Win and they’re in. That’s the motto for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they host the New Orleans Saints in Week 18.
When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were swept by NFC South rivals the Atlanta Falcons earlier this season, things were looking glum for their playoff hopes. But Atlanta has faded and Tampa Bay has answered the bell. Now, all they have to do is win on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints and they’ll earn a playoff berth and a home Wild Card match.
Our NFL odds put down a lot of chalk for the host Buccaneers, as they’re currently -13.5 favourites.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
If this regular season curtain caller is anything like the first meeting in October, it could very well be a total disaster for New Orleans. The Bucs trampled all over New Orleans 51-27. As much as one doesn’t want to see a quarterback throw interceptions, Baker Mayfield’s three that day hardly mattered.
Overall Tampa Bay has won three of the last four meetings.
Amidst a lost campaign for the Saints, betters aren’t given much reason to muster enthusiasm for them. The Louisiana-based franchise is no better than 6-10 against the spread this season. Things weren’t too bad in late November, but the club has failed to capitalize on four of its last five spread opportunities. With Derek Carr done for the season, they’ll be heading into battle with Spencer Rattler again, but the first-year signal-caller hasn’t faired well, losing all six of his starts.
Todd Bowles’ outfit is the polar opposite, posting an honourable 10-6 record for its efforts against the spread. It’s been a bit rockier since December, during which the club only went 3-2 ATS, but overall, this year they’ve been a decent bet. Tampa Bay enters the final week of the regular season (and maybe the postseason) with the third-best attack in the NFL regard total yards per game. They eat up 399.8 per week.
New Orleans Saints
You know things are unravelling when you not only lose to the Las Vegas Raiders, but you look like the second-best team on the gridiron. Such was the case in Week 17 when the Saints fell in the home closer, 25-10.
New Orleans put up a decent fight in the first half to only trail 13-10 at the midway break. But the fact that the offence’s only real highlight of the entire afternoon was a well-executed trick play that allowed Rattler to find a wide-open Foster Morrow for a TD spoke volumes. Normal, relatively simple plays are a challenge for this side. Las Vegas doesn’t even have a particularly stout defence this season, yet the Saints could do no better than 13 first downs and 269 yards of total offence, not to mention a horrendous 1/10 on third down.
Rattler himself finished 20/36 for 218 yards, one TD, and two INTs. WR Juwan Johnson finished with six catches for 66 yards. The running game was non-existent, as four players, including the QB, tallied 81 yards.
On a positive note, veteran DE Cameron Jordan had two tackles for losses and a sack.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers were in no mood to tempt fate when they hosted a spry Carolina Panthers squad last week. Knowing a win was imperative, they raced out of the gates and never slowed down, taming the Panthers 48-14.
The most shocking element of that final score was that it was only a 10-7 match at the first quarter’s conclusion. Tampa obliterated Carolina 38-7 the rest of the way. It was also Mayfield’s finest performance of the season. He finished with a stellar 27/32, 359 yards, five TDs and, for once, no picks. WRs Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan both caught a pair of majors.
One would think all that throwing would mean not much of a rushing game, but Bucky Irving still amassed 113 yards on the ground and a 5.7 average. It was a tremendous afternoon for the Bucs. They only have one more step now.
Who Will Win Saints vs. Buccaneers?
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SAINTS
17 -
BUCCANEERS
26
Score
Prediction
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 30 Dec 6:04am | - | - | O +43.5 -110 |
Closing 5 Jan 8:53pm | - | - | U +42.5 -140 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Saints Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
8 |
Rushing |
950 |
Passing |
2145 |
Receiving |
68 |
Sacks |
7.5 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Touchdowns |
9 |
Rushing |
1122 |
Passing |
5 |
Receiving |
59 |
Sacks |
7.5 |
Interceptions |
2 |
Touchdowns | |
Rushing | |
Passing | Did not qualify |
Receiving | |
Sacks | |
Interceptions |
Touchdowns |
1 |
Rushing |
77 |
Passing |
0 |
Receiving |
2 |
Sacks |
1 |
Interceptions |
0 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Buccaneers Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
8 |
Rushing |
950 |
Passing |
2145 |
Receiving |
68 |
Sacks |
7.5 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Touchdowns |
9 |
Rushing |
1122 |
Passing |
5 |
Receiving |
59 |
Sacks |
7.5 |
Interceptions |
2 |
Touchdowns | |
Rushing | |
Passing | Did not qualify |
Receiving | |
Sacks | |
Interceptions |
Touchdowns |
1 |
Rushing |
77 |
Passing |
0 |
Receiving |
2 |
Sacks |
1 |
Interceptions |
0 |
Weather

temp | 68 |
condition | sunny |
wind | Southeast 6mph |
Injuries
Willie Gay (LB)
Kendre Miller (RB)
Juwan Johnson (TE)
Pete Werner (LB)
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR)
Jaylan Ford (LB)
Rico Payton (CB)
Lucas Patrick (OL)
Erik McCoy (C)
Nathan Shepherd (DT)
Lavonte David (LB)
Logan Hall (DL)
Tykee Smith (S)
Sterling Shepard (WR)
Mike Edwards (DB)
Jordan Whitehead (S)
Jamel Dean (CB)
Devin Culp (TE)
Payne Durham (TE)
Bucky Irving (RB)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Willie Gay (LB) | Questionable | Shoulder - 03 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Gay is nursing with a shoulder injury, and it is uncertain if he will be active in the next match. |
|||||
Kendre Miller (RB) | Out | Concussion - 03 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Miller is dealing with concussion, and he is not expected to be active against the Buccaneers on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Juwan Johnson (TE) | Questionable | Knee - 02 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Johnson is hampered by a knee injury, and it remains to be seen if he will participate against the Buccaneers on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Pete Werner (LB) | Questionable | Concussion - 02 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Werner is dealing with a concussion, and it is unclear if he will dress in the next match. |
