The NFC South’s two best teams will face off in Week 8. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-1) lead the division and will visit the New Orleans Saints (4-2) on Sunday. Both teams pride themselves on run defenses, but the visitors have a significantly better passing attack. Can the Saints gain ground on the leaders, or will they lose their second home game of the year?
Kickoff is at the Caesars Superdome is set for 4:25 p.m. ET. Tampa Bay is a 4.5-point favorite in the latest Buccaneers vs. Saints odds from Caesars Sportsbook, and the Over-Under for total points scored is 49.5. Before locking in any Saints vs. Buccaneers picks, you need to check out the NFL predictions and analysis from the red-hot SportsLine Projection Model.
The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up almost $7,700 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception six-plus years ago. The model enters Week 8 of the 2021 season on an incredible 126-85 run on top-rated NFL picks that dates back to the 2017 season.
The model also ranked in the top 10 on NFLPickWatch four of the past five years on straight-up NFL picks and beat more than 94 percent of CBS Sports Football Pick ’em players four times during that span. Anyone who has followed it is way up.
Now, the model has broken down Buccaneers vs. Saints on Sunday and just released its coveted picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s Week 8 NFL picks. Here are several NFL odds and betting lines for Buccaneers vs. Saints:
- Buccaneers vs. Saints spread: Buccaneers -4.5
- Buccaneers vs. Saints over-under: 49.5 points
- Buccaneers vs. Saints money line: Tampa Bay -220, New Orleans +180
- TB: Buccaneers are 10-1 straight-up in their last 11 road games
- NO: Saints are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games against the Buccaneers
Featured Game | New Orleans Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Why the Buccaneers can cover
The reigning champs are off to a strong start and haven’t lost since falling short against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3. While their only loss of the year came on the road and they’ve only won their away games by an average of four points, their weak secondary isn’t likely to be exposed in this matchup. New Orleans’ stagnant passing attack hasn’t been able to stretch defenses consistently.
The Saints’ receiving corps is underwhelming without Michael Thomas. Only the Chicago Bears have fewer passing yards this season. New Orleans has had to rely on running back Alvin Kamara to move the chains, but the Buccaneers’ prolific run defense is equipped to slow him down.
Why the Saints can cover
New Orleans is riding a two-game winning streak and has enjoyed plenty of success against Tampa Bay without spectacular quarterback play. The Saints are 5-1 straight-up in their last six games against the Buccaneers. Their well-rounded defense has a lot to do with that.
The Saints have given up the second-fewest rushing yards in the NFL, and they’re prolific against the pass as well. Only the Buffalo Bills have allowed fewer touchdowns, which could spell trouble for a Buccaneers offense that relies on the pass. Antonio Brown is out with an ankle sprain, but Rob Gronkowski could play for the first time since Week 3. This game could go down to the wire if Tampa Bay’s receiving corps isn’t at 100 percent.
How to make Buccaneers vs. Saints picks
The model is leaning under on the total point. It projects both sides to combine for 49 points. It also says that one side of the spread cashes in well over 50 percent of simulations. You can only see the model’s Saints vs. Buccaneers picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Saints vs. Buccaneers? And which side of the spread cashes well over 50 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Saints vs. Buccaneers spread you should be all over, all from the model on a 126-85 roll on its top-rated NFL picks, and find out.
