In a weekend NFL matchup, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will take on the Washington Commanders. We offer you our predictions and odds for the matchup between the Commodores and Buccaneers.
These two teams met in Week 1 of the NFL season, and the Buccaneers came away with a solid victory. However, our top NFL betting sites have them favored by just three points. Commanders rookie quarterback Jaden Daniels has made incredible strides since he first took the field, while Tampa Bay has struggled in recent weeks.
Can Daniels lead his team to victory when these teams collide Sunday night at 8:15 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock) at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida?
My early prediction for the Commanders vs. Buccaneers game: Buccaneers -3
NFL predictions are made on Monday; odds are subject to change. Our new NFL player odds tool will help you find the best odds for any market among legal sportsbooks in your area!
Prediction: Buccaneers -3
Best Odds: -110 on FanDuel | Estimated Probability: 52.38%
The Chiefs are likely to be the most popular contender to win the Wild Card weekend. They have a rookie quarterback who has excelled this season; they enter the postseason having won five straight games; and they play a team with two fewer wins.
Despite all of that, the Buccaneers are the right game, and the main reason for that is their offense.
Bucky Irving has gained over 80 yards in three of the last four games, and he is the unquestioned No. 1 runner on the team, which was not the case in Week 1. He faces a big game on Sunday against a Chiefs defense that has struggled this season and is allowing 137.5 yards per game. That's the third worst rate in the league.
As of Monday, 56% of bettors are backing the Buccaneers, which is one of the lowest support numbers for a favorite this weekend. I expect that support to wane as the week progresses and any concerns about Daniels' health subside.
Therefore, there is a chance that this odds will drop to 2.5 as the week progresses. If it does, it's worth betting on as soon as possible.
Check out the odds for each game of Wild Card weekend from our top NFL betting sites.
Moneyline
Best odds on the Buccaneers: -164 on FanDuel | Estimated Probability: 62.12%
Best odds on the Buccaneers: +150 via BetMGM | Estimated Probability: 40.00%
After starting the Teamsters as 3.5-point favorites, the spread has dropped to three. This has led to a lower moneyline. However, some of our top betting shops are more reluctant to change the price than others.
The best price on the Buccaneers is -164 on FanDuel, which is significantly better than the -185 offered by BetMGM. If you're betting on the Buccaneers, there's no reason to wait to get into the game. Many betting shops are already offering a price below +145, so +150 might be the best bet of the week.
Spread
Best odds on the Buccaneers: -3 (-110) on FanDuel
Best odds on the Boilermakers: +3 (-105) at BetMGM
Given the way the Bucs finished the season, it's no surprise that the spread is dropping. They defeated the hapless New Orleans Saints in Week 18 before losing to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 16. The team has won six of their last seven games, but the Chiefs are probably better than any other team they've faced during that span. The odds could stay the same or drop to 2.5, as the Bucs and Commanders are equally favored.
Over/Under.
Best Over odds: 50.5 (-105) via FanDuel
Best Odds on Under: 50.5 (-110) via BetMGM
When it comes to totals, there isn't much difference between the best sports betting sites. All betting sites have this figure at 50.5 with slight differences in price. However, 67% of bettors are currently backing a higher total, which is not surprising as these two teams scored 57 points in the first meeting and it was Daniels' first start. If that figure holds, it will increase.
How to watch the Commanders vs. Buccaneers matchup
When: Sunday, Jan. 12
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Where: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Fla.)
How to watch: NBC/Peacock
Weather: 48 degrees, 14% chance of precipitation, 6 mph north wind.
Favorite: Buccaneers -3 (-110 on FanDuel)
