Ink on the box scores from Week 1 is barely dry but we’re already on to Week 2 of the NFL regular season, and the New Orleans Saints are playing the part of underdogs at home after opening as road favorites to open the new league year. That makes sense considering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are visiting them for a game at the Caesars Superdome this Sunday.
Tampa Bay is favored to defeat the Saints in New Orleans by 3.5 points; taken with the over/under of 44.5, and that suggests a final score in the neighborhood of Buccaneers 24, Saints 21. If Tom Brady’s offense does score 24 points it would be their third-highest scoring total against New Orleans since he arrived in the NFC South, and the second-best total in a win.
The Saints defense has limited Brady and his supporting cast to totals of 27, 30, 3, and 23 points in previous games, most recently shutting the Bucs offense out altogether in their last meeting.
As observed over at Sportsbook Wire, bettors would have to place $140 on Tampa Bay to win $100, while a $100 bet on New Orleans would bring in $120 should they win. The over/under has fallen by one point since news arrived of injuries for Buccaneers left tackle Donovan Smith (elbow) and wide receiver Chris Godwin (hamstring). It remains to be seen whether they’ll play on Sunday, but those are two big contributors who could make a difference in this game. It’s something to watch on the injury report in the days ahead.
All odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Lines last updated Monday at 10:30 a.m. ET.
