against the Panthers on October 20th.
Percy Butler (S)	Ques Sun	Groin - 09 / 10 / 24	1-0	1-0	+ -
Butler is dealing with a groin injury, and it is uncertain if he will face the Ravens on Sunday.
Austin Ekeler (RB)	Ques Sun	Heel - 09 / 10 / 24	1-0	1-0	+ -
Ekeler is dealing with a heel injury, and it is unknown if he will be on field against the Ravens on Sunday.
Dante Fowler Jr. (LB)	Ques Sun	Illness - 09 / 10 / 24	1-0	1-0	+ -
Fowler Jr. is ailing with an illness, and it is unclear if he will play against the Ravens on Sunday.
Brian Robinson Jr. (RB)	day-to-day	Knee - 09 / 10 / 24	1-0	1-0	+ -
Robinson Jr. is dealing with a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will play against the Panthers on October 20th.
Percy Butler (S)	Ques Sun	Groin - 04 / 10 / 24	2-0	2-0	+ -
Butler is nursing a groin injury, and it is unclear if he will be in Sunday's lineup versus the Browns.
Tyler Owens (S)	day-to-day	Shin - 04 / 10 / 24	2-0	2-0	+ -
Owens is battling a shin injury, and it remains to be seen if he will suit up against the Panthers on October 20th.
Brian Robinson Jr. (RB)	Prob Sun	Knee - 04 / 10 / 24	2-0	2-0	+ -
Robinson is battling a knee injury, but he is likely to play against the Browns on Sunday.
Noah Brown (WR)	Que Sun	Groin - 04 / 10 / 24	2-0	2-0	+ -
Brown is battling with a groin injury, and it is unclear if he will play against the Ravens on Sunday.

Tampa Bay

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Graham Barton (C)	day-to-day	Hamstring - 12 / 10 / 24	0-1	1-0	+ -
Barton is managing a hamstring injury, and it has yet to be established if he will play against the Ravens on October 21st.
Kameron Johnson (WR)	day-to-day	Ankle - 12 / 10 / 24	0-1	1-0	+ -
Johnson is dealing with an ankle injury, and it remains to be seen if he will play against the Ravens on October 21st.
William Gholston (DL)	Ques Sun	Knee - 11 / 10 / 24	0-1	1-0	+ -
Gholston is battling a knee injury, and it is uncertain if he will be active against the Saints on Sunday.
Christian Izien (S)	day-to-day	Elbow - 09 / 10 / 24	0-1	1-0	+ -
Izien is battling with a elbow injury, and it is undetermined if he will face the Ravens on October 21st.
Rachaad White (RB)	day-to-day	Foot - 09 / 10 / 24	0-1	1-0	+ -
White is dealing with a foot injury, and it is unclear if he will play against the Ravens on October 21st.
Earnest Brown IV (DL)	Out indefinitely	Ribs - 09 / 10 / 24	0-1	1-0	+ -
Brown IV has been placed on injured reserve with a rib injury, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Markees Watts (LB)	Out indefinitely	Quadricep - 07 / 10 / 24	0-1	1-0	+ -
Watts is placed on the injured reserve list with a quadricep injury, and it is unclear how long he will be idle.
Graham Barton (C)	Ques Thurs	Ankle - 01 / 10 / 24	1-1	2-0	+ -
Barton is managing an ankle injury, and it is unclear if he will participate in Thursday's contest versus the Falcons.
SirVocea Dennis (LB)	Late Oct	Shoulder - 01 / 10 / 24	1-1	2-0	+ -
Dennis is placed on the injured reserve list with a shoulder injury, and he is expected to miss at least the next four games.
Greg Gaines (DL)	Ques Thurs	Ankle - 30 / 09 / 24	1-1	2-0	+ -
Gaines is bothered by an ankle injury, and it is up in the air if he will dress against the Falcons on Thursday.