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New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Betting Odds & Picks

Written by Jimmy Boyd on November 27, 2008

The Tampa Bay Bucs have ridden a three-game winning streak to the top of the NFC South and now they are set to begin a stretch of games against division rivals that could help or hinder their chances of being crowned division champs. The New Orleans Saints have won back-to-back games for the first time all season to get themselves back in the playoff picture. NFL odds makers have listed the defending NFC South champion Buccaneers as 3.5-point favorites with the total set at 47.5.

The Bucs have followed an odd pattern of winning the division and then finishing in the cellar under coach Gruden, but this season they have a shot to win back-to-back NFC South titles. New Orleans was the odds on favorite to win the NFC South prior to the season and is looking to return to the form that saw it reach the NFC title game in 2006. Tampa Bay is 8-3 and tied with Carolina for the division lead after last Sunday’s 38-20 rout of the Lions and the Panthers’ 45-28 loss to third-place Atlanta. The Bucs can pull away from the pack if they are able to play well against New Orleans, Carolina, and Atlanta over the next three weeks.

It will be no cake walk for the Bucs this week against a surging Saints team that bring the NFL’s top rated offense to town. The 6-5 Saints are looking to become even more legit with a win over their division rivals for the second time this season. The Saints opened the season with a 24-20 win over the Bucs and come into this week’s contest with strong momentum following a 51-29 rout over a solid Green Bay team. The Saints are currently in last place in the NFC South but just two games out of first place. Including this contest, New Orleans has remaining games with all three division rivals which definitely gives it a chance to make a postseason run. The Saints lead the NFL in total offense, averaging 411.9 yards per game and are fourth in scoring with 28.8 points per game. They should get an added boost in the backfield with the explosive Reggie Bush expected to return. Bush was pivotal in New Orleans first win over the Bucs with 51 rushing yards and 112 receiving yards. Last week marked just another typical Drew Brees performance. The Saints QB was 20 of 26 for 323 yards an four touchdowns while posting a career-high QB rating of 157.5. Okay, maybe he was even a little bit better than his own lofty standards. Brees has 3,574 yards passing this season, which is on pace to break Dan Marino’s 1984 record of 5,084. Last week’s performance becomes even more spectacular when you consider that Green Bay was the NFL’s third ranked pass defense. If you like New Orleans to keep rolling behind Brees this week, bet the Saints at BetUS.

Brees will have to be up to the challenge once again against a Bucs team that is second in the NFL in pass defense, allowing just 117.2 passing yards over their last five games. Brees has had trouble finding his rhythm on the road and that could be what gives the Bucs the edge. He has just five touchdowns passes against seven interceptions in five road games this season compared to 17 touchdown strikes and four picks in five home games. The Saints started the season 0-4 on the road before picking up a 30-20 win at lowly Kansas City two weeks ago.

Tampa Bay has been among the NFL’s elite at home this season with a 5-0 mark and it has been getting the job done with defense. The Bucs are third in the league in scoring defense, allowing just 16.4 ppg and fourth in total defense, allowing only 288.9 ypg. The other reason for their success has been veteran QB Jeff Garcia. The Bucs are 5-1 since he regained the starting job he lost following a poor outing in the season opener against the Saints. One might say that throughout his career he has been a Saints killer though. In seven career games against the Saints, Garcia has thrown for 1,821 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. If you like Tampa Bay at home this week, bet the Buccaneers at BetUS.

Betting NFL with Jimmy Boyd now through the Super Bowl is going to make you a wealthy man. Try Jimmy’s NFL picks on for size this week and your bankroll will thank you.

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