The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) will try to clinch their playoff spot when they host the New Orleans Saints (5-11) on Sunday afternoon. Tampa Bay has won five of its last six games, setting up a win-and-in situation in Week 18. The Bucs will also secure the NFC South title with a victory over New Orleans. The Saints have lost four of their last five games, falling to the Raiders in a 25-10 final last week.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay is favored by 14.5 points in the latest Buccaneers vs. Saints odds, while the over/under is 44.5. Before entering any Saints vs. Buccaneers picks, you'll want to see the NFL predictions from the model at SportsLine.
The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up well over $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The model enters Week 18 of the 2024 NFL season on a 30-14 betting hot streak on top-rated NFL picks this year, a stunning 68% success rate. Longer term, it is on a 210-142 roll on top-rated NFL picks that dates back to the 2017 season and a 64-35 roll on top-rated NFL picks since Week 7 of 2022.
The model also ranked in the top 10 on NFLPickWatch four of the past six years on straight-up NFL picks and beat more than 94% of CBS Sports Football Pick'em players four times during that span. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps has seen strong returns.
The model has set its sights on New Orleans vs. Tampa Bay. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NFL betting lines for the Bucs vs. Saints game:
- Buccaneers vs. Saints spread: Buccaneers -14.5
- Buccaneers vs. Saints over/under: 44.5 points
- Buccaneers vs. Saints money line: Buccaneers -1429, Saints +842
- Buccaneers vs. Saints picks: See picks here
- Buccaneers vs. Saints streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)
Why the Buccaneers can cover
The Buccaneers have found their best form at the perfect time, winning five of their last six games to take over first place in the NFC South. They have won four of those games by at least 15 points, showcasing their ability to cover a spread of this size. Their latest performance was a 48-14 win over the Panthers last week, as quarterback Baker Mayfield completed 27 of 32 passes for 359 yards and five touchdowns.
Running back Bucky Irving provided balance for the offense by rushing for 113 yards on 20 carries, averaging 5.7 yards per carry. The Buccaneers have already blown out the Saints once this season, cruising to a 51-27 road win in Week 6. Mayfield had 325 passing yards and four touchdowns, leading the Buccaneers to their fourth win in their last five games against the Saints. See which team to pick here.
Why the Saints can cover
While Tampa Bay has won four of the last five meetings between these teams, New Orleans has covered the spread in nine of the last 13 matchups. The Saints have covered in six straight trips to Tampa Bay, and they have only been underdogs of 8-plus points once this season. Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler is expected to draw a third straight start this week, as Derek Carr has been sidelined with a hand injury and has been ruled out for this one as well.
Rattler rushed for a career-high 46 yards last week, providing some versatility to the offense. Star running back Alvin Kamara is dealing with a groin injury and is doubtful for the regular season finale. Jamaal Williams, Jordan Mims and Clyde Edwards-Helaire are the healthy running backs on the roster. See which team to pick here.
How to make Buccaneers vs. Saints picks
The model has simulated Saints vs. Buccaneers 10,000 times and the results are in. We can tell you that the model is leaning Under, and it's also generated a point-spread pick that cashes in nearly 60% of simulations. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Buccaneers vs. Saints on Sunday, and which side of the spread cashes in nearly 60% of simulations? Visit SportsLine right now to see which side of the New Orleans vs. Tampa Bay spread you should be all over Sunday, all from the model on a 210-142 roll on its top-rated NFL picks, and find out.
