The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-1, 1-1 away) take on the Philadelphia Eagles (2-3, 0-2 home) to kick off Week 6 of the National Football League. Both teams are coming off victories last Sunday, with the Bucs defeating the Dolphins, 45-17, and Philadelphia besting Carolina, 21-18.
Thursday’s kickoff is at 8:20 p.m. EST at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. Tampa Bay is a 7-point favorite, and the over-under total is at 53 points.
What to Know – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The defending Super Bowl champions haven’t let down this year, sitting atop the NFC South. Tampa Bay returned every starter from last season’s championship team, and the cohesiveness has paid off with a 4-1 start.
Future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady powers a Tampa Bay offense that averages 33.4 points per game behind 443.6 yards of total offense. Brady is completing 66.2% of his passes for 1,767 yards, 15 touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Wide receivers Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Antonio Brown all have over 300 yards receiving and multiple touchdowns this year, with Evans leading the ground with 29 receptions, 393 yards, and four touchdowns.
The Buc’s defense is surrendering 374.0 yards and 24.4 points per game to opponents. Tampa Bay has the best rushing defense in the league, allowing only 45.8 yards per game on the ground.
Tampa Bay is 2-3 against the spread this season and 0-4-1 ATS in their last five contests against teams from the NFC East.
What to Know – Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia picked up some momentum heading into the short week with a victory on Sunday. The Eagles had suffered three consecutive losses before turning things around against the Panthers. A win over the Bucs would be huge for Philadelphia, who already it two games back in the NFC East.
The Eagles score 23.0 points and average 389.4 yards of offense per game. Quarterback Jalen Hurts leads the team through the air and on the ground, throwing for 1,365 yards and rushing for another 256.
Rookie wide receiver and former Alabama teammate DeVonta Smith has emerged as the main target for Hurts. Smith has hauled in 25 of 39 targets for 314 yards and one touchdown.
Philadelphia’s defense is holding teams to 24.8 points and 351.2 yards of total offense per game. The Eagles rank third in the league in passing defense and ninth in total defense.
The Eagles have had a ton of success ATS in Week 6, going 6-2 over the last eight games. Philadelphia is 2-3 ATS this season and 0-2 at home.
The Pick is In
Tampa Bay has an explosive offense that will put the Eagles’ secondary to the test. While the Eagles are stout in pass defense, they struggle against the run, so you might see a different game plan Thursday night for Brady and the Bucs.
This season, Philadelphia has already faced two high octane offenses (Dallas, Kansas City), falling in both by an average margin of 16 points. The Bucs win this one comfortably and advance to 5-1 on the season.
Betting Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers -7
