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Heading into Friday evening, the Bucs-Saints game line was among the most fluid, ranging anywhere from -7 at BetUS.com to -9 at a few other online gambling establishments. 70 percent of those betting the spread were backing the Bucs. Nearly 65 percent of the money line action was likewise on Tampa Bay. An outright win on the money line would pay out $30 for every $10 bet. The total was 46.5 with around 70 percent of total bettors backing the OVER.
A lot rides on this game for New Orleans, which stands to gain home-field advantage throughout the NFC Playoffs with a win against Tampa Bay. The Saints managed to beat Gambling911.com’s number two-ranked Atlanta Falcons on Monday night.
"I don't view it as a check mark in what we've wanted to accomplish," coach Sean Payton said. "We want to accomplish bigger things than just getting into the postseason."
Tampa Bay, meanwhile, come into this game an impressive 9-6 after winning just a few games last season. They had the misfortune of playing in a division that includes both Atlanta and the reigning Super Bowl champion Saints. If they can somehow beat New Orleans, Tampa Bay can still get into the Playoffs. The Bucs will also need Green Bay and the New York Giants to lose however.
Though New Orleans has managed to cover 4 of the last 5 in this series, the Saints have only beaten Tampa Bay by more than the current spread in two of the last six meetings. The Buccaneers won 3 of the previous 5 in the series, losing another of those games by only three points.
Other important trends include the following:
Tampa Bay is 6-0 Against The Spread in their last 6 games as a road underdog of 3.5-10.0. They are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games as a road underdog. The Saints are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games as a home favorite of 3.5-10.0.
The Buccaneers are 11-1 ATS in their last 12 games on fieldturf.
The Buccaneers are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. The Saints are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
The Buccaneers have played exceptional football on the road where they are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 road games.
Tampa Bay continues to perform well heading into Week 17, going 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
The Saints are 8-0 ATS in their last 8 games after allowing less than 250 total yards in their previous game.
New Orleans is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. NFC.
The Saints have not performed well Against The Spread after a Straight Up win. They are just 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games following a S.U. win.
The Saints are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games in Week 17.
Both teams will want this bad and Gambling911.com believes Tampa Bay will ultimately be able to cover the +7.
- Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com
