SNF Week 9: Saints 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)
November 5th, 2020
An important NFC South showdown is set for Sunday night (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC) as the New Orleans Saints (5-2) square off with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2) at Raymond James Stadium. Which team will emerge with the division lead when this one goes final? Here’s our Sunday Night Football preview.
Both clubs survived scares on Halloween weekend
The Saints needed overtime in order to down the Bears in Week 8, 26-23. The Drew Brees-to-Alvin Kamara connection worked smartly (nine receptions on 13 targets, 96 yards), but New Orleans’ offense still looked disjointed without wide receiver Michael Thomas, who is considered questionable for Week 9 (hamstring).
WIL LUTZ WALK-OFF GAME WINNER
— PFF (@PFF) November 2, 2020
pic.twitter.com/7GJpa0fvXG
The Buccaneers were down 14-6 to the hapless Giants at the half on Monday Night Football before battling back for a narrow 25-23 victory. However, they failed to cover the 12.5-point spread.
Fresh faces add intrigue
New Orleans acquired linebacker Kwon Alexander from the ailing 49ers for a fifth-round selection, further beefing up their elite run stoppers.
Wide receiver Antonio Brown will make his first NFL appearance since Week 2 of the 2019 campaign when he suits up for Tampa Bay on Sunday. It remains to be seen if the seven-time Pro Bowler can still compete at the highest level of the game. Tampa could really use Brown with Chris Godwin (finger) and Scotty Miller (hip/groin) both being limited in Wednesday’s practice and questionable for this matchup.
Antonio Brown is ready to win.
— theScore (@theScore) November 4, 2020
He’s also rocking the TB12 hat. 👀👌
(🎥: @Buccaneers) pic.twitter.com/skhJdpXDBl
Brees to battle terrifying Tampa defense
The Buccaneers are tied for the NFL lead in interceptions with the Colts (11). Tampa has also tallied the second-most sacks per game (3.5) in the league, so Brees must exercise extreme caution when he drops back in the pocket on Sunday night.
Devin White hit 'em with the hesi for the sack 🔥 @DevinWhite__40 @Buccaneers
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) November 3, 2020
📺 #TBvsNYG on ESPN pic.twitter.com/TTMnih61Re
Kamara could struggle on the ground too – the Bucs’ run stoppers pace the NFL in that department (70.4 yards allowed per game).
Saints and Buccaneers statistics and rankings
| Team | Passing Yards | Rushing Yards | Passing Yards Allowed | Rushing Yards Allowed |
|---|
New Orleans Saints | 266.6 (7th) | 119.3 (14th) | 237.9 (17th) | 90.6 (3rd) |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 265.8 (8th) | 102.6 (23rd) | 229.1 (14th) | 70.4 (1st) |
Brady, Buccaneers should relish their red zone trips
Tampa Bay should face little resistance in the red zone. They’ve tallied touchdowns in 77.4% of their red zone trips in 2020 – third in the NFL – while New Orleans’ defense is yielding a league-worst 83.3% touchdown conversion rate once their opponent gains the 20-yard line.
Negative New Orleans trends say take Tampa
The Saints are 1-5 against the spread over their last six games and have failed to cover in five consecutive contests following a straight-up victory. The Buccaneers have covered in four straight games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Predicted score: Buccaneers 28, Saints 20
NFL pick: Buccaneers -4.5
Wager on all NFL Week 9 action now at BetAmerica.
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