The last two winners of the NFC South division crown will open their 2008 seasons against each other on Sunday, September 7th. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints at the Superdome. The game begins at 1:00pm ET and can be seen on Fox. NFL Week 1 odds at Looselines.com have the Saints as a -3 (-120) home favorite.

Last year the Saints came down from their 2006 high. While the offense still played well and kept the team in games, injuries and defensive issues led to a 7-9 finish. This year the team has their eyes set on a return to the top of division and the playoffs. Quarterback Drew Brees will command a talent laden unit that will be aided by the return of running back Deuce McAllister. The defense should also be a more capable group with the additions of Sedrick Ellis (DT), Jonathan Vilma (LB), and Bobby McCray (DE).

The Buccaneers have been an up and down team in recent season and last year saw them on the rise as they took first place in a down NFC South with a 9-7 record. Tampa Bay should be in a position to retain their lead in the division but the Saints will be making a strong push to unseat them. The Buccaneers return eleven starters from a defense that held teams to just 270 points last year and ten starters on offense that averaged 4.2 yards per carry.

Key Matchup: The Bucs pass defense which held teams to 171 yards through the air in 2007 will need to curtail the Saints aerial attack (posted 270 yards per game last year). It will not be an easy assignment because the New Orleans offensive line allowed just 16 sacks last year.

NFL Week 1 Trend: The Under is 4-0 in the Buccaneers last four opening road games.

Looselines.com's NFL Week 1 Odds for the Buccaneers vs Saints:

Buccaneers +3 (Even), Over 42.5 (-110), +155 (Money line)

Saints -3 (-120), Under 42.5 (-110), -175 (Money line)

Get on board for an entire season of NFL Picks; we are prepped and ready to storm through the 2008 NFL schedule.

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