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TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (0-1) vs. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (0-1)
When: Sunday, September 18, 1:00 PM ET
Where: The Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Broadcast: FOX
Bucs vs. Vikings Betting Lines:
Spread: Vikings -3
Moneyline: Buccaneers +145: Vikings -165
Total: 40 ½ points
Two teams looking for their first wins take the field on Sunday when the Tamp Bay Buccaneers, fresh off a 27-20 home loss to the Detroit Lions take on the Minnesota Viking who somehow hung around but eventually fell to the San Diego Chargers. Both teams looked underwhelming in Week 1 and both know that 0-2 is a death sentence in their respective competitive conferences.
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers looked out of sync last week. Josh Freeman was out of sorts and the running game only produced 56 yards. LeGarrette Blount had only five touches which he parlayed into 15 yards. Tampa will be better this week, they have to be.
The Bucs will get to right the ship against a defense that made Philip Rivers and the San Diego running game very dangerous. You have to think that Tampa Bay will try to run the ball and set Freeman up some magic. There are too many weapons on the team for them to be held down too long – this was a 10-6 team last season with largely the same group.
Minnesota – thank God for Adrian Peterson. He was the only thing that worked on offense last week. Peterson, with his 98 yards rushing more than doubled what Donovan McNabb had passing! Seriously. The team generated a total of 187 yards against San Diego last week making it a miracle that they stayed close. It doesn’t appear that Minnesota is vastly improved with McNabb at the helm – period.
Tampa Bay’s defense didn’t look as advertised on Sunday but this solid young unit will be looking for a bit of redemption in Week 2. They allowed 431 total yards, 305 through the air. It is unlikely that the Vikings offer up the same challenge as the Lions – expect a better performance from Tampa this week!
Minnesota’s defense bent last week but they didn’t break. Upon further review, it could have been a rusty Chargers rather than a solid Vikings that could have made the defense look the way they did. Tampa will bring a balanced attack – the only hope is that the Vikings defense mirrors their effort from last week.
Betting Outlook: Tampa Bay has dominated this series as of late going 4-0 SU and ATS in the last four meetings. The Bucs are an impressive 13-3 ATS as road underdogs including the last seven in a row. However, the home team is 13-3-1 in the last 17 games between the two clubs.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are faced with potentially starting the season 0-3 (they play Atlanta next week). Raheem Morris will have his team amped up and ready for this game. Failure is no option! Look for Tampa to establish an underwhelming running game and let Josh Freeman work downfield against a mismatched Minnesota secondary. The Buccaneers are a well rounded team while the Vikings are a one-trick pony. Take the road dogs!
The odds makers have the Minnesota Vikings as a -3 point favorite with an over/under of 40.5.
Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers +3
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Trends:
- Tampa Bay is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay’s last 5 games on the road
- Tampa Bay is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games on the road
- Tampa Bay is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Minnesota Vikings Betting Trends:
- Minnesota is 1-4-1 SU in its last 6 games ,
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota’s last 5 games
- Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
- Minnesota is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games
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