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The NFL released the 2020 schedule and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers open the Tom Brady eras with a monster divisional matchup at the New Orleans Saints. The Bucs have shot to the top of the NFC South odds, slight favorites over the Saints at +105 to New Orleans’ +110. Tampa’s preseason win total is installed at 10 with -110 odds on both the over and under.
DraftKings Sportsbook posted all the Week 1 point spreads the evening of the schedule release, and they have since added nearly 100 additional games throughout the season. DK does big business in New Jersey and Colorado, so it is no surprise they have all 16 lines for the Giants, Jets, Eagles, and Broncos. However, they have multiple lines for other teams as well. For the Bucs, we get six additional lines, including three prime time games against the Bears, Giants, and Saints.
Point spreads
Week 1: @ Saints (-4)
Week 2: vs. Panthers (-8.5)
Week 3: @ Broncos (-1.5)
Week 4: vs. Chargers (-6)
Week 5: TNF @ Bears (-2.5)
Week 8: MNF @ Giants (-3.5)
Week 9: SNF vs. Saints (-2.5)
Most likely cover
It is difficult to feel confident that Tom Brady will turn the Buccaneers into a winning team, but the pieces are all there for that exact change to come about, and quickly. Of course, Brady will be in a new offense and won’t have a lot of practice days to get timing right with his offense, but he sure will have a great group of receivers to throw to. By the time the Bucs take the Giants on in Week 8, I expect they’ll have many of the kinks worked out in a matchup they should have a strong advantage.
Most likely fail to cover
The Saints are the only team that suspended all offseason workouts and practices, as they know they have a veteran team that will be ready to go when called upon. Tom Brady and the Bucs will likely be behind the learning curve with limited offseason work, which does not bode well for a Week 1 matchup in New Orleans. The Bucs are better than last season, but their pass defense is still suspect and Drew Brees and company put up 31 and 34 points against them last season, winning by seven and 17 points.
Line most likely to change
The second time the Buccaneers meet the Saints will be in Week 9 in Tampa Bay and we could have a much different perspective on the two teams, good or bad. Right now the Buccaneers are favorites, but if the Saints win decisively in Week 1 and the Bucs struggle to get their offense on track early, the Saints could come into this game as favorites and possible be set for an upset if the Bucs are getting things together by then.
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