Washington Commanders vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Prediction, Preview and Odds - 09/08/2024

Game Time: 4:25 pm ET, Sunday, September 8, 2024

Venue:  Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL

Where to Watch:  FOX

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Commanders +3.5, Buccaneers -3.5; Over/Under:  42.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Commanders +3.5, Buccaneers -3.5; Over/Under:  42.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Commanders +3.5, Buccaneers -3.5; Over/Under:  42.5 points

Washington Commanders:  0-0 (NFC East)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  0-0 (NFC South)

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Washington Commanders:  N/A

Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  N/A

The Commanders finished last season with a 4-13 record overall and they were 0-6 in their division games too. They had a 1-7 record in their home games and had a 3-6 record in their road games where they will be in this game. Last season, their offense was averaging 19.4 points per game and their defense was allowing an average of 30.5 points per game. Their offense was also averaging 312.8 yards per game and their defense was allowing an average of 388.9 yards per game. Sam Howell led the team in passing yards with 3946, Brian Robinson Jr. led the team in rushing yards with 733, and Terry McLaurin led the team in receiving yards with 1002.

The Buccaneers finished last season with a 9-8 record overall and they were 4-2 in their division games too. They had a 4-4 record in their home games and had a 5-4 record in their road games, but they will be at home in this game. Last season, their offense was averaging 20.5 points per game and their defense was allowing an average of 19.1 points per game. Their offense was also averaging 313 yards per game and their defense was allowing an average of 344.2 yards per game. Baker Mayfield led the team in passing yards with 4044, Rachaad White led the team in rushing yards with 990, and Mike Evans led the team in receiving yards with 1255.

The current betting odds have the Buccaneers listed as a 3.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Bucs finished last season with a 9-8 record overall and won the NFC South to make the playoffs. They lost their offensive coordinator who left to be the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, but they have pretty much returned the starting lineup on offense. Baker Mayfield is going to be looking to improve this season and grow in this offense now that he has found a home, but the defense was also really good last season too. The defense won them a lot of games and they are going to be just as good this year with Bowles calling the shots. Meanwhile, the Commanders finished last season with a 4-13 record overall and they were one of the worst teams in the NFL. Their offense wasn't great, but their defense was the big problem since they were allowing more than 30 points per game on average. They have completely changed things with their new ownership, hiring a new head coach Dan Quinn who did wonders with the Cowboys defense last season, and they also drafted Jayden Daniels to be their franchise quarterback. They are returning some key players on offense last season, but there is still going to be a big learning curve for Daniels in his rookie season. He has the ability to run which will help him in this offense, but the offensive line is still terrible and a big problem area. The defense will improve under Quinn this season, but they are going to need some time to improve with the changes he is implementing. The Bucs are already a well established team from last season that won their division and will be looking to improve even more this season. There are just too many changes and new pieces on this Washington team for them to come out with a really strong start. The best way to place a bet here is on the Buccaneers to cover the spread in this game. 

Commanders Buccaneers Prediction:  Our NFL Pick for Sunday, September 8, 2024 (4:25 pm ET start time) is Buccaneers 21 Commanders 10.

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Washington Commanders: 5-15 ATS in the first half of their last 20 games. 6-14 ATS in the first quarter of their last 20 games. 13-7 to the first half over in their last 20 games. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 14-8 ATS in their last 22 games. 15-7 ATS in the first half of their last 22 games. 9-3 ATS in the second quarter of their last 12 games. 

Washington Commanders:  D. Fowler (LB) Injured - Knee. M. Mariota (QB) Injured - Chest. D. Payne (DT) Injured - Back. T. Scott (T) Injured - Knee. C. Ferrell (DE) Injured - Knee. J. Newton (DT) Injured - Foot. B. Coleman (OT) Injured - Shoulder.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  J. Whitehead (SAF) Injured - Quadriceps. C. McLaughlin (K) Injured - Abdomen/Illness. E. Brown (DL) Injured - Ribs. J. Skule (T) Injured - Abdomen. J. Tryon-Shoyinka (OLB) Injured - Shoulder. K. Merriweather (SAF) Injured - Knee. L. Hall (DL) Injured - Foot. T. Palmer (WR) Injured - Concussion. S. Dennis (LB) Injured - Shoulder. Y. Diaby (OLB) Injured - Ankle. J. Hayes (DB) Injured - Hip. J. Russell (LB) Injured - Ribs. T. Funderburk (CB) Injured - Foot.

“What had once been good was no longer good enough… So, coming back for that second lap [in Dallas], I knew I wasn’t going to rinse and repeat. What were some things around the league and through college ball that could be different? The system that we put together will be similar to the one here, say, let’s collectively put together the Commanders’ offense and defense.” - Dan Quinn on getting another head coaching chance in Washington.

"Any time you face a dual-threat quarterback, it's going to be a problem. He can beat you with his legs or his arm. He was taken that high for a reason. He's very accurate, very calm in the pocket, has a good mastery of the offense from what we've seen … It's going to be tough trying to keep him in the pocket and trying to cover those guys." - Todd Bowles on Jayden Daniels coming into this season opener against the Commanders.

WR McLaurin, Terry 

WR McCaffrey, Luke 

WR Zaccheaus, Olamide

TE Ertz, Zach 

QB Daniels, Jayden

RB Robinson Jr., Brian 

WR Evans, Mike 

WR McMillan, Jalen 

WR Godwin, Chris 

TE Otton, Cade 

QB Mayfield, Baker

RB White, Rachaad 

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Coaches:

Washington Commanders: Dan Quinn (1st season)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Todd Bowles (3rd season)