OUR PICK
SAINTS
A pivotal Monday night clash in the woeful NFC South division will close out a thrilling NFL Week 13 slate. The 4-8 New Orleans Saints will head to Tampa Bay to do battle with Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs enter with a 5-6 record, and somehow still lead this division where every team currently sits beneath .500.
NFC South standings after Falcons’ loss to Steelers today.
Bucs 5-6
Falcons 5-8
Panthers 4-8#Saints 4-8Saints and Bucs play Monday. Panthers are having their bye week.
— Rod Walker (@RodWalkerNola) December 4, 2022
Both teams enter neck-and-neck despite their poor showings so far in 2022. And given the fact that the Bucs beat New Orleans back in Week 2, it makes it all the more crucial for Dennis Allen’s Saints team on Monday night.
The Saints looked dreadful again last week, getting shut out in northern California to the 49ers by a score of 13-0. Their offense remains in disarray, and though their defense gives them chances to win on a weekly basis, that’s not a sustained path to success.
Tampa Bay meanwhile is also entering off a demoralizing loss, as they blew a lead late, only to go on and lose 23-17 in overtime to the Cleveland Browns. Tampa’s veteran crew was uncharacteristically poor with the game on the line, and now face a pivotal showdown on Monday Night Football.
Slowly, the #Saints are getting healthier. RB Alvin Kamara (illness) and DE Cam Jordan (eye) are both expected to play, source said. Meanwhile, CB Marshon Lattimore (abdomen) is progressing well, but not quite ready to play today, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 27, 2022
With all that is on the line for both sides, it will be interesting to see which group will rise to the occasion and make plays when it matters most. Tom Brady didn’t come out of retirement for such a mediocre finish to a legendary career, but the Saints can ruin it in a big way here in Week 13. For added insight and analysis, continue reading on beneath the posted odds for a full matchup preview, trends, and the latest information to help you make an informed decision for Week 13’s Monday night Bucs vs. Saints showdown. Enjoy the game!
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints Live Odds & Betting History
Betting odds provided by BOVADA
| TEAMS | SAINTS | BUCCANEERS |
| MONEYLINE | +160 | -180 |
| SPREAD | +3.5 (-120) | -3.5 (+100) |
| TOTAL | Over 41 (-110) | Under 41 (-110) |
| TEAM DATA | SAINTS | BUCCANEERS |
| Overall Record | 4-8 | 5-6 |
| ATS Record | 4-8 | 5-6 |
| Home/Away Record | 2-4 | 3-2 |
| Points Per Game | 20.8 | 18.3 |
| Points Against Per Game | 23.3 | 18.7 |
| Passing Yards Per Game | 232.8 | 266.2 |
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 113.0 | 73.8 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints Prediction
It’s unfortunate what Tom Brady’s final season in the NFL has turned into, but it could get significantly worse Monday night with another crushing defeat.
The Saints enter at 4-8, but still somehow have a shot at the playoffs with a win over the Bucs on Monday Night Football. Their defense figures to again be problematic for opposing offenses, and the Saints have been excellent against Brady since he began his tenure in Tampa Bay.
Mike Evans in 11 career matchups against Marshon Lattimore:
7-147-1
…
5-55-0
4-86-0
4-64-0
3-61-0 (ejected)
2-48-1
1-14-0 (injured after just 17 snaps)
1-13-0
1-3-1
1-2-1
0-0-0— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) November 30, 2022
New Orleans does things that frustrate the Hall of Famer, and should continue to do just that on Monday night. The Saints do a great job of generating pressure without blitzing heavily, and that has continued in 2022. Without Tristan Wirfs, the Saints should be able to hound Brady without much resistance. Brady isn’t going to have much time or space, and look for Tampa Bay to turn to the run game to alleviate heavy Saints’ defensive pressure.
The Saints know they can get stops defensively, but they’ll simply have to find ways to put points up if they want to contend for the post-season.
Andy Dalton three near misses on potential touchdowns (two did come on the same drive) pic.twitter.com/iGjG9oOPMM
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) November 28, 2022
Last week in San Francisco, they were dreadful – though there is good reason to believe that they’ll face different fortunes here in Week 13. San Francisco’s defensive line is one of the best, and applied all sorts of pressure on Andy Dalton without committing heavy numbers in blitz packages. The Bucs can’t do that, especially now with the absence of Shaq Barrett due to injury. As a result, Tampa will have to send blitzers with regularity, something Dalton handles exceptionally well. This season, he has completed 67% of his passes when facing extra rushers, with six TD’s and just one interception! Dalton says bring on the blitz!
On the ground, it’s been a dismal season for Alvin Kamara – but he remains a dangerous, dual-threat weapon coming out of the backfield. Tampa Bay sits 28th in the entire league in adjusted run defense, and it seems unlikely they’ll be able to stop Kamara consistently. The Saints seem to have multiple avenues to moving the chains, and should find lots of success in Week 13.
Tom Brady finds Chris Godwin for the Bucs touchdown!! pic.twitter.com/w0sASUjV2V
— Brian Y (@byysports) November 27, 2022
Saints vs. Buccaneers Trends To Know:
- Saints are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Buccaneers are 36-63 ATS at home in the previous 99 instances.
- Saints have won 17 of the last 23 meetings.
- Buccaneers are 0-8-1 ATS in their last 9 games on grass.
Look for the underdog Saints to be able to really assert themselves along both lines of scrimmage. New Orleans can do things that can truly trouble Tom Brady and this struggling Bucs’ attack, and expect Tampa’s woes to continue on Monday Night Football. The Saints will find a way back into a convoluted playoff picture with a road victory here in Week 13.
