Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Betting Preview
If the season ended after 12 games both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5) and Minnesota Vikings (6-6) would both make the NFC playoffs under the new format. In Week 13 they go head-to-head with the Vikings coming off an overtime win and the Buccaneers coming off their bye week. The Sunday, December 13 game kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX (regionally) from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
From 1978 to 2001 these teams played twice a year as division rivals. Minnesota leads the all-time series 33-22 and they have won the two most recent meetings in 2017 and 2014. Tampa Bay’s last win in the series came in 2012 and their last home win was in 2008.
Minnesota Vikings Betting Outlook: Run the Ball
In betting with us at RealBookies the Vikings are 6-6 ATS and the over is 8-4 in their 12 games. Minnesota’s offense ranks sixth in the NFL in rushing (145.7 ypg), fourth in total yards (389.8 ypg) and 12th in scoring (26.6 ppg). The defense is 26th against the pass (261.7 ypg), 19th against the run (121 ypg) and 26th in points (27.4 ppg).
Minnesota moved back to .500 overall with a 27-24 overtime win over Jacksonville on Sunday. Quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for 305 yards and three scores as running back Dalvin Cook ran for 120 yards.
On the season Cousins has 3,073 yards with 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He has completed just shy of 70 percent of his passes and been sacked 25 times.
Cook has 1,250 rushing yards on 219 attempts this season. He didn’t score Sunday but leads the NFL with 13 rushing touchdowns and ranks second in yards.
Wideout Justin Jefferson caught nine balls for 121 yards and a touchdown on Sunday while Adam Thielen had eight catches for 75 yards and a score. Jefferson leads the Vikings with 61 catches for 1,039 yards and seven touchdowns while Thielen has 57 catches for 721 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Preview: Bounce Back Off Bye
In betting with us at www.RealBookies.com the Buccaneers are 6-6 ATS and the over is 7-5 in their 12 games. The Bucs offense ranks 10th in the NFL in passing (266.4 ypg), seventh in scoring (28.7 ppg) and 28th in rushing (96.3 ypg). The defense leads the NFL in rushing yards allowed (74.2 ypg), ranks 12th in points allowed (23.3 ppg) and 22nd against the pass (255.8 ypg).
In 12 games this season quarterback Tom Brady has completed 65% of his passes for 3,300 yards. He has 28 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and has been sacked 16 times.
Running back Ronald Jones II leads the team with 820 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Leonard Fournette missed two games with injuries and has three touchdowns to go with 271 rushing yards.
Wideout Mike Evans has 48 catches, 613 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season. Chris Godwin missed four games but still leads the team with 49 catches and adds 562 yards and three scores. Tight end Rob Gronkowski has 37 catches for 505 yards and four touchdowns.
Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Line
Head to our favorite pay per head bookie site at www.RealBookies.com where the Buccaneers are favored by 6.5 points with a total of 52.5 points.
Betting Analysis
This game features strength against strength and strength against weakness. Minnesota is great running the ball but goes up against the top-ranked Buccaneers run defense while Tampa Bay is better throwing the ball and that’s where the Vikings struggle on defense. If Minnesota can’t hold onto the ball with long drives, look for the under to hit.
Free Pick: Total under 52.5 points (-110)