|||||
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR) | Questionable | Chest - 02 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Valdes-Scantling is managing a chest injury, and it is uncertain if he will suit up against the Buccaneers on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Jaylan Ford (LB) | Out | Leg - 31 / 12 / 24 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Ford is dealing with a leg injury, and he is not expected to feature in the lineup against the Buccaneers on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Rico Payton (CB) | Questionable | Illness - 28 / 12 / 24 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
Payton is ailing with an illness, and it is up in the air if he will take the field against the Raiders on Sunday, December 29th. |
|||||
Lucas Patrick (OL) | out for season | Knee - 25 / 12 / 24 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
Patrick is placed on the injured reserve list with a knee injury, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
Erik McCoy (C) | out for season | Elbow - 24 / 12 / 24 | 1-2 | 0-3 | + - |
McCoy is placed on the injured reserve list with an elbow injury, and there is no timetable for return. |
|||||
Nathan Shepherd (DT) | Questionable | Eye - 24 / 12 / 24 | 1-2 | 0-3 | + - |
Shepherd is nursing an eye injury, and it is uncertain if he will dress against the Raiders on Sunday, December 29th. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lavonte David (LB) | Questionable | Knee - 08 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
David is managing a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Commanders on Sunday, January 12th. |
|||||
Logan Hall (DL) | Questionable | Groin - 08 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Hall is nursing a groin injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Commanders on Sunday, January 12th. |
|||||
Tykee Smith (S) | Questionable | Personal - 08 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Smith is managing a personal matter, and it is unclear if he will participate against the Commanders on Sunday, January 12th. |
|||||
Sterling Shepard (WR) | Questionable | Foot - 08 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Shephard is battling a foot injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Commanders on Sunday, January 12th. |
|||||
Mike Edwards (DB) | Questionable | Quadricep - 08 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Edwards is nursing a quadricep injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Commanders on Sunday, January 12th. |
|||||
Jordan Whitehead (S) | Out indefinitely | Undisclosed - 04 / 01 / 25 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
Whitehead has been placed on the IR/Non-Football-Injury list due to injuries suffered in car accident, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
Jamel Dean (CB) | Questionable | Knee - 03 / 01 / 25 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
Dean is nursing with a knee injury, and it remain to seen if he participate against the Commanders on Sunday, January 12th. |
|||||
Devin Culp (TE) | Questionable | Ribs - 01 / 01 / 25 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
Culp is bothered by a rib injury, and it is undetermined if he will face the Saints on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Payne Durham (TE) | Questionable | Quadricep - 01 / 01 / 25 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
Durham is dealing with a quadriceps injury, and it is yet to be established if he will face Saints on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Bucky Irving (RB) | Questionable | Shoulder - 01 / 01 / 25 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
Irving is nursing with a shoulder injury, and it is unknown if he will be on field against the Saints on Sunday, January 5th. |
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 30 Dec 6:04am - - O +43.5 -110 Closing 5 Jan 8:53pm - - U +42.5 -140 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Saints Team Leaders
Touchdowns 8
Rushing 950
Passing 2145
Receiving 68
Sacks 7.5
Interceptions 3
Touchdowns 9
Rushing 1122
Passing 5
Receiving 59
Sacks 7.5
Interceptions 2
Touchdowns Rushing Passing Did not qualify Receiving Sacks Interceptions Touchdowns 1
Rushing 77
Passing 0
Receiving 2
Sacks 1
Interceptions 0
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Buccaneers Team Leaders
Touchdowns 8
Rushing 950
Passing 2145
Receiving 68
Sacks 7.5
Interceptions 3
Touchdowns 9
Rushing 1122
Passing 5
Receiving 59
Sacks 7.5
Interceptions 2
Touchdowns Rushing Passing Did not qualify Receiving Sacks Interceptions Touchdowns 1
Rushing 77
Passing 0
Receiving 2
Sacks 1
Interceptions 0
-
Weather
temp 68 condition sunny wind Southeast 6mph -
Injuries
Willie Gay (LB)
Questionable Shoulder - 03 / 01 / 25Kendre Miller (RB)
Out Concussion - 03 / 01 / 25Juwan Johnson (TE)
Questionable Knee - 02 / 01 / 25Pete Werner (LB)
Questionable Concussion - 02 / 01 / 25Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR)
Questionable Chest - 02 / 01 / 25Jaylan Ford (LB)
Out Leg - 31 / 12 / 24Rico Payton (CB)
Questionable Illness - 28 / 12 / 24Lucas Patrick (OL)
out for season Knee - 25 / 12 / 24Erik McCoy (C)
out for season Elbow - 24 / 12 / 24Nathan Shepherd (DT)
Questionable Eye - 24 / 12 / 24Lavonte David (LB)
Questionable Knee - 08 / 01 / 25Logan Hall (DL)
Questionable Groin - 08 / 01 / 25Tykee Smith (S)
Questionable Personal - 08 / 01 / 25Sterling Shepard (WR)
Questionable Foot - 08 / 01 / 25Mike Edwards (DB)
Questionable Quadricep - 08 / 01 / 25Jordan Whitehead (S)
Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 04 / 01 / 25Jamel Dean (CB)
Questionable Knee - 03 / 01 / 25Devin Culp (TE)
Questionable Ribs - 01 / 01 / 25Payne Durham (TE)
Questionable Quadricep - 01 / 01 / 25Bucky Irving (RB)
Questionable Shoulder - 01 / 01 / 25Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Willie Gay (LB) Questionable Shoulder - 03 / 01 / 25 0-1 0-1 + - Gay is nursing with a shoulder injury, and it is uncertain if he will be active in the next match.
