Saturday, December 24, 2016

Mercedes-Benz Superdome

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the New Orleans Saints on Saturday, December 24, 2016 at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The opening line for this game has New Orleans as 3.5 point favorites and the over/under was set at 52.5. The Buccaneers are 9-5-0 against the spread and their over/under record is 6-7-1. The Saints have an over/under record of 7-7-0 and they are 8-5-1 against the spread.

Jameis Winston finished with 247 yards through the air for Tampa Bay last week. He completed 17 passes out of 35 attempts for a 49% completion percentage. The Buccaneers were led in rushing by Doug Martin, who finished with 42 yards on 16 rushes. He ended the contest with an average of 3 yards per carry. Cameron Brate was the team leader in receiving with a total of 73 yards and 5 receptions. He finished the game with an average of 15 yards per reception. As a team in that game Tampa Bay got a total of 16 first downs. Of those first downs, 3 came on the ground while 12 came through the air. They ran 59 total plays for 276 yards for the game. The Buccaneers ran for 52 yards on 20 attempts.

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Drew Brees finished with 389 yards passing for New Orleans last week. He went 37 for 48, resulting in a 77% completion percentage. The Saints were led on the ground by Mark Ingram, who finished with 78 yards on 17 carries. He ended the game with an average of 5 yards per rush. Brandin Cooks led the team in receiving with 186 yards and 7 catches. He finished the game with an average of 27 yards per reception. New Orleans had 33 first downs total. 10 came from running the ball and 20 came from a pass. They ran 83 total plays for 488 yards for the contest. The Saints ran for 130 yards on 32 carries as a team.

Tampa Bay scores 22 points per game on offense this season, which ranks 18th in the NFL. In the passing department, they average 22 passes on 36 attempts for a 61% completion percentage this season. They throw for a total of 248 yards per game through the air as well, which ranks them 15th in the league. The Buccaneers run for an average of 101 yards per game on 29 attempts for an average of 3.5 yards per carry. That ranks them 20th in the league. They also run 68 plays per contest and average 5.1 yards per play for an average of 350 yards per game, ranking their offense 16th overall this season. The Buccaneers average 21 first downs per game which ranks them 12th in the NFL. They accumulate 59.5 penalty yards per game via 6.9 penalties, which ranks 23rd in the league.

Tampa Bay allows 251 passing yards per game, ranking 20th, and they allow 23 points per contest on defense, which ranks 17th. They give up 22 completions on 34 attempts per game for a completion percentage of 65%. The Buccaneers allow 116 rushing yards per game on 26 carries for an average of 4.5 yards per carry, which ranks their rush defense 24th in the NFL. Tampa Bay allows 367 total yards per game including 5.8 yards per play, which ranks their overall defense 24th in terms of yards per game. They get flagged for 7.9 penalties for 68.4 yards per game, ranking them 27th among NFL teams.

New Orleans averages 29 points per game this season on offense, which ranks them 2nd in the league. In the passing department, they complete 30 passes per game on 42 attempts for a 71% completion percentage. They throw for 317 yards through the air per game, ranking them 1st. The Saints run for an average of 106 yards per game on 25 attempts for an average of 4.2 yards per carry this season, which ranks them 16th on the ground. They also run 69 plays per game and average 6.1 yards per play for a total of 423 yards per game, ranking them 1st in the league on offense. The Saints get an average of 25 first downs per game, which ranks 1st. They average 60 penalty yards per game via 6.7 penalties, ranking them 14th in the NFL.

New Orleans allows an average of 271 passing yards per game, which ranks 31st in the league. Their defense overall allows 28 points per contest, which has them ranked 30th. They give up 23 completions on 37 attempts for a completion percentage of 62% per game. The Saints allow 100 rushing yards per contest on 25 carries for a 4 average per rush, ranking their overall rush defense 14th in the NFL. New Orleans allows 371 total yards per game for an average of 5.8 yards per play, which ranks 27th in the league. They force 6.3 penalties for 53.9 yards in each contest, ranking 8th.

Tampa Bay Betting Trends

Tampa Bay is 6-7-1 against the over/under this season

Tampa Bay has an ATS record of 9-5-0 this season

New Orleans Betting Trends

New Orleans is 7-7-0 against the over/under this season

New Orleans has an ATS record of 8-5-1 this season

Injuries to Watch

Tampa Bay

12/18/16 T Demar Dotson Concussion "?" Saturday vs. New Orleans
12/18/16 DE William Gholston Elbow injured last game, "?" Saturday vs. New Orleans
12/06/16 WR Cecil Shorts Knee IR
11/08/16 DE Howard Jones Knee IR
11/07/16 RB Antone Smith Knee IR
11/07/16 WR Louis Murphy Knee IR
10/19/16 WR Vincent Jackson Knee IR
10/06/16 DE Noah Spence Shoulder out indefinitely
09/23/16 LB Devante Bond Hamstring IR
09/15/16 DE Jacquies Smith Knee IR
08/31/16 G J.R. Sweezy Back PUP
08/11/16 DE George Johnson Hip out for season

New Orleans

12/20/16 LB Stephone Anthony Knee out for season
12/18/16 RB Daniel Lasco Hamstring "?" Saturday vs. Tampa Bay
12/18/16 CB Delvin Breaux Shoulder "?" Saturday vs. Tampa Bay
12/15/16 T Terron Armstead Leg IR
12/10/16 S Kenny Vaccaro Suspension expected to miss next 4 games
12/05/16 TE Josh Hill Fibula out for season
11/16/16 LB Michael Mauti Illness IR
11/08/16 LB James Laurinaitis Quad IR
10/12/16 DB Erik Harris ACL IR
09/29/16 DE Obum Gwacham Undisclosed IR
09/22/16 CB P.J. Williams Concussion IR
09/04/16 TE Michael Hoomanawanui Leg IR
08/31/16 CB Damian Swann Abdominal IR
08/31/16 LB Hau'oli Kikaha Knee PUP

Josh's Pick: Take New Orleans -3.5

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