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Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints picks, predictions: Who wins NFL Week 8 game?

Jeremy Cluff
Arizona Republic
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints play on Sunday in a Week 8 NFL game.

Which team will get the victory?

Check out these NFL Week 8 picks and predictions for the game, which can be seen at 1:25 p.m. MST time on Fox.

The Buccaneers are a 4.5-point favorite in the game.

More NFL Week 8 picks, predictions:

Pro Football Network: Buccaneers 30, Saints 20

Ben Rolfe writes: "Strange things tend to happen in the NFC South, but this should not be one of them. The Buccaneers have largely dismissed all who challenge them in 2021 — this should not be any different. The Saints’ secondary is a good unit, but their pass rush should not cause Tom Brady any issues. The only real question is whether Jameis Winston can make enough plays against his former team to make this interesting."

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Sportsnaut: Buccaneers 34, Saints 17

Andrew Buller-Russ writes: "Having Brady under center is an even bigger edge for the Bucs than it used to be against New Orleans now that Drew Brees is retired. Former Tampa Bay No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston will get the starting nod for the Saints, and his penchant for interceptions won't play well versus the Bucs, even at home."

CBS Sports: Buccaneers will cover vs. Saints in Week 8

Jordan Dajani writes: "This is one where you just sprinkle a little money on the favorite. I think everyone is still trying to figure out who the Saints are. On some weeks the offense looks anemic, and on others, Jameis Winston balls out. New Orleans gets Seattle on the road in prime time this week, and that one really could go either way. While the Saints have a good defense, Tom Brady is motivated to beat this team. Yes, he downed Sean Payton and Co. in the playoffs last year, but he was swept in the regular season. I'm fine taking one of the best teams in the NFL to cover four points against an inconsistent squad."

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Will Tom Brady lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a big win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 8 of the 2021 NFL season?

Bucs Wire: Buccaneers 27, Saints 23

Luke Easterling writes: "Speaking of having games circled on the calendar, this one is sure to get such treatment from both sides. The Saints will want to prove that last year’s playoff loss was a fluke, while the Bucs will want to show their division rivals that there’s a new king of the NFC South. I can’t think of many better ways to spend Halloween than in New Orleans, and despite the absence of Drew Brees, the Saints are sure to bring their best effort in front of one of the NFL’s most hostile home crowds. It’s easy to just point out that the Bucs should be better this year while the Saints could regress, but you throw the records out in a division rivalry like this. The Bucs are no paper tigers, but this will be a close one."

CBS Sports: Saints 24, Buccaneers 21

Jared Dubin writes: "The good times come to an end with a loss on the road to a division rival before the Bucs' bye week. The Bucs hold a 21-7 lead at the midway point of the third quarter but a surprise onside kick from Sean Payton helps New Orleans tie the game, and then win it in overtime despite not being the first team to possess the ball."

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Sportsnaut: Buccaneers 34, Saints 24

Matt Johnson writes: "The Saints and Buccaneers delivered some entertaining football games in 2020, that won’t be the case this year. Tampa Bay boasts superior talent at nearly every position and there’s no reason for the defending Super Bowl champs to lose their edge in a hostile environment. After this loss, it will become quite clear that the Saints need to rebuild."

FiveThirtyEight.com: Buccaneers have a 60% win probability

The site gives the Saints a 40% win probability in the NFL Week 8 game.

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2021-nfl-predictions/games/

ESPN: Buccaneers have a 62.5% chance to win

The site's Football Power Index gives the Saints a 37.2% chance to pick up the victory in the Week 8 NFL game.

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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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