New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 17 NFL Picks & Predictions 12/31/2017

Sunday, December 31, 2017

Raymond James Stadium

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

Raymond James Stadium is the venue for the game between the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, December 31, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has New Orleans as 7.5 point favorites. The total has been set at 50. The Buccaneers are 5-9-1 against the spread and their over/under mark is 7-8-0. The Saints are 9-6-0 ATS and their over/under record is 8-7-0.

Valuable New Orleans Saints Betting Trends

The New Orleans Saints are 8-7-0 against the over/under

The New Orleans Saints are 9-6-0 against the spread

Important Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Trends

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 7-8-0 against the over/under

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 5-9-1 against the spread

Key New Orleans Saints Injuries

12/24/17 DE John Hughes Elbow left last game, is "?" Sunday vs Tampa Bay
12/24/17 T Terron Armstead Thigh left last game, is "?" Sunday vs Tampa Bay
12/24/17 DE Trey Hendrickson Ankle is "?" Sunday vs Tampa Bay
12/24/17 TE Michael Hoomanawanui Concussion is "?" Sunday vs Tampa Bay
12/21/17 S Kenny Vaccaro Wrist IR
12/19/17 LB A.J. Klein Groin IR
12/08/17 DT David Parry Suspension 4-game suspension (eligible to return for 2018 season)
12/02/17 TE Coby Fleener Concussion IR
11/20/17 DE Alex Okafor Achilles is out for season
11/13/17 RB Daniel Lasco Back IR
10/04/17 LB Alex Anzalone Arm IR
10/03/17 T Zach Strief Knee IR
09/24/17 DE Mitchell Loewen Ankle IR
09/08/17 LS Jon Dorenbos Illness out indefinitely
09/05/17 CB Delvin Breaux Fibula IR

Key Tampa Bay Buccaneers Injuries

12/24/17 WR DeSean Jackson Ankle is "?" Sunday vs New Orleans
12/24/17 DB Ryan Smith Ankle is "?" Sunday vs New Orleans
12/24/17 DE Robert Ayers Neck is "?" Sunday vs New Orleans
12/21/17 S Justin Evans Ankle IR
12/20/17 CB Vernon Hargreaves Hamstring IR
12/19/17 LB Adarius Glanton Leg IR
12/19/17 G J.R. Sweezy Leg IR
12/19/17 TE O.J. Howard Ankle IR
11/29/17 C Ali Marpet Undisclosed IR
11/29/17 T Demar Dotson Undisclosed IR
10/25/17 DE Noah Spence Shoulder IR
10/09/17 K Nick Folk Knee IR
09/05/17 DT Stevie Tu'ikolovatu Knee IR
09/01/17 DT DaVonte Lambert Wrist IR

Useful Offensive Statistics

The New Orleans Saints have run for 1,978 yards as a unit, which ranks 4th in the league. They've run 418 times, averaging 4.7 yards per rush as a unit. The Saints have been penalized on offense 98 times for 929 yards so far this year, which has them 19th in the NFL in penalties. They are 4th in the National Football League in points scored with 424. They have run 942 plays this year for 5,936 yards, which ranks them 2nd in the NFL in total offense. The Saints average 6.3 yards per play, which is 1st in the league. As a team they have accumulated a total of 314 1st downs this season, ranking them 5th overall as an offensive unit. Drew Brees has completed 364 throws while attempting 506 passes for a completion percentage of 71.9%. He has passed for 4,089 yards this year. He averages 11.2 yards per completion and 8.1 yards per pass attempt. His quarterback rating this season is 103.6.

Defensive Statistics

The Saints rush defense has given up 378 attempts for 1,677 yards this season, putting them in 16th place in the NFL against the run. They have had 106 penalties for 835 yards on defense this year. That places them 15th in the league. They've allowed a score on 32.9% of possessions on defense, which is 12th in the NFL. New Orleans is 8th in the NFL in points surrendered on defense with 295. They have given up a total of 4,929 yards on D, which is 16th in the league. The Saints are 21st in yards per play allowed with 5.4. Their pass defense has allowed 6 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 15th in the National Football League. Opponent offenses have completed 301 throws on 503 attempts against the New Orleans Saints defense this season, ranking them 6th and 13th in the league. The New Orleans pass defense has also surrendered a total of 3,252 yards in the air, which is 11th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The New Orleans Saints have tried 35 field goals this season and made 30, which is 9th in the league. Their kickers have a FG percentage of 85.7%. New Orleans Saints kickers have made 94% of their extra points, going 44 for 47 this season. Their punters have accumulated 2,637 yards on 56 punts, averaging 47.1 yards per punt. That ranks them 6th in the NFL in punting average. New Orleans is 12th in the NFL in punt returns with 33. They've totaled 225 punt return yards and are averaging 6.8 yards per return, which is 23rd in the league. Their longest punt return this season is 24 yards. They have returned 31 kicks for 658 yards on special teams, placing them 12th in kick return yardage. The Saints average 21.2 yards per kick return and have a long of 49 yards this season. They are 4th in the National Football League in all-purpose yards with 6,950.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 20th in the NFL in points scored with 304. They have run 953 plays this season for 5,361 yards, which ranks them 11th in the league in total offense. The Buccaneers average 5.6 yards per play, which is 9th in the National Football League. As a team they have accumulated a total of 324 1st downs this year, placing them 2nd overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Tampa Bay has run for 1,340 yards as a team, which ranks 26th in the NFL. They've run 361 times, averaging 3.7 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Buccaneers have been penalized on offense 102 times for 780 yards so far this season, which has them 12th in the league in penalties. Jameis Winston has thrown for 3,141 yards this season. He has completed 254 passes on 391 attempts for a completion percentage of 65%. His quarterback rating this season is 96.5. He averages 8 yards per pass attempt and 12.4 yards per completion.

Defensive Statistics

Tampa Bay is 24th in the league in points allowed on defense with 358. They have surrendered a total of 5,726 yards on D, which is 31st in the NFL. The Buccaneers are ranked 32nd in yards per play allowed with 6. Their pass defense has given up 7.3 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 31st in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses have completed 349 passes on 519 attempts against the Tampa Bay defense this season, placing them 31st and 20th in the National Football League. The Buccaneers pass defense has also given up a total of 3,938 yards through the air, which is 32nd overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has allowed 414 attempts for 1,788 yards this year, putting them in 24th place in the league against the run. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have committed 102 penalties for 899 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 23rd in the NFL. They've given up a score on 38.8% of possessions on defense, which is 28th in the league.

Special Teams Stats

Tampa Bay is ranked 32nd in the league in punt returns with 20. They've accumulated 192 punt return yards and average 9.6 yards per return, which is 8th in the NFL. Their longest punt return so far this year is 44 yards. They have returned 18 kicks for 396 yards on special teams, ranking 31st in kick return yardage. The Buccaneers average 22 yards per kick return and have a long of 50 yards this year. They are 14th in the league in all-purpose yards with 6,172. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have attempted 33 field goals this season and made 24, which is 18th in the National Football League. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 72.7%. Tampa Bay kickers have made 93% of their extra points, going 26 for 28 this year. Their punters have totaled 2,757 yards on 64 punts, averaging 43.1 yards per punt. That places them 31st in the NFL in punting average.

Who will win tonight's Saints/Buccaneers NFL game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Buccaneers +7.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald