Tampa Bay Offense Will Give New England Defense Problems
The NFL regular season kicks off Week 5 with Thursday Night Football when the New England Patriots visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The current line has New England favored by 5.5 points with the over/under point total on 55.5
Entering the game, New England on the season is 2-2 straight up and 1-3 against the spread. On the road, the Patriots are 1-0 SU and ATS. Tampa Bay on the season is 2-1 SU and 1-2 ATS. At home, the Buccaneers are 2-0 SU and 1-1 ATS.
After four weeks most New England has lost two games, as last season they lost two games the entire season. Tampa Bay used a late field goal to slip by the winless New York Giants 25-23 on Sunday, while the Patriots lost at home to Carolina 33-30.
New England’s defense is its downfall after four games, allowing an average of more than 450 yards per game. The Patriots allowed 316 yards passing against Carolina on Sunday.
Against Houston, the Pats defense also allowed 33 points, but was spared complete embarrassment when veteran Tom Brady threw a late touchdown pass to pull out the win.
The defense of New England also allowed 42 points in Week 1 in a Thursday night loss to Kansas City, as the Chiefs beat the Patriots by 15 points on New England’s home field.
In last Sunday’s loss, Brady threw for 307 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Brandin Cooks caught three passes for just 38 yards well below his average of the previous three games.
Nick Folk may have kicked the winning field goal last weekend versus the Giants, but the Tampa Bay kicker missed two field goals as well as an extra point earlier in the game. The Bucs are just a half game behind the Panthers and Falcons in the NFC South.
Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston threw for 332 yards and three touchdowns against the Giants. Bucs running back Jacquizz Rodgers rushed for 83 yards. The Tampa Bay offense has 434 yards of total offense, while allowing a total of 379 yards by the Giants.
New England is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games played.
Tampa Bay is 1-3 ATS in its last 5 games played.
Prediction: The Patriots defense has been letting them down, the Pats might win this outright, but the Buccaneers will cover the number.
