In this article, we will formulate a Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Washington Commanders prediction for this NFL game on Sunday, September 8th at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this week one matchup.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers went 9-8 last season and they finished first in the NFC South, as they won the tiebreaker with the Saints. Tampa Bay started the season with a 4-7 record through 11 games, but they went 5-1 to finish the regular season and clinch the division. Tampa Bay defeated the Eagles by a score of 32-9 in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, but they lost to Detroit by a score of 31-23 to end the season. The Tampa Bay offense averaged 20.5 points per game, while the defense allowed 19.1 points per game.
Tampa Bay was 2-1 in the preseason, which started with a 17-14 win over Cincinnati. The Buccaneers lost their second game by a score of 20-7 against Jacksonville but did beat Miami by a score of 24-14 in their last game. Tampa Bay will have Baker Mayfield under center this year and he will have Evans, Godwin, McMillan, and Otton as his primary receivers. Rachaad White is starting the season as the lead back, but Bucky Irving will also get plenty of touches.
Washington Commanders Betting Preview
The Washington Commanders were 4-13 last year and they finished fourth in the NFC East behind Dallas, Philadelphia, and New York. Washington picked up two wins to start the season against Arizona and Denver, but they went just 2-13 to end the season with one of the worst records in the league. Washington had Sam Howell under center, but he threw 21 interceptions during the season. The Washington offense scored 19.4 points per game, while the defense allowed 30.5 points per game.
Washington was 1-2 during the preseason, which began with a 20-17 loss against the Jets. The Commanders dropped their second game by a score of 13-6 against the Dolphins, but they did beat the Patriots by a score of 20-10 in the finale. Washington will have Jayden Daniels under center this year, but you never know what you are going to get with a rookie quarterback. The Commanders have McLaurin, Brown, Ertz, and Robinson Jr. as some of their key skill position players.
Why the Buccaneers will cover
- The Commanders have lost each of their last eight games.
- The favorites have won each of the Commanders’ last six games.
- The Commanders have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine September games against NFC opponents.
- The favorites have covered the spread in five of the Commanders’ last six games.
- The Commanders have lost the first quarter in each of their last seven games.
- The Commanders have lost the first half in each of their last 10 September games as underdogs.
- The Buccaneers have scored the first touchdown in each of their last four games as home favorites against NFC East opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Buccaneers’ last eight games against NFC East opponents has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Commanders’ last four road games in September has gone OVER the total points line.
- Five of the last six Sunday games at Raymond James Stadium have gone UNDER the total points line.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Player Prop Facts
- Mike Evans has scored a touchdown in each of the Buccaneers’ last four regular-season games against NFC East opponents.
- Baker Mayfield has recorded 258+ passing yards in five of his six previous appearances with his team as a favorite in Florida.
- Rachaad White has recorded 22+ receiving yards in each of the Buccaneers’ last seven games as home favorites.
- Rachaad White has recorded 93+ rushing and receiving yards in five of the Buccaneers’ last six Sunday games as favorites.
- Baker Mayfield has recorded 22+ completions in five of the Buccaneers’ last six games.
- Baker Mayfield has thrown three touchdowns in each of the Buccaneers’ last two games.
- Mike Evans has scored the last touchdown in each of the Buccaneers’ last three regular season games against NFC East opponents.
- Chase Edmonds has recorded 12+ rushing yards in each of the Buccaneers’ last seven games.
- Mike Evans ranked T1st in the NFL in receiving touchdowns (13) last season.
Washington Commanders Player Prop Facts
- Austin Ekeler has scored two touchdowns in three of his last four appearances on the East Coast.
- Austin Ekeler has scored the first touchdown in three of his last four September appearances against NFC opponents.
- Brian Robinson has scored at least one touchdown in each of his last six Sunday road appearances.
- Marcus Mariota has recorded 227+ passing yards in four of his last five September road appearances.
- Olamide Zaccheaus has recorded 13+ receiving yards in each of his last nine appearances with his team as an underdog on the East Coast.
- Brian Robinson has recorded 56+ rushing and receiving yards in seven of his last eight appearances with the Commanders as road underdogs.
- Marcus Mariota has recorded 22+ rushing yards in each of his last six regular-season appearances against NFC South opponents.
- Marcus Mariota has thrown three or more touchdowns in three of his four previous appearances with his team as a road underdog against NFC South opponents.
- Michael Davis is just two away from 10 career interceptions.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Buccaneers ranked 32nd in the NFL in rushing yards per game (88.8) last season.
- Last season, the Buccaneers held the equal-best record of any NFC South winner since the 2021 season (9-8-0).
- The Commanders ranked 32nd in the NFL in points allowed per game (30.5) last season.
- The Commanders ranked 32nd in the NFL in yards allowed per game (388.9) last season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Washington Commanders Prediction
Washington comes into this season looking for some improvement over last year and they have plenty of optimism, as they are excited to see their new quarterback. On the other side, the Buccaneers will look to start this year better than their 4-7 start in 2023. Baker Mayfield had a solid season last year and he has plenty of weapons to continue that in 2024. I do think Washington will be better this year, but Tampa Bay will force Daniels to make a few mistakes, which will cost them the game. Take the Buccaneers at home.