NFL Game of the week – New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 10.20am Mon NZ time
0What the Buc ?
“I paid for these – honest”
By Hamish Girvan
It’s an NFC South divisional match up that is appealing to the eye this week
Last season the Tampa Bay Buccaneers surprisingly fired second year head coach Lovie Smith just when it looked like he was building a team that could compete. At the time rookie quarterback Jameis Winston had completed a traditional rookie season with some good plays and some bad. Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter was given the reigns as the understanding was he could get the best out of Winston. This season started badly for them however they are now on a roll having won 4 straight including wins against the Kansas City Chiefs and the Seattle Seahawks – no easy beats.
Winston seems to have matured now as both a player and personality as he arrived in the NFL with a quite a reputation. A controversial Heisman trophy winner he had sexual assault and shoplifting accusations eventually cleared however character issues were still the perception. These seem to be have put to rest.
The Buccaneers share the lead the division in what has turned into one the weakest in the NFL with last season’s Superbowl finalists, the Carolina Panthers, falling to pieces and the Falcons fading away after a very fast start to the season. No team has more than 7 wins to their name in this division.
That leaves the New Orleans Saints who are an offensive machine. Veteran Quarterback Drew Brees who has still got it and they have the ability to score bulk points on any team. Their defence leaves a lot to be desired though. This is a tough match up for the Buccaneers and they have been tagged as favorites by just under a field goal. A smart bet would be to take the Saints in this one – which could blow the whole division wide open if they win.
Bonus punters tip – Green Bay are playing at home as 2.5 point underdogs this week against the Seattle Seahawks. In the last 15 games at Green Bay’s home field in December they have lost one and won 14. Take Green Bay
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