The oddsmakers at BetMGM have opened up their Divisional Round lines with the New Orleans Saints favored to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the third time this season, but barely; New Orleans is a 3-point favorite, with the 51.5 over/under suggesting a final tally near Saints 27, Buccaneers 24.
How does that compare to their two previous meetings — which, again, the Saints swept? In Week 1, the Saints were 3.5-point favorites, snapping Tom Brady’s 74-game streak of being favored to win. That initial over/under was set at 49.5, implying a final score of Saints 27, Buccaneers 23. Instead, New Orleans won 34-23 against Tampa Bay.
However, Brady’s squad was favored in the much-anticipated rematch by 4.5 points. That was the first game of the year in which New Orleans entered as underdogs, projected to lose 28-23. The Saints responded with their best game of the year, leaving Raymond James Stadium on the heels of a dominant 38-3 blowout.
So use that information how you will. These aren’t the same teams as played each other before, but it’s understandable to feel some confidence in the matchup considering the Buccaneers lose both previous games by significant margins.
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