NFL Underdog Pick: Week 1
September 3rd 2008
by Special K

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3.5) at New Orleans Saints        

The New Orleans Saints have made some of the best off-season acquisitions in the NFL. The Saints defense who ranked 26th last year acquired Jonathan Vilma, Randall Gay, Aaron Glenn, and Bobby McCray for the 2008 season. The addition of these players makes the Saints a legitimate contender for representing the NFC in the Super Bowl. However, it will take some time for these players to gel and the trends between both these teams don't lie.

Key Trends between Saints and Buccaneers:
1. The Road team is 8-2 against the spread in the last 10 games.
2. The Underdog is 7-3 against the spread in the last 10 games.

TREND ADVANTAGE: BUCCANEERS

I don't expect the Buccaneers to roll up 460+ yards of offense against the Saints  defense like they did last time around, but I do expect a close hard fought divisional battle decided by a field goal or less. I'll take that extra 1/2 point any day.

Jeff Garcia is once again playing with a chip on his shoulder. The rumors of Brett Favre going to the Buccaneers during the off-season has fueled Garcia to prove to everyone that the Buccaneers are just as good with him at QB.