Kendre Miller (RB) Out Concussion - 03 / 01 / 25 0-1 0-1 + - Miller is dealing with concussion, and he is not expected to be active against the Buccaneers on Sunday, January 5th.
Juwan Johnson (TE) Questionable Knee - 02 / 01 / 25 0-1 0-1 + - Johnson is hampered by a knee injury, and it remains to be seen if he will participate against the Buccaneers on Sunday, January 5th.
Pete Werner (LB) Questionable Concussion - 02 / 01 / 25 0-1 0-1 + - Werner is dealing with a concussion, and it is unclear if he will dress in the next match.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR) Questionable Chest - 02 / 01 / 25 0-1 0-1 + - Valdes-Scantling is managing a chest injury, and it is uncertain if he will suit up against the Buccaneers on Sunday, January 5th.
Jaylan Ford (LB) Out Leg - 31 / 12 / 24 0-1 0-1 + - Ford is dealing with a leg injury, and he is not expected to feature in the lineup against the Buccaneers on Sunday, January 5th.
Rico Payton (CB) Questionable Illness - 28 / 12 / 24 0-2 0-2 + - Payton is ailing with an illness, and it is up in the air if he will take the field against the Raiders on Sunday, December 29th.
Lucas Patrick (OL) out for season Knee - 25 / 12 / 24 0-2 0-2 + - Patrick is placed on the injured reserve list with a knee injury, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Erik McCoy (C) out for season Elbow - 24 / 12 / 24 1-2 0-3 + - McCoy is placed on the injured reserve list with an elbow injury, and there is no timetable for return.
Nathan Shepherd (DT) Questionable Eye - 24 / 12 / 24 1-2 0-3 + - Shepherd is nursing an eye injury, and it is uncertain if he will dress against the Raiders on Sunday, December 29th.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Lavonte David (LB) Questionable Knee - 08 / 01 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - David is managing a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Commanders on Sunday, January 12th.
Logan Hall (DL) Questionable Groin - 08 / 01 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - Hall is nursing a groin injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Commanders on Sunday, January 12th.
Tykee Smith (S) Questionable Personal - 08 / 01 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - Smith is managing a personal matter, and it is unclear if he will participate against the Commanders on Sunday, January 12th.
Sterling Shepard (WR) Questionable Foot - 08 / 01 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - Shephard is battling a foot injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Commanders on Sunday, January 12th.
Mike Edwards (DB) Questionable Quadricep - 08 / 01 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - Edwards is nursing a quadricep injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Commanders on Sunday, January 12th.
Jordan Whitehead (S) Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 04 / 01 / 25 1-1 2-0 + - Whitehead has been placed on the IR/Non-Football-Injury list due to injuries suffered in car accident, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Jamel Dean (CB) Questionable Knee - 03 / 01 / 25 1-1 2-0 + - Dean is nursing with a knee injury, and it remain to seen if he participate against the Commanders on Sunday, January 12th.
Devin Culp (TE) Questionable Ribs - 01 / 01 / 25 1-1 2-0 + - Culp is bothered by a rib injury, and it is undetermined if he will face the Saints on Sunday, January 5th.
Payne Durham (TE) Questionable Quadricep - 01 / 01 / 25 1-1 2-0 + - Durham is dealing with a quadriceps injury, and it is yet to be established if he will face Saints on Sunday, January 5th.
Bucky Irving (RB) Questionable Shoulder - 01 / 01 / 25 1-1 2-0 + - Irving is nursing with a shoulder injury, and it is unknown if he will be on field against the Saints on Sunday, January 5th.