3* Thursday Night Football SMASH on Buccaneers +6.5

Tampa Bay vs. Minnesota, 10/25/2012 20:20 EDT, Score: 36 - 17

Point Spread: +6½/-110 Tampa Bay

Sportsbook: BookMaker

Result: Win

3* Thursday Night Football SMASH on Buccaneers +6.5
I'll gladly take the points with Tampa Bay because of how competitive it has been. The Bucs are just 2-4 but each of their losses have come by seven points or less in games they just as easily could have won.

The Vikings are 5-2 but haven't been dominant. Three of their wins have come by seven points or fewer.

In addition, Tampa Bay has had Minnesota's number. It is 5-0 SU and ATS in the last five meetings, winning these by an average of 12.5 points. It won 24-20 in Minnesota last season.

So much of Minnesota's offensive success stems from its seventh-ranked rushing attack, which averages 132.3 yards per game. The fact Minnesota likes to run the football plays right into our hands as Tampa Bay ranks third in the NFL against the run with 76.0 yards allowed per contest.

The Buccaneers are 13-6-1 ATS in their last 20 road games while the Vikings are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 home games. The Buccaneers are even 12-3 ATS in their last 15 road games versus a team with a winning home record. Take the points.