The clash between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Commanders on Sunday night is not likely to feature this year’s Super Bowl winners but it could prove to be one of the most entertaining games of the weekend.
The Buccaneers won the NFC South with a 10-7 record to earn the third seed in the NFC thanks to the Rams’ defeat by the Seahawks in Week 18.
They will take on the Commanders, who finished second in the NFC East with a 12-5 record, at Raymond James Stadium for a place in the divisional playoffs (01:00 Sunday).
Tampa Bay have won their division for four successive seasons, but they have not got past the divisional round in the last three years.
They have become an entertaining team to watch in Baker Mayfield’s second season as their starting quarterback and have won six of their last seven games, although it’s worth noting that they have had a friendly schedule and only one of those wins came against a team who qualified for the playoffs.
The Commanders have been rejuvenated by the arrival of talented rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels this season and have qualified for the playoffs for only the second time in nine seasons.
Their last post-season appearance also came against the Bucs when they lost 31-23 at this stage following the 2020 season.
We’ve prepared a four-leg bet builder suggestion for the game that would pay out at 11/1 if successful.
GET £30 IN FREE BETS WITH TALKSPORT BET*
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Washington Commanders tips
- Over 50.5 points
- Over 0.5 Bucky Irving rushing touchdowns
- Over 49.5 Olamide Zaccheaus receiving yards
- Over 0.5 Baker Mayfield interceptions
- Bet Builder odds 11/1
Entertaining encounter expected
These teams met in the first week of the regular season, when Tampa Bay ran out winners by 37-20, and the offences of both teams should have plenty of success again.
Starting our bet builder with a leg on the game producing 51 or more points appeals with both teams looking vulnerable defensively.
The Buccaneers have scored at least 24 points in their last seven games and have failed to reach 20 only once all season.
Four of the Commanders’ last six games have generated 54 or more points and the teams rank fourth (Tampa Bay) and fifth (Washington) in the NFL for points scored this season.
Nothing lucky about Bucky’s success
The Buccaneers have a talented running back on their hands in Bucky Irving and the rookie has racked up 1,122 rushing yards in his first season in the NFL.
He has also scored eight rushing touchdowns, with five coming in his last eight games, and one of the blank days came when he left in the second quarter against the Raiders due to injury.
The Commanders are one of the league’s better defences against the pass but are susceptible on the ground so Irving, who has had 113 and 89 rushing yards in his last two games, is fancied to get on the scoresheet.
Zaccheaus playing a more prominent role
Olamide Zaccheaus has been a bit-part player for the Commanders for most of his first season with the team and had 50 receiving yards only once in his first 14 games for Dan Quinn’s team.
He has burst to prominence in the last three games, though, with returns of 70, 85 and 51 yards against the Eagles, Falcons and Cowboys and can extend that successful sequence.
Zaccheaus is a big-play specialist and his 51 yards against Dallas came from just two catches of 29 and 22 yards.
Mayfield still prone to mistakes
Baker Mayfield is on his fourth NFL team despite being drafted first overall in 2018, but he leads a prolific Tampa Bay offence and has thrown 41 touchdown passes this season.
Mistakes can still interrupt his flow at times, though, and he has also thrown 16 interceptions.
Mayfield has thrown at least one pass to the opposing team in five of his last six games and while the good has outweighed the bad this season, another pick would be no surprise against a talented Washington defence who intercepted Michael Penix Jr. and Kenny Pickett in two of their last three games.
GET £30 IN FREE BETS WITH TALKSPORT BET*
*18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10+ via mobile or app on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 3x £10 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
All odds correct at time of writing
talkSPORT BET Canada
talkSPORT BET is now live in Canada!
Following on from our success in the UK & Ireland, we have now launched in Canada.
All residents outside of Ontario can now sign up and bet with talkSPORT BET.
Bet $10 at odds of +100 and get triple your returns up to $300! – CLAIM HERE
T&Cs: 19+ New customers only. Opt in, bet max $10 on any sport single in 7 days, at odds +100 or greater. If it wins we Triple (x3) your returns, up to $300 in Free Bets, expires in 7 days. T&Cs apply, click for T&Cs. Responsiblegambling.org | Please gamble responsibly
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- GambleAware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.