Week five of the NFL season gets underway on the Thursday Night Football with a very appealing match up as two dynamic offenses go head to head when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the New England Patriots.
The match gives both sides the chance to improve their records and put pressure on the other sides around them and certainly in the case of the New England Patriots there is the chance to silence the doubters that have appeared.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers head into the week 2-1 for the season after a solid if unspectacular win over the New York Giants last week. Aside from Case Keenum running riot on them this has been a good start to the season but the NFC South side and the good thing from their point of view is that there is still more to come as well.
DeSean Jackson was highlighted as a big signing for them before the season began but he hasn’t got going yet while the Bucs have Doug Martin available for the first time in this campaign here after he missed the start of it due to suspension. If he has his pre-season form with him then the Bucs look very strong offensively.
New England Patriots
There is a lot of doom and gloom being spoken about the New England Patriots at the minute. Some of it is justified especially where their defence is concerned. They have shipped 128pts in their opening four matches including 33 to Houston and to Carolina in the last two weeks. That is a record which does not bode well for them.
We saw right at the start of the season that the Patriots are having issues defensively. Their secondary keeps on getting torched and that is putting pressure on Tom Brady. Unfortunately for him his offensive line is failing to stand up to the scrutiny of the pass rush and all these are things that are all having a negative effect on their form.
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Betting
I’m hoping that we get a really good game here and in many ways we will see what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are all about. If they can defeat the Patriots, even on a short week, then they become very much the live dangers that I suggested they were during pre-season.
I like two bets in this match. I think a 5.5pt handicap is too much on the Buccaneers. I wouldn’t put anyone off backing the Bucs on the nose but I respect Brady’s record in getting it done in close matches so I think the handicap is the better way to go. New England’s defence looks there to be feasted on and Tampa have the artillery to do it with. Whether they get over the line or not that offense can keep them within 5.5pts.
There is a player line that I think is too low and it comes in the receiving yards of Jameis Winston. The lowest line there is for him is 272.5 which is crazy low when you consider how this Patriots’ secondary keeps getting torched. Opposing quarterbacks have all thrown for more than 300 yards on this New England defence this season and with the weapons Winston has through the air I fully expect him to keep that trend going.
Tips
WON – Back Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+5.5) to beat New England Patriots for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Betfred
Back them here:
WON – Back J.Winston – Over 272.5 passing yards for a 4/10 stake at 1.87 with BetVictor
Back him here:
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