Until now, it’s long been an unanswered question. Was Tom Brady or Bill Belichick more responsible for New England’s six Super Bowl successes? More importantly, MyBookie NFL betting enthusiasts, how far can the legendary Brady lead his new team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as we get set for the upcoming 2020 campaign? Let’s take a closer look at them so you can bet against their NFL odds.
How far can Tom Brady lead Bucs? – 2020 NFL Betting Analysis
To find an answer to that second question in particular, let’s delve inside Brady’s career numbers, his recent on-field play and the Bucs’ 2020 schedule right now. For his career, Brady has completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 74,571 yards with 541 touchdowns and 179 interceptions. Last season, Brady passed for 4,057 yards with 24 TD passes and a modest eight interceptions. However, Brady completed just 60.8 percent of his passes to record his first season since 2013 of completing less than 64.1 percent of his passes. Brady also averaged just 6.6 yards per attempt which was his lowest figure since his third season way back in 2002.
While many NFL experts might want to point to the fact that the New England Patriots was basically bereft of any decent talent at the wide receiver position, the fact of the matter is that, to me, the time and tested eye-test tells me Brady clearly took a step backwards as he looked a step slow, both on the field and with his decision-making on far too many occasions. Brady inherits a Tampa Bay squad that went a decent 7-9 in Year 1 under head coach Bruce Arians. The good news is that Brady has a ton of talent at the receiver and tight end positions in wide receivers Chris Godwin (1,333 yards, 9 Tds), Mike Evans (1,157 yards, 8 TDs), tight end O.J. Howard and now, unretired former Patriots battery-mate Rob Gronkowski. Young running back Ronald Jones II rushed for an impressive 724 yards and six scores while adding 309 receiving yards. The Bucs averaged a stellar 28.6 points per game to rank fourth in scoring and that was with former quarterback Jameis Winston giving away interceptions like they were Halloween candy.
On defense, the Bucs finished 15th overall, but it was their powerful run defense that helped them achieve that modest ranking. Tampa Bay finished a stupendous first against the run a year ago, but that may have been because they finished a dismal 30th against the pass by allowing 270.1 passing yards per game. The end result was that the Bucs finished 29th in points allowed (28.1 ppg) and no matter how good Brady is in his inaugural season with the Bucs, Tampa Bay’s defense needs to improve.
The Bucs did add veteran interior defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh in free agency while bringing back outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul and placing their franchise tag on linebacker Shaquil Barrett. Tampa Bay also got the protection they’ll need for Brady in tackle Tristan Wirfs with the 13th overall pick while signing Minnesota linebacker Antoine Winfield Jr. in the second round. Still, I’m not sure the Bucs did enough to improve their pass defense to be honest about it, though their run defense looks stout again.
Tampa Bay opens on the road at New Orleans and I’ve got Drew Brees and company getting the win. A home win over Carolina awaits in Week 2, though, beating Denver on the road in Week 3 is no lock and neither is their Week 4 hoe date against the Chargers. A road win over what should be an improved Chicago Bears team also looks iffy, especially seeing as how new Bears quarterback Nick Foles beat Brady – in the Super Bowl – the last time they squared off. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers visit in Week 6 (win) before the Bucs head to Vegas for their Week 7 date against the Raiders (win). A road date against the Giants looks like an easy win, but a home date against the Saints looks questionable, seeing as how New Orleans will be one of the top Super Bowl contenders this coming season. The Bucs should sweep Carolina when they hit the road to take on the Panthers in Week 10, but ensuing home games against the visiting Rams, Chiefs and Vikings in Weeks 11, 12 and 13 look like a potential 1-2 stretch. A Week 14 road date at Atlanta looks like a loss waiting to happen, but a Week 15 road date at Detroit looks like a lock win and Tampa Bay’s regular season finale at home against the Falcons should result in a split. While Brady and the Bucs are being labeled as one of the top Super Bowl contenders in the NFC, I think a 10-win season or 11 at best, followed by a one-and-done playoff appearance, is more in line as the likes of the Saints, Niners and Seahawks, at the very least, surpass what the Bus will pull off in 2020.
I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?
Bet NFL Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game
NFL Betting Center
NFL Odds and Lines
NFL Game Lines |
NFL Playoff Odds |
Super Bowl Odds |
AFC Champion Odds |
NFC Champion Odds |
NFL Must-Know
Weeks Action |
All Team's Playoffs |
Super Bowl Rematches Postseason History |
Latest NFL Betting Predictions:
- Thursday Night Football Advice: Rams vs. 49ers Week 15 Game Preview
- NFL ATS Week 15 Betting Picks: Expert Bets to Watch in Crucial Matchups
- 2024 NFL Week 15 Picks for the Quarterback Matchups
- NFL First Half Lines Week 15: Betting on the Best First Half Picks
- Cincinnati at Dallas MNF Lines, 2024 NFL Expert Analysis, Week 14 – Rush vs. Burrow QB Matchup
- Get Your Sunday Night Football Advice: Chargers vs. Chiefs Week 14 Betting Preview