The Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers clash in week 8 NFL Thursday Night Football action at Highmark Stadium. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need a win after losing 3 of their last 4 games. The Buccaneers have won both road games this season. Baker Mayfield is completing 65.2 percent of his passes for 1,363 yards, 8 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have combined for 866 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, while Rachaad White has 22 receptions. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ground game is averaging 77.8 yards per contest, and White leads the way with 266 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, Tampa Bay is allowing 17.3 points and 342.5 yards per game. Lavonte David leads the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with 53 tackles, Vita Vea has 3.5 sacks and Christian Izien has 2 interceptions.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Team Facts
- The Buccaneers have won each of their last six games against AFC East opponents.
- The Buccaneers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games against AFC opponents.
- The Buccaneers have won the first half in three of their last four games as heavy underdogs (>+7.0 points).
- The Buccaneers have scored the first touchdown in each of their last seven Thursday games.
- The Buccaneers have won the first quarter in three of their last four games as heavy underdogs (>+7.0 points).
Buffalo Bills Betting Preview
The Buffalo Bills also need a win after splitting their last 4 games. The Bills have won 6 straight home games. Josh Allen is completing 70.7 percent of his passes for 1,841 yards, 15 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis have combined for 1,025 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, while Dalton Kincaid has 25 receptions. The Buffalo Bills ground game is averaging 112.9 yards per contest, and James Cook leads the way with 419 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, Buffalo is allowing 16.9 points and 329.6 yards per game. Terrel Bernard leads the Buffalo Bills with 68 tackles, Leonard Floyd has 6.5 sacks and Micah Hyde has 2 interceptions.
Buffalo Bills Team Facts
- The Bills have won each of their last six October games at Highmark Stadium.
- The Bills have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five Week 8 games.
- The Bills have lost the first quarter in each of their last two games as heavy favorites (>-7.0 points).
- The Bills have lost the first half in each of their last two games as heavy favorites (>-7.0 points).
- The Bills have scored the first touchdown in nine of their last 10 home games against NFC opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Bills are the only team in the NFL to rank top 5 for both interceptions and sacks this season.
- The Bills rank 1st in the NFL in Q4 points per game this season (11.9).
- The Buccaneers rank T1st in the NFL in fumbles recovered this season (7).
- The Buccaneers rank 1st in the NFL in average yards per punt this season (52.9).
Randy’s Pick
The Buffalo Bills are the better team here, obviously, and they can’t afford to lose this game, but they’ve been disappointing up to this point and playing on short rest probably doesn’t do them any favors. The Buccaneers have no running game and that’s why they’re 26th in scoring offense, but they find ways to play hard and compete. The Bucs are 10th in rush defense and sixth in scoring defense. This feels like an ugly, low scoring Thursday night game with both teams limping toward the finish line. I want the points in my pocket with Tampa Bay.
