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Buccaneers vs. Saints Picks, Predictions & Player Props: NFC South Title on the Line

Published January 4, 2025
6 min read
  • The Buccaneers can win the NFC South with a victory on Sunday

  • Mike Evans needs five catches and 85 yards for a $3M bonus 

  • Baker Mayfield is second in passing TDs with 39 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday with a chance to win the NFC South. Since the Falcons lost to the Commanders last week, Tampa Bay has sole possession of first place in the division. 

The Buccaneers are a legitimate threat heading into the NFC postseason if they can win on Sunday. The team has one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL, and they would host a home playoff game. 

The Saints don’t present many challenges to the Buccaneers. Yet, they will look to play spoiler on the road on Sunday. 

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Buccaneers vs. Saints Odds

Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook. Head over to FanDuel and claim $250 in bonus bets after creating an account and winning your first bet of at least $5.

TeamSpreadMoneylineTotal
Tampa Bay Buccaneers-13.5 (-105)-900Over 43.5 (-110)
New Orleans Saints+13.5 (-115)+610Under 43.5 (-110)
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Buccaneers vs. Saints Predictions and Prop Bets

Buccaneers vs. Saints My Pick

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers responded last week against the Panthers following a loss to the Cowboys in Week 16. Tampa Bay needed the Falcons to lose last Sunday to have sole possession of first place in the NFC South, and they got lucky. 

Baker Mayfield’s Buccaneers are playing extremely motivated football and will not waste their chance to play in the postseason. 

The Saints lack a quarterback and are not healthy. New Orleans has fired its head coach and is undergoing a significant rebuilding for the future. Tampa Bay is ready to win, so take them to cover the massive number on Sunday.

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Buccaneers vs. Saints Predictions 

This NFC South race is coming down to the season's final week. The Saints don’t have much to play for at this point in the season, with a 5-11 record. 

New Orleans quarterback Derek Carr is questionable, and even when he has played, he hasn’t been outstanding. The most significant injury to note for the Saints is Alvin Kamara, who is also questionable. 

If Kamara isn’t fully healthy, there is a good chance he won’t play. Kamara is the face of the franchise, and this game is meaningless for the team. 

The same theory applies to Carr, so we expect Spencer Rattler to be under center. Mayfield was excellent in his last start against New Orleans, throwing for 325 yards and four touchdowns. 

The quarterback has thrown for 4,279 yards, 39 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. Mayfield was snubbed from the Pro Bowl, so this is another reason to back him in his first start since the announcement. 

If Tampa Bay plays as they’re capable and runs the ball effectively, they will blow the Saints off the field. New Orleans can’t compete with Tampa Bay in any facet of the game.

Buccaneers vs. Saints Best Player Props

Baker Mayfield Over 252.5 Passing Yards (-114) at FanDuel

Mayfield was just snubbed for the Pro Bowl and should be looking to make a statement. The quarterback has an elite arm, and his receivers should run free down the field. 

Mayfield is third in passing yards this season with 4,279, exceeding this line by nearly 75 yards in his last game against the Saints. Take Mayfield to go over his passing line.

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Mike Evans Under 98.5 Receiving Yards (-114) at FanDuel

Mike Evans needs 85 yards and five catches to unlock a $3M bonus. It’s hard for a receiver to exceed 85 yards, and the Buccaneers want him to be fresh for the postseason. 

Evans should exceed 85 yards to get his bonus, but the 98.5-yard line may be out of reach. Evans would quickly be pulled if this were the case, so we don’t want to risk taking an over for 98.5 yards.

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Bucky Irving Over 86.5 Rushing Yards (-114) at FanDuel

The Buccaneers rushing attack has become legitimate with Bucky Irving. Irving took the starting job from Rachaad White and hit 1000 yards in his first NFL season. 

The former Oregon Duck has been dominant in running the ball, and we see him having a great game against the Saints. New Orleans' rushing defense has been inconsistent, and Tampa Bay’s offensive line has gelled in the past few weeks.

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Buccaneers vs. Saints How to Watch

  • When: Sunday, January 5, 2024

  • Where: Raymond James Stadium 

  • Where to Watch: CBS

Buccaneers vs. Saints Best Promos and Sportsbooks

If you’re looking for the best odds for Buccaneers vs. Saints, look at some of the best NFL sportsbooks where you can place your bets. FanDuel is a great sportsbook because new customers receive $250 in bonus bets if your first $5 wager hits.

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Buccaneers vs. Saints Injuries

Buccaneers Injuries

  • Buccaneers WR Sterlin Shepard - Questionable

  • Buccaneers TE Payne Durham - Questionable

  • Buccaneers TE Cade Otton - Questionable

  • Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving - Questionable

  • Buccaneers CB Jamel Dean - Questionable

Saints Injuries

  • Saints LB Willie Gay - Questionable

  • Saints TE Juwan Johnson - Questionable

  • Saints RB Kendre Miller - Questionable

  • Saints WR Chris Olave - IR

  • Saints QB Derek Carr - Questionable

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Tanner Kern

Tanner Kern

Sports Betting Analyst & On-Air Host

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Tanner Kern has been working in the betting industry since 2020. He currently is a social media content creator at DraftKings and contributes to multiple sites in addition to WSN, including Forbes and VSiN. He is also the cohost of the podcast Ride the Line at WSN.
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