Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Denver Broncos Odds & Game Pick (2020)
The 2020 NFL season is off and running, as Week 3 is underway without any COVID complications thus far. While an outbreak-free season is still anything but a guarantee, teams and bettors are looking for every opportunity they can to rack up wins early and often.
One Sunday afternoon matchup that’s caught my eye is a cross-conference game between two teams looking for a win before a daunting October schedule comes into view.
Let’s take a closer look and see where we can spot the edge.
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
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Details
- Opening Lines: Broncos +3.5; O/U 43.5
- Current Line: Broncos +6
- O/U: 43.5
- Location: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
- Start Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Television: Fox
- Last Meeting: October 2, 2016 – Broncos 27, Buccaneers 7
View consensus picks from experts for the Buccaneers at Broncos>>
Overview
It’s been a nightmare start for the 2020 Denver Broncos, and the 0-2 record through two games might be the best part. Just weeks after losing their stud running back Phillip Lindsay and best defensive player in linebacker Von Miller, the Broncos lost starting quarterback Drew Lock and WR1 Courtland Sutton, both for an extended period of time.
While Denver rushed out and grabbed veteran quarterback (and former starter) Blake Bortles this week, they’ll have to again hand the ball to career backup Jeff Driskel in this one.
After getting a tough Week 1 draw in the form of a road game at New Orleans, the Buccaneers rebounded sharply last week with a 31-17 victory over Carolina. In the win, new Bucs quarterback Tom Brady threw for 217 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. His integration into head coach Bruce Arians’ offense took another step forward.
In this matchup, Brady will have starting wide receiver Chris Godwin back at his disposal after missing last week’s contest with a concussion.
Trends
- The Broncos are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games following a loss.
- The Broncos are 4-1 ATS in their last five as a home underdog.
- The Over is 7-1 in the Buccaneers’ last eight games against teams with a losing record
Prop Bet
Spread / Total Points Parlay 2: Broncos +6.5 & Over 35.5 Points
Available only at FanDuel, this prop not only adds points to a side in Denver that I already like, but teases down the total by nearly 10. In what I expect to be a coming-out party for Brady and his fully healthy receiving core, Driskel and Co. can add a touchdown or two to help this sail over.
Bottom Line
A closer look at last week’s game for the Buccaneers shows a box score that leads to a misleading final tally. Not only were the Buccaneers outgained by nearly 100 yards, but they were also the beneficiary of four turnovers from the Panthers, setting up scoring drives in Carolina territory on three of them.
Additionally, Driskel showed confidence and poise in coming off the bench cold and almost leading his team to a victory over a top-five defense in Pittsburgh last week.
As money continues to pour in on the perceived much better team in Tampa Bay, I’ll take the points in a spread that could end near a touchdown by kickoff.
FanDuel Sportsbook: View our review and access special sports betting offers >>
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TJ Perun is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from TJ, check out his archive and follow him @JohnnyCovers.