Free Pick: New Orleans 6-7 at Tampa Bay 10-3 12/19/21

This game means a helluva lot to the Saints and, keep in mind, they play Tampa Bay better than anyone else does. If they can somehow win this game, their last three games include Miami, Carolina, and Atlanta and those are all winnable. On the other hand, Tampa Bay has the NFC South locked up, and they are jockeying for the No.1 seed on the NFC. Let’s look at what Vegas thinks.

TOTAL TEAM TOTALS:

Tampa Bay: Total Team Points 28.5 The Bucs are averaging 32 points and 410 total yards per game. Tom Brady has unbelievable stats and is having as good a season as he has ever had, but he is showing subtle signs of needing some help. In recent weeks, the running game has made some improvement behind Leonard Fournette and they are going to need to lean on that more down the stretch. They are going up against a decent New Orleans defense that usually plays well against them. However, Tampa Bay, has scored 30 or more points in all of their home games this year. I will take Tampa Bay OVER 28.5 team points.

New Orleans: 16.5 Total Team Points The Saints are averaging 23 points and Tampa’s defense is allowing 23 points per game so this total seems low to me. I’ll take New Orleans OVER 16.5 team points.

OVER/UNDER 46.5 Combined Team Point Totals: I think both teams are going to score more than their team totals. I will take the OVER.

POINT SPREAD: Tampa Bay is a 11-point favorite This a game that the Saints need to win. And, everyone gets ready when they play Tom Brady and the defending Super Bowl Champs. They are going to play well. The Bucs are in a 3-way tie with Green Bay and Arizona for the top seed and home field advantage in the NFC. So, that is their motivation in this game.

Aaron’s Pick: New Orleans OVER 16.5 team total points

Papa Dudes Pick: New Orleans +11