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Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Week 18 Expert Picks: Saints vs. Buccaneers

The Buccaneers are favored to win at home in Week 18 against the New Orleans Saints, and most national NFL experts believe they will capture a fourth straight division title

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers wrap up their 2024 regular season at home on Sunday against the division rival New Orleans Saints, hoping to extend their campaign into the postseason. The Buccaneers will win their fourth straight NFC South title if they can complete a season sweep of New Orleans, but the Saints have won five of their last six games at Raymond James Stadium. To find out how to watch, listen and livestream the game, click here.

Most of the experts echo the same sentiments, believing Baker Mayfield and the Bucs' surging offense can keep it up for another week. One notes that the Saints have averaged 11 points per game in five Spencer Rattler starts. Pete Prisco of CBS Sports thinks the fact that the Buccaneers have more on the line on Sunday will matter.

Tom Blair of NFL.com sums it up this way:

"Even if the Saints weren't limping to the finish line, I would not be able to resist rolling with Baker Mayfield in a win-and-in situation. At one time, that might have read like some sort of a "bit," but no longer. My pro-Baker position is earnest and defensible, because he's performing like one of the best QBs in the NFL, tied with Lamar Jackson for the second-most passing TDs (39) and ranking behind only Jackson, Joe Burrow and Jared Goff in passer rating (107.6). His fiery enthusiasm plays well now that he's thriving with a strong surrounding cast and play-caller."

The Buccaneers are 13.5-point favorites at home against a Saints team dealing with a litany of injuries to its offensive personnel. Most experts think that line makes sense. Here's what some of them are saying:

NFL.com – Tampa Bay is the choice for all five analysts

ESPN.com – Bucs get all 10 picks from Bristol crew

CBSSports.com – Pete Prisco sides with Tampa Bay

USA Today – Six experts choose the Buccaneers, and five of six stay with that pick against the spread

Bleacher Report – Eight analysts agree on the Buccaneers

Pro Football Talk – Both Mike Florio and Chris Simms see a fourth straight division title for Bucs

Sports Illustrated – Albert Breer and five other MMQB contributors agree on a Bucs win

Sporting News – Vinnie Iyer tabs Buccaneers as his "Lock of the Week"

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