When it comes to great NFL quarterback games, does it really get better than Tom Brady vs. Drew Brees? This is likely the last time these two all-time greats will share the pitch – there are rumors this could be the last push for Brees and retirement awaits him in the offseason – as they finish the division round tonight. In the regular season, New Orleans got the better of rivals NFC South, sweeping the two-game streak quite convincingly. However, when it’s the playoffs, you might be able to dismiss this recent history – especially with a quarterback like Brady on the opposing sideline.
Below, we’ll dive head first into all the different betting angles this game has to offer. Along with the picks surrounding the spread and total from our CBS Sports and SportsLine experts, you’ll also get some of the scoop on our favorite accessory bets for what’s supposed to be an epic head-to-head.
All NFL odds are via William Hill Sportsbook.
How to watch
Dated: Sunday January 17 | Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
Location: Marcedes-Benz Superdome (New Orleans)
TV: FOX | Current: fuboTV (try for free)
To follow: CBS Sports app
Last Chances:
New Orleans Saints -2.5
“The Saints have beaten the Bucs twice in the regular season, and now have a chance for the hat trick. New Orleans beat Tom Brady in those two wins, fending him off five times and sacking him six times. Last meeting in November. The defense abused Brady. But Brady has since come back to life. He plays very good football. The Saints’ defense will remain a major challenge. They have been good against the pass all season, so will give rise to an interesting battle between these two units. On the other hand, the Tampa Bay defense didn’t play well last week against Washington. If it plays like that this week, it will be ugly. I don’t think so. not that it will. But Drew Brees and Alvin Kamara will do enough to find a way to win this one. The Saints get the sweep and move on. ”- Pete Prisco explains why he plans wins on the News -Orléans and blankets against the Bucs.
“When two division rivals meet in the playoffs, I don’t necessarily pay attention to what happened in the regular season, but in this game it’s a little hard to ignore. The Saints blew them up. Buccaneers twice this year with wins of 34-23 and 38-3, and yes I count that first score as a blowout as it was 34-17 late in the game until the Buccaneers scored a touchdown in the trash, “John Breech explains why he loves that the Saints pull out victory and cover against Tampa Bay.
In his daring betting tips for the divisional round, CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin asks Tom Brady to throw a winning touchdown to ultimately kill the Saints in New Orleans to qualify for the NFC Championship game. To read the rest of Cody’s Bold Predictions, click here.
“While Tampa Bay has the talent, it’s hard to trust them to go on the road and kill the Saints. In their career, Drew Brees is 5-2 SU and ATS head-to-head with Tom Brady. This game will be closer than previous clashes, but I will continue with the status quo in New Orleans. ”- Tyler Sullivan explains why he leans towards the Saints, 28-24.
SportsLine’s Hammerin ‘Hank Goldberg has been scorching in his last 27 games against the Saints ATS, posting a 20-6-1 ATS record. This includes New Orleans covering last week against the Bears. To see how he’s learning in this game, head over to SportsLine.
Buccaneers at Saints total picks
“This is the second-highest on the divisional round list and for good reason. The Over is 20-14 between these two teams this year and both clubs are boasting of having scoring offenses in a hurry. In their two previous clashes this season, the Saints and Bucs have combined for an average of 49 points per game. That number is sharply reduced thanks to the Buccaneers’ three-point performance in their last game of the regular season. More recently, however, the Tampa Bay offense has picked things up over the past month. In his last four games, Tom Brady has thrown 1,518 yards (379.4 passing yards per game). He also threw 12 touchdowns for a single interception during that same streak. If he can keep that momentum going against a solid defense from the Saints, Brady and Brees should be able to work their way through the above that total. “- Tyler Sullivan explains why he leans towards the Over at Saints-Bucs.
Best Accessories Choices
- Mike Evans total yards receiving: under 66.5 (-115) – Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports
- Tom Brady’s total passing yards: over 306.5 (-115) – Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports
- Antonio Brown hit anytime (+200) – Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports
- Total receptions of Alvin Kamara: less than 4.5 (+130) – Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports
- Michael Thomas total yards receiving: over 78.5 (-115) – Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports
- Drew Brees total passing touchdowns: over 1.5 (-190) – Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports