Remember this week because it may not happen again in NFL betting lines as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are actually favored. The Bucs are laying three points at home to Cleveland in NFL lines. Should the Buccaneers be favored is the question you have to answer.
It just doesn’t sound right does it? Tampa Bay is favored. They could be the worst team in the NFL and they are favored. Why are they favored? They are playing Cleveland but the Browns look to be improved this season. Do the odds makers simply have this game wrong?
The Bucs are 3-point home favorites in NFL lines at SBG with the total on the game at 37. This is a Tampa Bay team that won a total of three games last season. They enter the season with a quarterback in Josh Freeman who has barely played at all in the preseason. And they are facing a Cleveland team that looks better with quarterback Jake Delhomme.
Take the Points – The Bucs have a quarterback who doesn’t look ready to play, a weak offense overall, a poor defense and very few playmakers. In fact, the best player on the offense looks to be rookie wide receiver Mike Williams. The Bucs should not be favored. Unless Delhomme implodes and turns the ball over the Browns should win outright.
Turnovers – If the Browns avoid turning the ball over they should win this game. They have running back Jerome Harrison and receiver/returner Joshua Cribbs. The Browns simply have more playmakers on both sides of the ball. They have some nice talent in the secondary with Eric Wright and Joe Haden. Cleveland may be able to force Tampa into mistakes so if their offense hands on to the ball it should be a successful opener for the Browns.
Side and Total Trends – The Browns are 7-0 against the NFL betting lines in their last 7 games overall. The Browns are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games. The Buccaneers are 1-10 ATS in their last 11 home games. The last seven Tampa games have gone under the total. Four of the last five Tampa home games have gone under. Also noteworthy, 11 of the last 15 Tampa season openers have gone under.