Reigning Super Bowl champions the Tampa Bay Buccaneers welcome the New Orleans Saints to the Raymond James Stadium in a pivotal encounter in the NFC South this Sunday, and our betting expert is on hand with free NFL Picks for the game. Plus, find out how you can get up to a $1,000 welcome bonus at BetOnline

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NFL – Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans SaintsSunday, December 19 at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FLThe game begins at 20:20 ESTBroadcast live on ESPN

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-3; NFC South) will look to end their regular-season hoodoo vs the New Orleans Saints (6-7; NFC South) when the two teams collide on Sunday.

To date, Brady is 0-3 vs the Saints in divisional games. Can the greatest of all time finally end his lean streak vs Sean Payton’s well-drilled defense, and, in doing so, put a serious dampener on the Saints’ playoff aspirations

Well, you’ll have to tune in to find out. But, for the most recent odds available at BetOnline, a full betting preview, the latest team news, and our selection of NFL Picks ahead of the game, see below:

Bucs vs Saints Odds 

Below are the latest NFL odds for Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints as seen on BetOnline on Thursday, December 16.

As always, our betting picks are highlighted in bold (odds subject to change).

Click here to bet on Bucs vs Saints at BetOnline

Bucs vs Saints Preview 

After finally ending a run of five consecutive weeks without a win vs the New York Jets last Sunday, Sean Payton’s New Orleans Saints travel west to Florida to face NFC South division leaders, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, knowing that anything less than a W is likely to spell disaster for the Who Dat Nation’s playoff aspirations.

QB Taysom Hill probably had his best game under center of his entire NFL career in New York. The former Brigham Young standout finished up with 15/21 for 175-yards, 73-yards on the ground, and two rushing touchdowns. More importantly, with regards to the upcoming test vs the Bucs, Hill didn’t throw an interception after getting picked off four times in his two previous games. This gives the Saints hope.

More hope too in the shape of returning RB sensation Alvin Kamara who, after a prolonged three-game absence, returned to form vs the Jets with 145-yards from scrimmage and one TD. The Saints receiving corps are still struggling; Hill is still error-prone when it comes to throwing the deep ball. But, with both Kamara and Hill offering such impact on the ground, the path to victory for the Saints is clear cut:

Don’t give up big yards defensively; slam the ball up the middle; run play action, and continue to be efficient in the Red Zone (Saints rank 2nd in the NFL with a 75.05% Red Zone conversion rate).

Tampa Bay, on the other hand, has seen fine form from their Bucs of late. Since losing to the Saints and then Washington in back-to-back games, Bruce Arians’ team has gone on a four-game winning run, beating the likes of the Colts, Giants, Falcons, and, most recently, the Buffalo Bills in an overtime thriller last weekend.

NFL Picks – Will QB Tom Brady’s run of form vs Saints continue

QB Tom Brady leads the NFL in passing touchdowns (36) and passing yards per game (318-YPG). His link-up play with receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans has led to 1,939-yards and 16 TDs to date. The Saints’ secondary is middle of the road at best this year. Marshon Lattimore and co. do have a tendency to raise the level vs the Bucs (Brady has been picked off seven times in three games vs Saints). But, the entire unit will need to be at its absolute best to compete with Brady and the boys come Sunday.

Pivotal to how the Bucs pass attack unfolds will be the hard yards gained on the ground by Bucs RB Leonard Fournette (1,199-yards from scrimmage and 10 TDs). If the former Jaguar gets going and forces the Saints secondary up even a fraction, it’ll be a long night’s work for the likes of New Orleans rookie CB Paulson Adebo.

Bucs vs Saints Team News

New Orleans’ offense will have to manage without legendary RB Mark Ingram who misses out due to COVID. WRs Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Deonte Harris (SUSP) are unavailable, too, as are LT Terron Armstead and LG Andrus Peat (IR). RT Ryan Ramzyck is questionable to play vs the Bucs. But early reports indicate that Ramcyzk will play at least a limited role.

On Dennis Allen’s defense, the Saints have concerns over the fitness of LDE Cam Jordan who is suffering from COVID and likely to miss out and of RDE Marcus Davenport.

As for the Bucs, WR Antonio Brown remains suspended after getting caught out deliberately lying about his COVID vaccination status. RB Leonard Fournette missed Wednesday’s practice with a sore ankle but is expected to feature.

There are also some concerns over the health of what’s left of Tampa’s secondary, with CB Richard Sherman and Ss Jordan Whitehead & Antoine Winfield Jr. all currently listed as questionable for Sunday’s visit of the Saints.

NFL Picks: Bucs vs Saints

This is such a tough game to call. On paper, it’s the Bucs game to lose. They have MVP front-runner Tom Brady in hot form behind the line and the offense is clicking on all cylinders, especially considering Fournette’s recent form.

However, the Saints have proven three out of three times to be No.12’s bogey team in the NFC South. Sean Payton and Dennis Allen have outthought Arians and Brady at every turn in terms of the defensive schemes they dial-up. And, the pair have already proven they can get the job done against division leaders with their backup QBs in play, too. QB1 Jameis Winston went down injured early on the last time the Saints met the Bucs at the Dome (Saints won 36-27).

With this in mind, we’re not brave enough to vouch for the Saints on the moneyline, and that’s despite the excellent +500 odds available! But, it’s certainly true that we’re less convinced that the Bucs will wipe the floor with New Orleans than the oddsmakers are…

Prediction: Bucs win a close one; Saints beat the +10.5 spread (-105)

Click here to bet on the Saints to beat the +10.5 spread (-105)  at BetOnline

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