Tampa Bay at New Orleans 2018 NFL Week 1 Lines & Preview

The opening week of the 2018 regular season in the NFL gives us a terrific NFC South matchup as Tampa Bay visits New Orleans to start the season. The Saints are looking to expand on last season, when they made it to the divisional round of the playoffs and looked like they had Minnesota on the ropes, until a last-gasp heave from Case Keenum somehow made it to Stefon Diggs, and Diggs was able to rumble untouched into the end zone. The Buccaneers are looking to contend in the division and move toward the postseason — although Jameis Winston’s suspension to start the season puts that in some serious doubt. Let’s look at your NFL betting preview for this opening-week tilt from the Big Easy for Tampa at New Orleans.

Tampa Bay at New Orleans 2018 NFL Week 1 Lines & Preview

Today’s practice was the last open session to the public, but it’s ok, you can live vicariously through these photo galleries all season long. 👌 📷 » https://t.co/EJgFLOQzc4#GoBucs pic.twitter.com/3mEQSj8b6V

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) August 22, 2018

When: Sunday, September 9, 2018, 1:00pm ET Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans TV: FOX Radio: WDAE 620 AM Tampa-St. Petersburg / WWL 870 AM New Orleans Live Stream: NFL Live NFL Odds: New Orleans -7.5, O/U 52.5

Why should you bet on the Buccaneers?

Tampa Bay had the worst defense in the NFL in 2017 — but they have looked solid so far in the preseason, going 2-0. Of course, Cleveland went 4-0 in the preseason a year ago, but then they ended up going 0-16 in the games that counted. The biggest problem is that their starting quarterback will be Ryan Fitzpatrick, with Winston in the NFL’s doghouse for three games. Tailback Ronald Jones hasn’t shown much sign of promise that he can carry the offense in the preseason, as he is averaging less than a yard per rushing attempt. Then there are the injuries to consider. The Buccaneers already had a Swiss-cheese secondary, but they have several injuries to their starters, which means that they’re going down a depth chart that didn’t have much talent at the very top. The Saints love to throw the ball, and Drew Brees should have plenty of options open down the field, which could make for a long day for the Tampa Bay defense. If you like Tampa Bay here, then you think that the rivalry of NFC South football will make this game tight, and the Buccaneers will play with some physicality and hustle that they didn’t show on defense a year ago.

Why should you put your money on New Orleans?

Drew Brees has led a solid offense for each of the 13 years that he has quarterbacked the Saints. The problems for New Orleans over the past few years have come on defense, as they have lacked the defensive line and the secondary to slow down opposing offenses, and Brees hasn’t been able to outscore the opposition enough for the Saints to contend. That changed last year, as a young, physical group of defenders has figured out how to shut down opposing attacks. Defensive end Cameron Jordan could easily be a candidate for Defensive Player of the year this season, and the Saints have both Rookie of the Year winners from last season in Alvin Kamara and Marshon Lattimore. The youth and speed on the defense make the Saints a real contender in the conference. If you like the Saints, you think that the raucous Superdome will play a role in intimidating the banged-up Buccaneers, and the momentum that pushed New Orleans deep into the postseason a year ago will keep on rolling. The young, aggressive Saints defense will overwhelm Fitzpatrick, and Tampa Bay will have way too many three-and-outs to have a chance down the stretch.

NFL Betting Pick and Final Score Prediction for Tampa Bay at New Orleans

With a stout defense, New Orleans becomes one of the toughest teams in the NFC. They have an elite quarterback in Brees, but having Kamara to carry the ball, a receiving corps led by Michael Thomas, and that aggressive defense makes the Saints a real threat. They face Tampa Bay at a vulnerable time for the Buccaneers because of Winston’s suspension. I predict a final score of New Orleans 34, Tampa Bay 10.