Published Dec 3, 5:55pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Dec 3, 5:55pm ET
Grok AI
Updated Dec 3, 5:55pm ET
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|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | -9 (-105) |
| New Orleans Saints | +9 (-115) |
In a 2-10 season like the one the Saints are having, it's hard to look for positives. They are going to have a very high pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and must decide if they need a quarterback. If Arch Manning comes out — and it's said to be unlikely — the pressure will be overwhelming for New Orleans to take him when his grandfather Archie Manning is an icon in the family's home base of Louisiana.
However, rookie Tyler Shough is the man for now and after taking over for Spencer Rattler in Week 8, has played solidly. He has a 65.2 completion percentage, a passer rating of 83.6, with 5 TDs and 4 picks.
Tyler Shough has real QB1 potential.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 3, 2025
The highs are really high 👀pic.twitter.com/v2SM4jmzHv
As the Saints and head coach Kellen Moore decide on Shough, the fact that he's already 26 must factor into the equation.
They have some pieces in place for the future including receiver Chris Olave, cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, and veteran back Alvin Kamara.
The Saints have been solid against the pass, ranked 7th in defensive passing yards per game. In all other areas, they are in the bottom third of the NFL or worse. But if they can corral Baker Mayfield, they can keep the game close.
ALSO SEE: Colts vs Jaguars Week 14 Odds & NFL Pick (Dec 7)
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Alvin Kamara, RB | INJURED |
| Justin Reid, S | INJURED |
The Bucs broke a 3-game skid in Week 13 by squeaking by the Cardinals 20-17. Mayfield showed familiar toughness in returning with a left shoulder sprain. He completed 18 of 28 passes for 194 yards and a TD. He also ran for 27 yards on 6 carries.
Despite playing with a sprained AC joint he suffered less than a week ago, Baker Mayfield is still scrambling around to make something out of nothing.
— Josh Hill (@jdavhill) November 30, 2025
Impossible to not love this dude #WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/sBxYkMkApQ
The team also got feature back Bucky Irving back. He ran for 61 yards on 17 carries and scored a TD. They also pulled out a little trickery with superstar offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs catching a TD pass.
TRISTAN WIRFS RECEIVING TD 🚨
— NFL (@NFL) November 30, 2025
AZvsTB on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/p8kDcfxbUw
Weeks 14 and 15 will be crucial to the Bucs' NFC South hopes. They are playing the Saints and Falcons in advance of meetings with the Panthers sandwiching a game with the Dolphins. All three of those games will likely have meaning. So the Bucs must beat New Orleans and Atlanta.
Carolina has a bye this week.
Tampa is +9 in takeaways, good for 2nd in the NFL. They are 6th in the league in defensive rushing yards per game. They have been mediocre in every other area, but they are getting healthy. Wide receiver Mike Evans' practice window is set to open soon, so they could get him back toward the end of the regular season.
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Bucky Irving, RB | INJURED |
| Baker Mayfield, QB | INJURED |
| Chris Godwin Jr., WR | INJURED |
| Jalen McMillan, WR | INJURED |
| Mike Evans, WR | INJURED |
| Benjamin Morrison, CB | INJURED |
In Week 14 Saints-Buccaneers, this is an absolutely must win for Tampa against a team that is just trying to finish out the season.
If the Bucs lose, they will be tied with the Panthers in the NFC West and in jeopardy of not just blowing the division, but missing the playoffs entirely. Given the circumstances, the Bucs will understand how critical the game is and pull it out. But the underdog Saints will keep it within the 9-point spread.
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Pick
New Orleans Saints +9
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