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Week 8 of the NFL season begins with an interesting affair Thursday evening, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3) of the NFC South visiting the AFC East’s 4-3 Buffalo Bills. Both lost in their last games, and both have had seasons of fits and starts.
Tampa lost consecutive games, both at home (Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons), 1-3 in its last four and a half-game behind the Falcons in a moribund division.
Buffalo lost two of last three, the latest a 29-25 defeat at New England (game-winning touchdown with 12 seconds left) this past Sunday. An ugly win over the New York Giants is the only thing preventing a complete tailspin by the Bills.
These teams are fifth (Bills 16.9 points per game) and sixth (Buccaneers 17.3 points/game), respectively, in fewest points allowed this season.
Buffalo is a solid, nine-point favorite (total at 42½), according to NFL odds.
Moneyline is Bills -425, Bucs at +335.
The 13th meeting in the series, with the Bucs winning eight of the previous dozen.
Bucs Not Offensive
Buccaneers vs Bills Predictions | NFL Week 8 Thursday Night Football Gam... @BetUS_Official https://t.co/1WM1fMjPdO via @YouTube
— gambling911 (@gambling911) October 25, 2023
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are scoring just 17.2 points per game this season (T-26th in league), with only 28 in their last two (losing) games. Averaging less than 300 yards per game with way too many three-and-outs, the lack of offense is dooming them.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (1,363 passing yards, eight touchdowns, four interceptions) has thrown a pick in each of the last four games, with just one 300-yard game this season.
Wideout Mike Evans (30 receptions, 468 yards, four touchdowns) remains the target of choice, teaming with Chris Godwin (33 receptions, 398 yards) this season.
Rachaad White (83 carries, 266 yards) leads a run game ranked 29th (77.8 yards/game).
As was mentioned, the Tampa defense has kept it in games this season, and needs to do the same here.
Sometime Counterfeit Bills
Try to figure out the Buffalo BIlls.
Buffalo’s stumbles have cost it some friends. Once among the choices to win the title, it’s the Bills now priced at 12-1 (+1200), as per Super Bowl LVIII odds.
After losing in overtime to the New York Jets in a self-inflicted opener, Buffalo then won three games in a row (scoring 123 points). It’s just 59 points in the last three, beginning with a London loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Quarterback Josh Allen (1,841 yards, 15 touchdowns, seven interceptions) has been fast and loose this season, though at times out of necessity.
Stefon Diggs (55 receptions, 678 yards, six touchdowns) is complemented by Dalton Kincaid and Gabriel Davis (47 combined catches), while James Cook (419 rushing yards) is averaging nearly five yards per carry.
Grab the ‘Dog
The Buffalo Bills should be better than they are, while Tampa Bay is about where it figured to be. Buffalo is going to have success on offense, but perhaps with the ill-advised turnover.
Expect the Buccaneers to score the requisite amount of points, at least keep this interesting.
Take the Tampa Bay Buccaneers +9 Thursday evening. Go over, too.
Prop Bets for the Bucs vs. Bills Game
TB Total Touchdowns O/U 1.5
BUF Total Touchdowns O/U 2.5
BUF Total Field Goals O/U 1.5
Time of First Score O/U 7 (mins elapsed)
3 Straight Scores by Either Team
Both Teams to Score 19.5
First score of Game is Touchdown
Will there be Overtime
TB Total Field Goals O/U 1.5
Most First Downs
Any Team to Score 40+ Points
Both Teams to Score 24.5
Will there be a Scoreless Quarter
Team to Score Last
Will there be a safety
First Drive Result
Largest Lead (either team) O/U 14.5
Longest Touchdown O/U 34.5 Yards
Total First Downs O/U 39.5
Team to Score First Wins
Race to 15 Points
Highest Scoring Half
Will TB Score on their First Drive
Race to 10 Points
Defensive or special teams TD scored
Will BUF Score on their First Drive
Team to Score Last Wins
Team to Score First
Total Points Odd
Race to 20 Points
- Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com
