NFL Odds Week 17: Saints vs Buccaneers Lines, Spreads, Betting Trends

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

Week 17 of the NFL season continues with an NFC South clash bearing heavy playoff implications between the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The betting odds see New Orleans as a three-point underdog following losses in four of its last six games. Coverage begins from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Sunday, December 31 at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX.

Here's everything you need to know about the NFL odds for Week 17: Saints vs Buccaneers lines, spreads, betting trends and more.

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New Orleans Saints vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Odds

• Opening point spread: Buccaneers -3
• Opening moneyline: Buccaneers TBA/Saints TBA
• Opening total: Over/Under 40.5 points scored
• Time: 1 p.m. ET Sunday (FOX)

UPDATE 10:30 A.M. ET SUNDAY: Tampa Bay dipped from -3 to -2.5 Wednesday at BetMGM, and there's been no movement since. Ticket count is 2.5/1 and money almost 2/1 on the Bucs.

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It's two-way moneyline play, with 56% of tickets on Tampa/56% of money on New Orleans.

The total opened at 41, stretched to 42.5 Monday and receded to 42 (Over -120) Wednesday. This morning, it's up to 42.5 again, with ticket count dead even but a hefty 90% of cash on the Over.

UPDATE 11:30 A.M. ET THURSDAY: The Bucs are a down tick on TwinSpires' NFL Week 17 odds board, moving from -3 to -2.5. Tampa Bay is netting 74% of early spread bets, but just 53% of early spread money.

"Sharp play on Saints +3," Lucas said.

The total climbed from 41 to 42 to 42.5, with 52% of tickets/64% of money on the Over.

UPDATE 11 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Tampa Bay (8-7 SU/9-6 ATS) picked a good time to start winning games, going 4-0 SU/3-1 ATS in its last four. The Bucs dismantled Jacksonville 30-12 in Week 16, cashing as 2.5-point home underdogs.

New Orleans (7-8 SU/4-10-1 ATS) has a little more rest for Week 17, having played in the Week 16 Thursday nighter. The Saints lost to the L.A. Rams 30-22 as 4-point road underdogs.

"Tampa has exceeded everybody's expectations this season," Michaelson said of the NFC South leader. "Before the season started, we had this game lined New Orleans -2.5. Now, Tampa feels like the only competent team in the division.

"New Orleans is banged up. I don't expect a ton of public handle on this game."

Tampa is stable at -3 tonight in The SuperBook's NFL Week 17 odds market. But the total nudged from 40.5 to 41 shortly after opening.

Click here for Vegas Insider senior reporter Patrick Everson's full NFL Odds Week 17 Report containing spreads, lines, and trends for every NFL matchup.

Saints vs Buccaneers Pick, Prediction

Action Network NFL betting expert Brandon Anderson offers this prediction:

Neither offense is great, and both defenses should have the advantage. The Bucs' defense has been stout and leads the league on third downs, where the Saints struggle. New Orleans has slipped on defense, but mostly against the run, and Tampa can't run anyway, but the Saints still rank top 10 against the pass. This total is rising with some defensive injuries, but that means it crossed 40 and 41 and hit 43, all key numbers.

NFC South divisional games have been incredibly low scoring this season. Eight of the nine previous division games topped out at 39 points, well under this total. Also, Todd Bowles has had Pete Carmichael's number, with the Saints averaging just 16.7 PPG in the past six meetings between these rival. Additionally, these teams are a combined 19-11 to the under.

I like that the game is in Tampa. The Bucs' defense has been better at home (7th versus 16th on the road), while the offense has been much worse (24th versus 10th). That's led to a huge discrepancy in scoring with Tampa Bay's home games at 34.6 PPG and under this line in six of seven, compared to 48.5 PPG away from home.

Pick: Under 43

For more NFL picks, check out Action Network's NFL Week 17: How to Bet Every Game & Every Team.

The One Stat to Know About Saints vs Buccaneers

Action Network NFL researcher Evan Abrams offers his top betting stat:

Bills: Josh Allen is 6-14-2 ATS vs. divisional opponents in his career.

For more NFL betting stats, check out Action Network's NFL Week 17 Betting Trends, Stats, Notes.

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Patrick Everson

Patrick Everson is a senior reporter for VegasInsider. Based in Las Vegas since 1994, he's worked in the sports betting journalism/content space for more than a decade. He's most known for his deep roster of contacts behind sportsbook counters, providing readers and viewers with the ins-and-outs of how events are being bet. He's also a thought leader in the sports betting space, often appearing on or moderating panels at national conferences. More from Patrick Everson