SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

BY ADAM GREENE

While the luster is off this one, the Sunday Night Football match up between the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium remains loaded with playoff implications.

The Saints are currently right outside the NFC bracket, but a loss would probably realistically knock them out of contention. Tampa Bay is currently the No. 2 seed, but any stumble by the Green Bay Packers earlier in the day at the Baltimore Ravens would land them the No. 1 seed (for the time being) with a win. The Buccaneers will also officially punch their ticket to the postseason with a victory.

This is the 61^st meeting between the two teams with the Saints leading the all time series 38-22. New Orleans has won six out of the last seven match ups, including both regular season contests last season and their game this season on Oct. 31. Tampa won when it counted most last year, knocking New Orleans out of the playoffs on the way to a Super Bowl LV championship.

The Saints won that Halloween game 36-37. Jameis Winston and Trevor Siemian teamed up for 215 yards and two touchdowns in the win that cost Winston the rest of his season. Alvin Kamara rushed for 61 yards and a touchdown. Tom Brady threw for 375 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. Chris Godwin caught eight passes for 140 yards and a score.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (-10.5, O/U: 46.5)

Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.

Broadcast: NBC

Kickoff: Dec. 19, 8:20 p.m.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (6-7)

The Saints ended a five game losing streak the way most teams do — by playing the New York Jets last week. Taysom Hill got the start again for New Orleans and instead of tossing the ball to the other team, finished 15 of 21 passing for 175 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. He added 73 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Alvin Kamara rushed 27 times for 120 yards and a TD. The Saints defense sacked Zach Wilson three times and held New York to 78 total yards rushing.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (10-3)

Tampa reeled off its fourth win in a row, beating the Buffalo Bills 33-27 in overtime in what looked like it could be a Super Bowl preview when the schedule was released, but now looks pretty much like any Bucs game at home, especially in the NFC South. Brady ended his day with 363 yards and two touchdowns. Leonard Fournette rushed 19 times for 113 yards and a TD. Chris Godwin caught 10 passes for 105 yards. The Buccaneers defense sacked Josh Allen three times and picked him off once.

THE PICK

While this game was obviously competitive a couple of months ago, a lot’s changed since then. The Bucs are undefeated at home and have scored 30 or more points in every game inside Raymond James Stadium. Call me crazy, but I don’t feel Taysom Hill can match Tom Brady throw for throw. I know that might be controversial, but I’m not afraid of the hot take. Buccaneers 34, Saints 17

Last week

Straight up: 8-6

Against the spread: 7-7

Season

Straight up: 124-83-1

Against the spread: 106-102

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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