MATCHUP
The inform BUCs head to New Orleans to take on the Saints who dropped to 2 and 3 last week after a loss to the No 1 Ranked Chiefs. The Saints were out played and out classed in the game. For the Saints they’ll be hoping the home field and the crowd assist might help them avoid a 3 game slide. The BUCs who also had a loss, fell short in a close loss in Overtime to the Falcons in Atlanta, it was a high quality TNF game where the BUCs put on a great show. These division rival games make this division one of the more exciting divisions to watch, and this weeks matchup looks set to be another thriller.

Bucs (3-2) @ Saints (2-3)

OPENING MARKETS
Head to Head BUCs $1.56 (-233) – SAINTS $2.51 (+151)
Spread BUCs -3.5
Over / Under 41.5
Team Totals > BUCs 22.5 – Saints 19.5

BUCCANEERS
The BUCs gave up the big plays in the late stages of the game last week and we’re sure they would like their chances of closing that one out, given the chance again. Mayfield was solid and near perfect, he went 19/24 180 yards for 3TDs, he also scurried around the field with 6 carries for 42 yards. Rachaad White and Bucky Irving also posted good numbers with a combined 19 carries for 116 yards combined. White left the game late, and Bucky was just 1 yard short of his over/under rushing yards, the late fumble cost him. With White out this week Bucky will be called on to take the ball. Mayfield who likes to share the receiving yards around with Evans, Goodwin, and Otton all receiving for a combined 170 of the total 180 yards and Evans got another TD to his name. The BUCs defense unfortunately gave up some big yardage plays in the secondary, but they did bring plenty of pressure with 11 QB hits and 4 sacks, which could spell real trouble for Rattler and the Saints this week.

SAINTS
The Saints look to be in real trouble this week with Carr out, starting QB Spencer Rattler, the round 5 150th pick from South Carolina will suit up for the first time and has the opportunity to start in front of their home crowd. He’ll have the support of the home crowd which has be known to be a factor in New Orleans, he’s likely going to have to rely on Kamara to do the heavy lifting, but the BUCs limited the Falcons last week to just 73 yards. Which makes this assignment even more difficult. The Saints were outplayed by the No. 1 ranked Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead last Monday night, so its a short week for them. Kamara was only able to manage 26 yards rushing, which went along with 40 yards receiving. For the Saints to come away from this one with a win, it’s clear they’ll need to run the ball, and the markets suggest just that as Kamara’s Rush Receive has increased from last week to over 100 yards. The BUCs will well and truly know that so we’d expect the short field plays and screens to be part of the game plan, and we expect the Saints defense will look to hold Mayfield for under 200 yards and keep them under 20 points. Tough ask, but they will have the home crowd on their side.

WHAT WE EXPECT
We’d expect to see the Saints Defense go all out early in this one in attempt to keep the game close. If the Saints can establish the run, and that’s a big if, then they just might be in a position to keep the game tight which is a game they can win. For the BUCs it’s likely going to be Baker Mayfield on display again as he seems to be growing in confidence with this hyped up BUCs team. After last weeks near miss the BUCs will no doubt ask Bucky Irving to put that loss behind them and lead this team to another win.

MARKETS TO FOLLOW
OVER / UNDER FIRST HALF 20.5 POINTS UNDER $1.88 (-114)
BUCS TEAM TOTAL OVER 23.5 $1.96 (-104)
MAYFIELD TDs 2+ $2.05 (+105)
BUCKY IRVING RUSHING OVER 68.5 $1.88 (-114)
BUCKY IRVING RUSHING ATTEMPTS OVER 14.5 $1.77 (-130)
MIKE EVANS TOTAL RECEPTIONS OVER 4.5+ $2.16 (+116)
KAMARA RUSH + RECEIVE UNDER 102.5 YDS $1.88 (-114)
RASHID SHAHEED TOTAL RECEPTIONS OVER 3.5 $1.98 (-102)
SPENCER RATTLER 1ST QTR RUSHING OVER 0.5 YDS $2.10 (+110)