Vikes-Buccs
Time: 1 PM ET
Spread: TAM -3
Total: 43

Not much can seem to go right for Tampa Bay this year, but this may be just the week to get its first home victory of the year and first win in the month of October. Despite having lost two straight and being 0-3 at home, the Buccaneers are 3-point favorites over the Minnesota Vikings this week.

Tampa ranks near the bottom of most statistical categories on both ends of the ball. Last week, the Bucs gave up 48 points to the Baltimore Ravens, and in the last four weeks, the opposing team has scored 56, 24, 31 and 48. The Bucs allow 294.5 passing yards per game (worst in NFL), while also giving up 128.3 to the rush (25th).

Offensively, the Bucs have done little well either. Second-year QB Mike Glennon has been thrust into the drivers seat, and the Bucs aren’t overly discouraged yet. The 3rd round pick from NC State has posted some efficient stats. He’s compiled seven TDs to just three INTs. Western Kentucky product Bobby Rainey has been good in the backfield, if nothing else. The third-year pro is averaging 4.9 yards per carry on 54 attempts, though he has fumbled three already and lost three. He’ll have to improve that facet tremendously to render this Bucs competitive on a week by week basis.

As bad as things are in Tampa Bay, they are nearly or equally as bad in Minnesota. The Vikings have dropped three straight games, including a 17-16 loss to the Buffalo Bills last week. Teddy Bridgewater has had too much thrown on his lap all at once with Matt Cassel’s indefinitely injured foot fracture. He’s shown flashes of having the makings of a great QB, but at this point, he is someone with a 56.1 passer rating in losses and someone who has just one TD while having thrown five picks.

Bridgewater’s best game came in the 41-28 win over the Falcons when he threw 63.3 percent for completion with a 10.5 yard per reception average. He also rushed for 27 yards in that victory, something he did early, but he’s managed just 18 yards the last two games.