There may be better NFL matchups on the Week 16 schedule than this one between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals. But this game is one of the most important of the week, as the Buccaneers aim to maintain their hold on the top spot in the NFC South going into the season’s final two weeks. Here, we break down the game and give bettors our top Buccaneers vs. Cardinals betting picks for this Christmas night contest.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Arizona Cardinals Game Info and Analysis
Matchup Info
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Performance Recap and Analysis
Coming into Week 16 of the NFL schedule, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers control their destiny in the NFC South. Despite losing last week to the Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay still sits at the top of the NFL standings in the NFC South, leading the Panthers, Saints, and Falcons by a game. With all four teams in that division below the .500 mark, winning the division could be their only path to the playoffs.
For the Bucs to win this game and remain in first place in the NFC South, they need their offense to perform at a respectable level. Tampa Bay ranks 28th in the NFL in scoring offense, squandering a season where their defense has ranked just outside of the top 10 in scoring defense. With the Cardinal’s quarterback situation in disarray, even a decent scoring game could be enough to help the Bucs collect a win.
Key Injuries
Looking at the NFL injury report on the Buccaneer’s side, the secondary could have trouble overcoming their ailments. Jamel Dean is out with a toe injury here, while Antoine Winfield Jr. is questionable with an ankle injury.
Betting Trends to Know
The Buccaneers have the worst record in the NFL against the spread. They are 3-10-1 against the number of the year.
Arizona Cardinals Performance Recap and Analysis
This year has been a massive disappointment for the Arizona Cardinals, as they are out of playoff contention with a 4-10 record. While Kyler Murray’s season-ending knee injury hurt them late in the year, this team has had more flaws than that. Specifically, the Cardinal’s defense has been the problem this year, as this year’s NFL team stats show that they are the worst-scoring defense in the league in 2022.
The Cardinals have allowed an average of 26.6 points per game on the year. Against the Buccaneers, they should be able to dig in and get some stops, given how much the Bucs have struggled on offense. But if they cannot, the misery that has been the Cardinal’s season could continue.
Key Injuries
The critical injury for the Cardinals is at the quarterback position, but it is not Kyler Murray. Colt McCoy is set to miss this game due to a concussion by the Cardinals, leaving them to use third-string signal caller Trace McSorley. Looking at his NFL player stats, McSorley has one touchdown and three interceptions in his time in the league, and his relative inexperience could be an issue.
Betting Trends to Know
Arizona could have been better against the spread this year, but they have been better than Tampa Bay at 6-8 ATS.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Arizona Cardinals Odds
This week’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Arizona Cardinals betting odds have the Buccaneers as 7.5-point favorites. The total for the game is set at 40.5 points. The Bucs are -365 favorites on the money line, while the Cardinals are +300 underdogs at home.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Arizona Cardinals Betting Picks
Moneyline
There is no real value on the money line for those making Buccaneers vs. Cardinals betting picks. Tampa Bay is the obvious choice to win this game outright, but laying $365 to win $100 with one of the worst offenses in the NFL is a choice that no bettor should realistically make.
Over/Under
Regarding the total, taking the under has been a very profitable way to make a Tampa Bay Buccaneers prediction all season long. The Bucs have seen 10 of their 14 games this season under their respective totals. We should see another of their games go under here against a bumbling Cardinals offense.
Spread
The last of our Buccaneers vs. Cardinals betting picks concerns the point spread. While the Bucs have done a dismal job of performing relative to NFL odds this year, they should be able to cover the number against a Cardinals team with a quarterback that is not of professional quality at this point in his career.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Arizona Cardinals Score Prediction
Those making NFL picks today should back the Buccaneers and the under, as the Bucs should clamp down on McSorley and the Cardinals in Glendale.
NFL Pick: Buccaneers 27, Cardinals 10
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