NFL Week 1 Picks: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints Predictions

Tom Brady against Drew Brees sees two legends of the game go toe-to-toe. Can the Tampa Bay Buccaneers spring another Week 1 surprise on the New Orleans Saints, or are the Saints going to kick their season off strongly?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints

1u – Over 49 Total Points @ -109

• The last two season openers in New Orleans have seen in excess of 50 points scored
• The Saints defense has a tendency to start off slowly, allowing 28 or more points in their last six Week 1 games

It is hard not be excited about this game. Two of the best at the position ever going head-to-head as both try to propel their teams on the path to a Super Bowl. The result is impossible to call, with both sides loaded in talent and plenty of fascinating matchups. However, one thing I feel is guaranteed is points.

When you look at how these team’s matchup, the strengths and weaknesses lineup in such a way it makes it conducive to high scoring football. The Saints have a great offensive line and short passing game, which should counteract the Buccaneers pass rush and allow the Saints to victimize a weak secondary for Tampa Bay.

Equally, while the Buccaneers offensive line is not great, neither is the Saints defensive line, outside of Cameron Jordan. That should allow Brady time to deliver his quick strikes to Chris Godwin and an array of talented short yardage options. The Buccaneers offensive line should also be able to hold up enough for Brady to take some deep shots to Mike Evans (assuming he is on the field). In the run game, neither team is dominant enough to control the football for long periods and we should see both QBs throw around 40 times, if not more.

This game should be a back-and-forth affair that I see having a similar 30-28 score line to the one we saw between the Saints and Texans in Week 1 last year. That game also saw similar matchups in terms of teams’ strengths and weaknesses and those offense had a lot of fun exploiting those matchups.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints Latest Odds

Buccaneers vs. Saints Spread: Saints -3.5

Buccaneers vs. Saints Money Line: Tampa Bay +165, New Orleans -182 (Best odds)

Buccaneers vs. Saints Total Points Line: 49 points

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints Key Stats (Powered by StatsChecker)

 - The underdog has won each of the Buc's last 8 Week 1 games

- Each of the last 10 Bucs games against NFC opponents have one over the total points line

- The Bucs have won the first half in each of their last 4 road games as underdogs

- The Saints have failed to cover the spread in each of the past 6 season openers

For in-depth stats to aid your betting throughout the NFL season, StatsChecker has you covered.