NFL Preseason Betting PreviewNew England Patriots at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sunday, 8:00 pm Eastern – NFL Network
SBG Global Opening Line: Patriots PK , Total 33.5
The New England Patriots will play their second preseason game of the year on Sunday night in Tampa Bay and they are waiting for the NFL week one and look to play much better than they did a week ago in their home loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Quarterback Tom Brady was held out last week and his backups were awful in the loss. Brady should see his first action of the season on Sunday. Reports have him playing at least the first quarter against the Bucs. SBG Global reports that early NFL betting has the public taking Patriots on the Road.
Last week the Patriots backup quarterbacks combined to turn the ball over four times. Matt Cassel was 1-4, Matt Gutierrez 10-16 and Kevin O’Connell 6-13. All three threw an interception in their limited action. O’Connell led the team’s only touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. New England did get solid play out of newcomer Lamont Jordan who rushed for 76 yards on 19 carries. “LaMont did some really good things,” Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said. “Some things like being new to the system and running plays for the first time, especially under full-speed contact situations, look a little different and have a different feel to them.”
SBG Global Current Line: Patriots 1.5 , Total 34.5
Tampa Bay defeated the Miami Dolphins 17-6 last week even though starting quarterback Jeff Garcia did not play. Garcia is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Patriots. Four other quarterbacks got playing time for the Bucs though against Miami. Luke McCown, Brian Griese, Chris Simms and rookie Josh Johnson took their turns leading the team. The quarterback that looked the best last week was Brian Griese. “Brian Griese has had a great camp and did a heck of a job on the two-minute drill," said head coach Jon Gruden. "That was a great way to end the half. We still have a little bit more work to do.” Griese was 10-14 for 59 yards in the win. Running back Earnest Graham was held out last week against Miami but is expected to play on Sunday. Wide receiver Joey Galloway is not expected to play against the Patriots due to an injured calf.
NFL betting stats show that the Buccaneers have a 6-1 lead in the all-time preseason series with the Patriots. That includes a 13-10 win at home in last year’s preseason action.
