The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) are 14.5-point favorites on the spread over the New Orleans Saints (5-11) in NFL Week 18. The game total is set at 44.5 (-112o / -108u). The Buccaneers are -1050 favorites to win outright, while the Saints are +675 to pull off the upset.
Sunday's game will kick off at 1:00 p.m. EST from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The game will be broadcast live on FOX.
It's simple for the Bucs in Week 18: win and they clinch the NFC South and a playoff berth. Baker Mayfield is coming off his best game of the season, racking up 5 touchdown passes and 359 yards in a blowout win over the Panthers. The Saints have lost three straight games and have scored just 10 points over their last two games.
Let's get into my Buccaneers vs Saints predictions and NFL picks.
Saints vs. Buccaneers Prediction, Odds, Pick
| Saints Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+14.5 -115 | 44.5 -112o / -108u | +675 |
| Buccaneers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-14.5 -105 | 44.5 -112o / -108u | -1050 |
- Saints vs. Buccaneers spread: Buccaneers -14.5 (-105 ), Saints +14.5 (-115)
- Saints vs. Buccaneers over/under: 44.5 (-112o / -108u)
- Saints vs. Buccaneers moneyline: Saints +675, Buccaneers -1050
- Saints vs. Buccaneers best bet: Saints +14 (-115; DraftKings)
My Saints vs. Buccaneers best bet is on the Saints spread (only at +14 or better). For all of your NFL bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NFL odds page.
Spread
It's an ugly play, but I like the Saints to cover at +14.
I believe this line is inflated with the Saints getting healthier and possibly having key players back for this game.
Moneyline
I have no bet on the moneyline.
Over/Under
I have no bet on the game total.
My Pick: Saints +14 (-115; DraftKings)
Saints vs. Buccaneers NFL Week 18 Preview
I'm on the Saints, but only at +14 or better.
I’ve upgraded the Buccaneers a ton since these teams met earlier this season in New Orleans, and the line closed at Buccaneers -3.5 for that one. Granted, Tampa Bay put up 52 points and blew the Saints out, but New Orleans was winning at halftime.
I’m betting on the Saints showing up against a division rival with a chance to play spoiler. This team has nothing to play for except improving draft position, but this is still a veteran roster that will relish this opportunity.
Also, the Week 18 underdog in this spot has historically done pretty well. Obviously, motivation for each team has been baked into this line, but I’ve preached all season that these players are professionals. No one is going out there with the intention of getting embarrassed.
There’s also a chance that WR Chris Olave and RB Alvin Kamara play this week. Olave is returning from another concussion but is registering full practices. It also sounds like we could see QB Derek Carr play.
Kamara has missed time but he has some contract incentives that he can hit. There will be plenty of motivation here for New Orleans.
I know it’s an ugly play if it’s Spencer Rattler at QB for the Saints in a not-so-great matchup.
The line is simply too inflated, though, so I’ll back New Orleans at +14.
My Pick: Saints +14 (-115; DraftKings)
Buccaneers vs Saints Betting Trends
NFL Weather
