Spread in Bucs vs Saints Game Down to 3 After Opening at 5.5

• The 2-2 Buccaneers head to New Orleans to play the 3-1 Saints in Week 5
• After the Saints initially opened as -5.5 favorites the line is now down to -3
• Is there now value in betting the Saints?

Few would’ve thought the New Orleans Saints would win their two games following the Drew Brees injury – but they’ve done just that, defeating two playoff teams from last season Seattle and Dallas. Now in Week 5, they’re up against an upstart Buccaneers squad that upset the Rams in Los Angeles last weekend.

You can see a head-to-head breakdown of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints odds & stats for all your betting info associated with this critical NFC South tilt.

The initial betting line had Saints to win by 5.5 points, but that line has dropped to three. Should you wager on the Saints at that price or are the Buccaneers the better betting option?

Buccaneers vs Saints Week 5 Spread

*Odds taken 10/03/19

Saints Have Withstood Absence of Drew Brees

It’s not as if Teddy Bridgewater has been lighting the world on fire in the absence of future Hall of Famer Drew Brees, but he’s managed to avoid mistakes and done just enough (and relied on a strong defense and special teams) to snag a pair of victories. Teams have keyed on Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas but that hasn’t stopped the Saints offense from doing just enough to emerge on top.

“I appreciate you guys for accepting me… I love y’all,”

– Teddy Bridgewater’s postgame speech ⚜️

(Via @NFLFilms) #Saints pic.twitter.com/tCmPhjYAz1

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 25, 2019

Of course, to pin the wins entirely on Bridgewater would be a bit hasty, seeing as how the Saints D has a ranking of tenth according to Pro Football Focus and their special teams a very strong fourth.

Saints win. 2-0 without Drew Brees if you can believe it. And thank the defense tonight. Absolutely dominant.

— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) September 30, 2019

Saints Results This Season

Bruce Arians Has Bucs Playing Solid Ball

Who would’ve seen the Buccaneers offensive explosion for 55 points in LA coming? Tampa Bay set club records in that game and the quarterback whisperer Bruce Arians perhaps has saved Jameis Winston’s potentially fledgling career in what has amounted to a make-or-break season.

55 points and 464 total yards! ???@BaldyNFL breaks down the keys to the @Buccaneers HUGE offensive performance in Week 4. #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/9Wp9aQohcM

— NFL (@NFL) October 2, 2019

Somewhat surprisingly, in recent history the Bucs have actually had the Saints number, albeit in a small sample size, winning two of their last three battles. Who could forget Week 1 last year in the Bayou when Ryan FitzMagic was rekindled as Tampa Bay won, killing many people’s survivor pools right out of the gate.

Tampa Bay Cleared Three Points in Last Three Weeks

After losing the first game of the season in San Francisco by two touchdowns, the Buccaneers have won a pair of games and lost by one point in the other after a demoralizing collapse and missed a game-winning field goal against the Giants.

Without question, last week’s triumph against the Rams is the one that will have bettors more likely to back the Bucs, which dropped the line from 5.5 down to 3. But should you trust them to get it done again?

Buccaneers Results This Season

Saints Simply Too Strong

If potential NFC representatives in the Super Bowl in Seattle and Dallas could fall to a Saints squad then a young team in Tampa Bay surely can suffer the same fate and lose a contest that has everyone thinking they might win. This will be the third full week for Bridgewater starting in the offense and he’ll be unleashed against a defense that has given up at least 31 points in three of four games.

Pick: Saints (-3)