The Tampa Bay Buccaneers go into Week 14 more than likely the odds on favorite of NFL picks to once again score a victory versus the Houston Texans. The Bucs victory over the Saints last week put them at 8-4 SU and gave them a comfortable 3 game cushion for the division lead. With starting QB Jeff Garcia side lined with a bruised back head coach Jon Gruden decided to start third-string quarterback Luke McCown instead of Jeff Garcia. The start last week was McCown’s first start for Tampa Bay and fifth of his career. He performed better then expected as he completed his first 15 passes and ended up completing 29 of 37 for 313 yards and two touchdowns. The Tampa Bay defense was also able to keep Saints RB Reggie Bush in check as he rushed for only 64 yards on 13 carries. SportsBetting.com looks for Tampa Bay to win this one as they have them listed as a -3 point favorite.
The Texans who started the season with consecutive victories have won only three of 10 games since and have little chance of making the playoffs sitting at 5-7 SU on the season. Getting a win this week versus the Bucs will be even tougher as starting QB Matt Schaub left last weeks game in the first quarter with a dislocated left shoulder and will likely be out this week. Backup QB, Sage Rosenfels replaced Schaub and went 17-of-30 for 185 yards, one touchdown and an interception. In his only start this season, Rosenfels was 11-of-19 for 181 yards with one TD in a 24-17 win over Oakland. The Texans seem to have gotten their running game on track as RB Ron Dayne rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown. The Texans have averaged 118.4 yards in their last five games after averaging only 60.2 in their previous five.
Tampa Bay is 4-0 SU and ATS their L4 games, but are only 1-2 SU versus the AFC. The Texans are a horrible 4-10-1 ATS in their L15 games versus NFC opponents and 0-3 ATS in this year against teams gaining more than 7 yards per passing attempt. Unfortunately for the Texans the bucs have averaged 7.1 this season.
The Bucs have all but locked up the NFC South after the win at New Orleans last week and they face the NFL’s weakest schedule the rest of the way. The challenge for the Bucs will be to say motivated enough to get the win.
Michael Alexander has been handicapping the NFL for over 20 years and is locked in on GUARANTEED selections for this week action. Visit Michael at Alexander Sports for all of your winning action.
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