NFL Week 14: Vikings vs. Buccaneers odds, preview, and pick
Tom Brady (12) of the Buccaneers warms up before the regular season game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire)
December 11th, 2020
A pair of clubs on the fringe of the NFC playoff picture will square off at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday afternoon (1:00 p.m. ET, FOX) as the Minnesota Vikings (6-6) visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5).
Will the Vikings grab their sixth win in seven games, or will the Buccaneers bounce back off two straight losses? Here’s our wagering preview.
Minnesota has made hay against inferior opponents
The Vikings may own a 5-1 mark over their last six contests, but the current combined record of the opponents they faced in that span is 27-45. Four of their five victories were decided by only one score.
It wasn't easy.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 6, 2020
It wasn't pretty.
But a win is a win. pic.twitter.com/eKyLaMtitv
Minnesota’s record against winning teams this season is a woeful 1-4.
Tampa has legitimate excuses for terrible tail-end of November
After scraping by the Giants in their first November game, the Buccaneers dropped three of their next four contests. However, all three of their losses came against teams with winning records.
Of those three teams – the New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Rams, and Kansas City Chiefs – the latter two beat Tom Brady and company by just three points apiece.
FINAL: Chiefs 27, Buccaneers 24.
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) November 30, 2020
For the 1st time in their matchup, it was Tom Brady who had to watch Patrick Mahomes end the game.
The Chiefs are 10-1. The AFC's top playoff seed is still in their pursuit.
Dalvin Cook should be shut down
Halfback Dalvin Cook has been instrumental to the Vikings’ success this year, racking up the second-most yards in the NFL this season behind only Derrick Henry (1,317 to 1,250). However, his effectiveness is likely to be limited by the Bucs’ stellar run stoppers.
Tampa has yet to allow a 100-yard rusher in 2020, and they lead the league in rushing yards allowed per game (74.2).
The @Buccaneers defense dominated in Week 6. 🔒
— NFL (@NFL) October 24, 2020
How they shut down the potent Packers offense. (via @BaldyNFL) pic.twitter.com/iGv0ye4Lh7
The Bucs’ secondary has been somewhat soft this season (255.8 passing yards allowed per game, 22nd in the NFL), but Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins does not seem capable of mitigating Tampa’s tenacious pass rush (34 sacks, sixth in the league).
Vikings and Buccaneers statistics and rankings
| Team Name | Passing Yards | Rushing Yards | Passing Yards Allowed | Rushing Yards Allowed |
|---|
Minnesota Vikings | 244.2 (16th) | 145.7 (6th) | 261.7 (27th) | 121.0 (18th) |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 266.4 (9th) | 96.3 (27th) | 255.8 (22nd) | 74.2 (1st) |
Brady should bludgeon Vikings’ shoddy stoppers
The Vikings have allowed the sixth-most passing yards per game in the NFL this year (261.7). Brady, who leads the ninth-best aerial attack in the league (266.4 yards per game), should be licking his chops ahead of this matchup.
Even if Mike Evans is unable to suit up, Brady still has a litany of options at his disposal, including veteran tight end Rob Gronkowski. “Gronk” had 106 yards on six receptions in Week 12 against the Chiefs.
Trends say take the favorite
Tampa has covered in four straight contests following a straight-up loss. The Bucs are also 6-1 against the spread in their last seven games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous tilt.
Score prediction: Buccaneers 34, Vikings 20
NFL pick: Buccaneers -6.5
Wager on all NFL Week 14 action on BetAmerica!
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