New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sunday, 10/21/12, 1:00 PM EST, TV: FOX
Opening Point Spread: New Orleans -3
Current Betting Line: New Orleans -2
Opening Total: 49
Current Total: 49.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
New Orleans will seek its second straight victory when traveling to Tampa Bay and playing inside Raymond James Stadium, as the team comes off a week six bye after capturing a 31-24 victory over the San Diego Chargers as 3.5-point home favorites on Oct. 7. The Saints were led by quarterback Drew Brees in that affair, completing 29-of-45 passes for 370 yards, while also throwing for a season-high four touchdowns. New Orleans is 4-8 ATS as a road favorite of seven or less points the last two-plus years, with the OVER going 8-4 in that situation.
The Saints are 23-17 all-time against the Buccaneers, but the two teams have split the season series each year since the 2008 campaign. “We’re still very confident,” stated Saints safety Roman Harper. New Orleans is allowing 456.0 yards per game, which ranks last in the National Football League, as it continues to miss suspended linebacker Jonathan Vilma. The team’s defense has struggled to slow down Sunday’s opposing quarterback, as Josh Freeman has totaled 1,058 yards and six touchdowns with zero interceptions in four games in the series.
Tampa Bay definitely used its bye week to gain an advantage against the Kansas City Chiefs, picking up a 38-10 win as five-point home favorites, as it earned a 203-yard statistical advantage in the process. Freeman threw for 328 yards and three touchdowns, with wide receivers Mike Williams and Vincent Jackson combining for eight catches for 179 yards. Tampa Bay is 1-4 ATS as a home underdog of three points or less since 2010, with the OVER going 4-1 in those contests.
The Buccaneers have really struggled on defense this year, which is a bit surprising due to first-year head coach Greg Schiano’s background, as they’ve surrendered 312.2 yards per game through the air. Tampa Bay will need to focus on stopping New Orleans wide receiver Marques Colston, who finished with nine catches for 131 yards last week, while tying a career-high with three scoring receptions.
Sports bettors will likely back the Saints due to their 8-1 ATS mark following a straight-up win, while the home team is 5-13 ATS in the last 18 meetings in this series.
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