NFL Week 8 starts off with the Thursday night matchup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Buffalo Bills. Both teams are looking to bounce back from Week 7 losses. Tampa Bay has a 3-3 record and currently holds the final NFC Wild Card spot. Buffalo has a 4-3 record and currently holds the final AFC Wild Card spot. Meanwhile, football bettors are looking to start NFL Week 8 on the right track. What is the best bet available in this game? Let’s take a look.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Buffalo Bills Odds and Match Details
Team | Spread | Total | ML |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +8.5
-110 |
O42.5
-110 |
+340 |
Buffalo Bills | -8.5
-110 |
U42.5
-110 |
-430 |
Fixture: Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Buffalo Bills
Date and Time: October 26, 2023 at 8:15 p.m.
Location: Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York
Weather Forecast: Overcast and 61 degrees
Field Surface: Turf
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Buffalo Bills Injury Report
Buccaneers Injuries
- Chase Edmonds (RB)-Knee: INJURED RESERVE
- Vita Vea (DB)-Groin: Questionable
- Kaevon Merriweather (S)-Ankle: Questionable
- Baker Mayfield (QB)-Knee: Questionable
- Chris Godwin (WR)-Neck: Questionable
Bills Injuries
- Josh Allen (QB)-Shoulder: Probable
- Dawson Knox (TE)-Wrist: OUT
- Quintin Morris (TE)-Ankle: Questionable
- Damien Harris (RB)-Neck: INJURED RESERVE
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Key Stats
The biggest thing to note about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is that five of their first six games have gone Under the projected point total this season. They allow just 17.3 points per game and score just 17.2 points per game.
Part of the reason that they struggle to put up points is that the Buccaneers have a poor rushing attack. They rank 29th in the NFL in rushing yards per game (77.8). However, there is a good chance that Tampa Bay may try to lean on this Thursday. Why is that?
The Bills rank 23rd in rushing yards allowed per game (128.3). Plus, their passing weapons are not 100% healthy. QB Baker Mayfield and WR Chris Godwin are both dealing with injuries. The main challenge here is that RB Chase Edmonds is on the injured reserve list. However, if RB Rachaad White can carry the load, Tampa Bay could take advantage of this.
Buffalo Bills Key Stats
Do not overestimate the loss of TE Dawson Knox in this game. He has just 102 receiving yards and one touchdown reception through seven games this season. The chances of QB Josh Allen playing in this game are good as well. Considering Buffalo is sixth in the NFL with 256.9 passing yards per game, this is crucial.
The Bills’ offense needs to break through in this game. They average about 11 more points per game than Tampa Bay. Buffalo is 3-0 this season when they score more than 25 points. However, they are just 1-3 when they score fewer than 25 points.
Game Prediction
While the Buffalo Bills have proven they can put up points this season, I do not expect that to happen here. Their offense has struggled of late, averaging under 20 points per game during their last three games. I still think they will come up with the win, but it should be a close, low-scoring affair.
Final Pick
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +8.5 (-110)
Under 42.5 (-110)
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