3* NFC South SMASH on Buccaneers +3.5

Tampa Bay vs. New Orleans, 12/16/2012 13:00 EDT, Score: 0 - 41

Point Spread: +3½/-110 Tampa Bay

Sportsbook: TopBet

Result: Loss

3* NFC South SMASH on Buccaneers +3.5

Two teams that have lost three straight games and it's tough not to take the points in this one. The difference in these teams recent runs is that the Saints lost all three by double digits while the Bucs lost two games by a total of three points. On the year Tampa Bay is outscoring their opponents 27.2-23.7 yet is 6-7. New Orleans is 5-8 and getting beat by a score of 29.2-26.8 each game. That is quite a point different for a team that is favored by more than the home field advantage. Another thing I like in this one is the revenge factor. Don't think Tampa Bay has forgotten about the loss to the Saints earlier this year and they will look to return the favor here in New Orleans on Sunday. A couple of solid trends back our play here as the Bucs are 7-0 ATS on the road after giving up 30 or less rushing yards in their previous game and are 5-0 ATS their last five after allowing more than 250 yards through the air. Tampa has been a covering machine lately going 5-1-1 ATS at the pay window the last 7 games. Don't be afraid to back the Bucs on the road either as they are 19-7-1 in their last 27 road games which includes a 5-1 ATS road record this season. While the Saints seem to have dominated this division in recent memory it's hard to ignore Tampa 7-2 ATS mark their last 9 trips to New Orleans.