The suddenly sexy Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be on the verge of becoming a bandwagon fan favorite this year after a flashy 31-24 win and cover in Atlanta in Week 1. The Arizona Cardinals will welcome them to the desert in hopes of putting last week’s disappointing loss to the Patriots behind them. If you’re anticipating another upset you need to be aware of the fact that the Cards haven’t been outright losers in back-to-back home games in the same season since 2012.
- The total has gone UNDER in four of the Cardinals' last five games at home.
- The Cardinals are 5-0 SU in their last five games after losing as a favorite.
- The Buccaneers are 1-6 SU in their last seven games after winning as an underdog.
As good as they are at bouncing back after a loss at home, betting on Arizona at home has been bad news for Cards backers as they’re now 1-7 ATS in their last eight games at home which has earned them the nickname ‘the desert donkeys’ here in the OddsShark office. To free themselves of that moniker they’ll have to win by a touchdown or more with the spread hovering around the 6.5-7 point mark at most books. They had six wins at home in 2015 with two of the wins coming by seven points or less.
Week 1 saw Bucs’ QB Jameis Winston throw four TD passes with the team racking up 371 yards of offense. They only eclipsed the 31-point mark on the road once in 2015, so it might be a sign of a breakout year for the young team.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Arizona Cardinals were -7.5-point favorites at odds maker shops such as Sportsbook, while the NFL total was set at 50 for over under totals betting.
Odds Shark computer prediction handicapping models run on this game pick a 24-18 victory for the Cardinals. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NFL matchups here.
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Arizona battles the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, currently with a 1-0 mark (1-0 ATS). The over under records, important for totals betting, are 0-0-1 for the Cardinals and 1-0 for the Buccaneers. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Arizona vs Tampa Bay injuries news.
The Cardinals – Buccaneers odds would favor the Cardinals if the betting lines were set according to power ranks. Arizona is rated No. 5 in our latest OddsShark poll, while the Buccaneers sit at No. 19.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Arizona's No. 20-ranked offense, averaging 21 PPG, against a Buccaneers defense that ranks No. 20 this week at 24 PPG. The Cardinals aerial game is averaging 252 yards per game, less than the Buccaneers secondary allows through the air, 322 YPG per game.
In comparing defenses, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers own the league's No. 2-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 52 yards per game when on the road. Arizona, on the other hand, rates No. 8 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Last time out, Jameis Winston threw for 4 scores and 281 yards in leading his team past Atlanta at Georgia Dome.
Carson Palmer threw a pair of TD passes in Arizona's last match, but they were defeated anyway by New England 23-21 in Week 1 action on Sunday.
- Tampa Bay is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
- Tampa Bay is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games
- Tampa Bay is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games on the road
- Arizona is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
- Arizona is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Arizona's last 9 games
- Arizona is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Tampa Bay home to Los Angeles, Sunday, September 25th
Arizona at Buffalo, Sunday, September 25th