Buccaneers vs. Saints 2019: Prediction Against The Spread, Betting Odds For NFL Week 5

The New Orleans Saints continue to roll as they wait for Drew Brees to get healthy. The defending NFC South champs are on a two-game winning streak against quality opponents with Teddy Bridgewater as the starting quarterback. After beating the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys, the Saints will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5.

Tampa Bay is a three-point road underdog against New Orleans, according to the latest betting line at OddsShark. That point spread indicates the Buccaneers and Saints are even on a neutral field.

The Saints still have to be considered the better team, making them the right pick in Sunday’s contest.

Even without a high-powered offense, New Orleans has found ways to win. That’s the sign of a good team, one that should take care of business against a division rival at home.

The defense has stepped up in Brees’ absence. New Orleans allowed just 14 points in Seattle before Russell Wilson and the Seahawks added two touchdowns in garbage time. Dallas scored more than 30 points in each of their first three games. The Cowboys came up with just 10 points at the Superdome, Ezekiel Elliott was stifled for 35 yards on 18 carries.

Sunday’s over/under is 46.5.

The Bucs are fourth in points per game after an impressive 55-40 road win against the Los Angeles Rams. The Saints only mustered nine points in their trip to L.A. Jameis Winston threw four touchdown passes, posting his third consecutive triple-digit passer rating.

Winston has only been picked off twice since he threw three interceptions in the season opener. It’s hard to believe that the turnover-prone quarterback will continue to be this efficient for much longer.

Don’t be surprised if his impressive run comes to a halt in New Orleans. Cam Jordan leads one of the NFL’s best pass rushes. The Saints’ secondary played well against Wilson and Dak Prescott.

Winston might make more big throws than Bridgewater, but the Saints’ quarterback makes fewer mistakes. Tampa Bay turned three Jared Goff interceptions into a bunch of points in Week 4. Bridgewater won’t give the defense those same opportunities.

As improved as the Bucs’ defense might be, the team has still given up more than 30 points in three games. Daniel Jones looked like a Pro Bowler when he made his first start in Tampa Bay.

NFC Defensive Player of the Month Shaq Barrett will have trouble getting to the quarterback at the same rate against New Orleans’ offensive line

Alvin Kamara could have a big day, though that’s something you could say every week. The running back had 14 catches for 148 yards in two games against Tampa Bay last season.

The Bucs are 4-11 in their last 15 games against the Saints.

Prediction: New Orleans over Tampa Bay, 30-20