NFL Preview: New Orleans Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The New Orleans Saints (5-11) will attempt to add another win on the season when they head to Raymond James Stadium and face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) on Sunday, January 5 at 1:00 PM ET. Looking at NFL betting odds, it shows the Bucs favored with a point spread at -13.5 (-105 MyBookie).

New Orleans Saints Betting Preview

The Saints are currently on a three-game losing streak and are likely still without several starters offensively for the next battle. Their latest defeat was a 25-10 performance against the Las Vegas Raiders.

They only scored their 10 points in the second quarter and were unable to replicate that success at all the rest of the game. Spencer Rattler was in for Derek Carr under center, as will likely start again. Rattler completed 20 of 36 passes, had 218 yards, a touchdown, and two costly interceptions.

They put up 269 yards and 13 first downs, but allowed the Raiders to earn 388 yards and 22 first downs. Their defense had a hard time getting the Saints off the field, as they had possession of the ball for nearly 38 minutes.

The Saints are 23rd in the league for averaging 19.9 points each battle. On defense they take a step back, as they are 18th in allowing opponents to put up 23.2 points per matchup. This negative correlation is a glimpse of why their season has had issues.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Preview

The Bucs have a chance to earn double-digit wins this season, which has not been done since 2021. They are coming off a 48-14 blowout victory over the Carolina Panthers, giving them a great confidence boost.

They finally cooled off a bit in the fourth quarter, posting just seven points after three consecutive quarters of 10 or more points. Baker Mayfield compiled 359 yards and five touchdowns on 27 of 32 completions.

Their offense stayed on the field for most of the game, as they had possession for a little over 41 minutes. They had more than double of total yards compared to the Panthers at 551 and 33 first downs.

The Bucs post the fourth-best offense at 29.7 points a game. Their defense could use some work to back up their offense, as they rank 17th in allowing opponents to average 22.9 points a game.

Odds, Series Trends, and Free Pick

MyBookie offers you the best New Orleans Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers betting odds, with the Bucs favored by 13.5 points. Matchup predictions insist that the Bucs have a 79.7 percent chance of winning.

With Evans needing 85 more yards to break 1,000 on the season, you can expect the offense to go through him a lot. The Bucs are also wanting to fine tune both sides of the ball before a playoff run, so look for them to cover the spread. 

Final Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers -13.5 (-105)