Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS) vs. New York Jets (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS)
NFL Week 1
Date and Time: Sunday, September 8, 1:00pm
Where: Metlife Stadium
TV: FOX
by Bob, Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: TB -3.5/NYJ +3.5
Over/Under Total: 40
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One of the less “sexy” matchups of the NFL week one will take place in the northeast when the Tampa Bay Bucs head North to take on the New York Jets. For the last two seasons, Tampa has shown promise early on, only to falter as the season goes. Two years ago, their coach deemed them “The best team in the NFC,” before finishing dead last in the NFC South. The Bucs are much improved, especially on defense, but they still have much to prove. The New York Jets are….well, they are the New York Jets. The NFL’s version of the Kardashians: Extremely popular, yet untalented. I seriously feel that this Jets team could quite possibly end up being the worst team in all of the NFL. With no true quarterback to lead the team, no running back, and wide receivers that no one has ever heard of, I just don’t see this team winning very many games. This game opens up at 3.5 point spread in favor of the Bucs. A road favorite? Very interesting.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are desperately trying to make themselves a factor in the high powered NFC South. This division rivals the NFC West as the best division in all of football. Tampa could very well be a playoff caliber team, yet go 0-6 in their division versus Atlanta, New Orleans, and Carolina. It’s a tough road ahead. With that said, Josh Freeman is still improving, and the Bucs have signed a major defensive talent in Darrelle Revis that should help with what was already a pretty good secondary. The X factor for the Tampa Defense will be their line. If the big boys up front can force opposing QBs to rush their throws, the DBs can have a great impact. On the offensive side of the ball the three main weapons will be quarterback, Josh Freeman, running back Doug Martin (who made a huge impact as a rookie last season), and wide out Vincent Jackson. The Tampa offense could be good enough to at least compete in every game. Going into New York and playing the Jets could be a great gauge as to how the season will go.
20 POINT TEASERS – 25 TEAM PARLAYS
– REDUCED ODDS -105 ON SIDES/TOTALS. SWITCH TO BETANYSPORTS
TODAY!
The New York Jets. What a mess. From Rex Ryan guaranteeing a Super Bowl, to the feet scandal, to Tim Tebow, as well as the butt fumble, the Jets for the last three seasons have been nothing short of a joke. They aren’t competitive, they are still the little brother to the Giants, and I just don’t see any reason to think they will be any different this season. The defense is average, the offense is putrid, and the coaching is down right nonexistent. The Jets need something or someone to get this team in gear or it could be a very long season. Many in New York believe that Geno Smith plans to take over the starting quarterback spot once Mark Sanchez begins to stumble, but I am not so sure that’s a good thing. Geno is a heck of an athlete but appears to still be very raw at the QB position. It will be awhile before he is primed and ready to truly lead a team to victory. There really isn’t much more to say about this team, Jets fan, prepare for a long season.
Tampa comes in as a 3.5 point favorite in this contest. It’s quite unusual to see a team on the road, especially a team considered middle of the pack, to go into someone else’s house and be favored. Well that’s what we have. There are no sure fire stats to cause me to lean either way on this matchup. Week 1, NFL, is always a gut check. You just got to pick with your natural instinct. My deep down feeling tells me in this game to take the favorite. I am going Tampa Bay all the way to the bank. I don’t even think this game will be close. Look forward to a 24-10 type finish. The Bucs defense, anchored by a former Jet himself (Revis), will want nothing more than to shut down the men in green. Take the better team here. Take the Bucs.
Bob’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS -3.5