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Tampa Bay Buccanees at Philadelphia Eagles NFL Betting Odds & Picks

Written by Jimmy Boyd

bucs eagles 10709 The Tampa Bay Buccaneers head to Lincoln Financial Field looking for their first win of the season against the 2-1 Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday. Last week, the Bucs blew an opportunity to pick up their first win against the Redskins, blowing a 10-0 halftime lead. The Eagles are coming off a bye week and it happened at a pretty good time as it has enabled Donovan McNabb to get healthier. These two NFC foes have not met since 2006 when Bucs place kicker Matt Bryant connected on a 62-yard field goal to beat the Eagles 23-21. That win marked Tampa Bay’s third straight in the series, but the all-time series is all evened up at seven games a piece. NFL odds makers fully expect Philadelphia to end its three-game skid to Tampa Bay Sunday, listing the Eagles as a 15-point favorite with the total set at 43.

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For the Buccaneers to get in the win column this week, they are going to need a strong game from QB Josh Johnson and they can’t turn the ball over. First off, the Bucs are 18-2 in their last 20 games without a turnover. Johnson got off to a fast start last week against the Redskins, throwing an eight yard touchdown strikes on his first pass attempt. But the rest of the game he wasn’t very consistent and did not look comfortable in the pocket. If he wasn’t comfortable hanging in the pocket last week, then he may not even want to suit up this week against a blitz-happy Eagles defense that ranks second in the NFL against the pass.

Defensively, I’m keeping my eyes on Aqib Talib. His talent is immense and he showed that by tying a team record with three interceptions against the Redskins. But you have to know when to gamble and when not to as Talib was also the player that got beat on Santana Moss’ 59-yard game-winning touchdown catch. He could be matched up on Eagles burner DeSean Jackson this week. Another big play or two by Talib against a, perhaps, rusty Donovan McNabb, and the Bucs could find themselves right in this football game. It is worth noting that the Buccaneers are 4-1-1 against the spread in their last six games as a road underdog of 10.5 or more points. If you think odds makers are spotting Tampa Bay too many, bet the Bucs at +15 at Sportsbook.com.

McNabb is expected back under center for the Vikings this week and he will likely have to play well for Philly to cover this large number. It is also going to be interesting to see how the Eagles use Michael Vick now that McNabb is expected back in the starting lineup. Vick didn’t do much damage in the few snaps he got last game against the Chiefs. While teams definitely have to worry about game-breaker DeSean Jackson, who is averaging over 21 yards a catch, they are also going to have to start making tight end Brent Celek a marked man. Celek is coming off back-to-back 100-yard receiving efforts. It is also worth noting that the Eagles are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games following a bye week. If you think Philadelphia won’t miss a beat with the return of Donovan McNabb, bet the Eagles at -15 at Sportsbook.com.

Make sure you consult the NFL picks of World Champion Handicapper Jimmy Boyd before making a single move this week!

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