The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, aiming for an intra-division sweep. The Buccaneers, with a record of 7-5, are currently positioned favorably in the NFC South. Meanwhile, the Saints, with a struggling 2-10 record, have been officially eliminated from playoff contention.
NFL Week 14 Predictions: Saints Take on Buccaneers
Despite the wide gap in standings, the Saints have historically performed well in recent matchups against Tampa Bay, winning five of their last seven games at this venue. The Buccaneers are 8.5-point favorites for the upcoming game. Analysts express mixed feelings about the Buccaneers’ consistency, especially as they tend to “play to the level” of their opponents.
Key Factors to Watch
- The Saints showed resilience in their last game against the Dolphins.
- The Buccaneers are regaining health, but injury reports raise concerns about star left tackle Tristan Wirfs.
- Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough’s performance has been unpredictable, which may affect Tampa Bay’s success.
Analyst Predictions
National analysts are generally backing the Buccaneers, but opinions on the spread vary:
- NFL.com: All five analysts favor the Buccaneers.
- ESPN.com: 11 analysts unanimously choose the Buccaneers.
- CBSSports.com: Pete Prisco predicts victory but not by 8.5 points.
- USA Today: Six analysts tout Buccaneers winning, with mixed feelings on covering the spread.
- Bleacher Report: Four out of seven experts predict the Saints will cover the spread.
- Pro Football Talk: Analysts Mike Florio and Chris Simms go with the Buccaneers.
- Sports Illustrated: The MMQB team favors the Buccaneers as well.
- Sporting News: Bill Bender predicts a two-touchdown win for the Buccaneers.
As the December stretch becomes critical for playoff positioning, the Buccaneers must leverage their home advantage to secure a vital win against a rival. The stakes are high for Tampa Bay, aiming for their fifth consecutive division title amidst lingering injury concerns and a challenging schedule ahead.
