Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Arizona Cardinals (12/25 @ 8:20 PM EST.)
Spread: Tampa Bay (-4)
Total: Over 40.5
Overview and Betting Info
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers go west for the holiday with a Sunday (Christmas) night football matchup with the Arizona Cardinals at 8:20 PM EST.
Both teams could be described as having a miserable December, so this is not the level of competition fans expected when the schedule was announced in May.
It is telling how far Arizona has fallen that the Cardinals are not favored, and they are the home team. Tampa Bay is a (-4) favorite with the total being set at Over 40.5.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The 6-8 Tampa Bay Buccaneers attempt to dust themselves off from two straight dismal performances against the San Francisco 49ers and the Cincinnati Bengals. The Buccaneers hope for a Christmas miracle, appearing in their first game on Christmas day in franchise history, to keep them ahead of an underwhelming NFC South division in 2022.
It is still mind boggling that the Bucs left a 17-point lead over the Bengals slip away in Week 15 and lost in humiliating fashion by the score of 34-23.
Tampa Bay has not played well on the road in 2022; they have won only two out of their six road games this season.
The Bucs are going the wrong way in the NFL Power Rankings. For Week 16, they are 23rd down from 21st in Week 15.
Arizona Cardinals
The 4-10 Arizona Cardinals have fallen below all expectations. It was just last season the Cardinals raced out to a 7-0 start. Injuries have been an issue. Quarterback Kyler Murray is out for the season. Colt McCoy is a capable backup, but he is in the concussion protocol and is out for Week 16. That means the ball will be in the hands of QB3 Trace McSorley.
The Cardinals home field advantage has been nonexistent in 2022. They have only won one out of eight home games.
After losing their fourth straight game in Week 15, Arizona fell from 29th in the Week 15 NFL Power Rankings to 31st.
Free Pick: Over 40.5
Neither team is playing well on either side of the ball, but if there is a game where Tom Brady and the Bucs break out of their funk, it could be this one. Each team could end up the victor in this game of underperformers making the Over 40.5 the recommended pick.
