After narrowly escaping Week 13 with a victory over the New Orleans Saints, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers now set their sights on the San Francisco 49ers in Week 14. Can Tom Brady and company pick up their fourth win in five games and continue to improve their odds of making the 2022 NFL playoffs?
The linemakers over at BetOnline aren't optimistic. Here are their latest NFL online betting odds ahead of Buccaneers vs. 49ers, which is set to kick off on Sunday, December 11, at 8:25 p.m. EST:
Make sure you double-check these online NFL betting odds right up until you place your wager. Our Buccaneers vs. 49ers betting odds are accurate entering Wednesday, December 7. That gives these football betting lines plenty of time to change between now and the scheduled start time. And make no mistake, we expect this game to shift more than most. The Niners lost quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for the season this past week, which means the early action has the potential to turn these lines on their head.
To be certain, this isn't cause for concern. So long as you're working with the right sportsbook, you'll be well equipped to handle any last-minute changes. That's why we recommend checking out our reviews of the top online sportsbooks. We've compiled all the information you could ever need to find the best online NFL betting sites for the 2022 season.
So, who should you bet on to win the Niners vs. Buccaneers game? And how should you expect the spread and over/under to shake out? Let's dig into the details!
Do the Buccaneers Have a Major Week 14 Upset in Them?
Jimmy G's injury reportedly may not be season-ending, after all. Multiple outlets suggest the 49ers quarterback could return in time for the NFL playoffs. But that still puts him out for Week 14, and while many have suggested San Francisco might be better off with rookie Brock Purdy under center, we need to be realistic.
The Niners have ascended to the top of the Super Bowl discussion by doing two things: defending their butts off and protecting the ball. Jimmy G is nothing if not capable of completing handoffs and ensuring he doesn't let his interception rate get too high. Rookies like Purdy are going to be inherently iffier, even if the game plan is to lean on star running back Christian McCaffrey throughout this contest.
This shouldn't bode well for San Francisco going up against Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers are fourth in net yards allowed per passing attempt, and with the Niners likely not looking to move the ball downfield very often, this will free them up to be even more aggressive getting after the quarterback and stopping the run.
Granted, San Francisco has the offensive line to withstand this assault. And Tampa Bay has somewhat struggled to stop the run; they rank 22nd in net yards allowed per rushing attempt. But beefing up that mark gets easier when you can be more aggressive blitzing from the secondary, and we expect the Bucs to do just that with guys like Jamel Dean and Mike Edwards.
The real question: Can Tampa Bay score enough against a San Francisco defense that ranks first in points allowed per game? We think they can. Tom Brady is no longer a megastar, but he knows how to run a two-minute drill, and the Niners won't be able to force him into a bunch of botched throws. Tampa Bay may have to lean on the rushing attack more than its used to, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. They already use the run and short-yardage throws to control the clock. This becomes much more valuable against a San Francisco offense that, frankly, might be on the verge of devolving into shambles.
OSB Prediction: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+150)
You Can Hedge Your Risk in Bucs vs. Niners by Betting on Tampa Bay to Cover the Point Spread
Here are the latest NFL point spread betting odds for Buccaneers vs. 49ers in Week 14:
- San Francisco 49ers, -3.5 (-106)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers, +3.5 (-114)
Is betting the Buccaneers moneyline too risky for you? Consider their point spread. San Francisco has bumped up their margin of victory to almost nine points on the season, but Bucs' games, on average, are being determined by less than a full point. Seriously. Tampa Bay is averaging 18.2 points per game and allowing 18.5.
That margin is razor thin, and it fits what we've seen since Week 6—which is that only one of the Bucs' games have been decided by more than five points.
OSB Prediction: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, +3.5 (-114)
Expect the Buccaneers and 49ers to Battle It Out on the Defensive Side of the Ball
Below you can find the latest NFL over/under betting odds for Niners vs. Buccaneers in Week 14:
- Over 37.5 (-110)
- Under 37.5 (-110)
This is truly tough. Tampa Bay is a combined 2-10 against the over, but 37.5 points is just sooo low.
Then again, with the Niners starting a rookie under center, we expect them to rely on rushing plays more often than usual. Couple this with the Bucs' overarching short-yardage approach, and this should be a slow-paced affair in which both sides are looking to milk the clock and win the possession battle.
Ergo, it's best to follow this season's prevailing trend: Bet the Buccaneers' under.
OSB Prediction:
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