NFL Betting: New England at Tampa Bay

NFL / Andy Richmond / 23 October 2009 / Leave a comment

NFL expert Andy Richmond expects The Bucs defence to suffer against Brady's bunch.

"Brady has so many options on offence it’s hard to recommend a definitive target but WR Wes Welker and RB Laurence Maroney will be worth an interest in the various player markets, especially the one to score the first touchdown."

Coming off one of the most dominating performances in NFL history, the New England Patriots hope to show the fans at London's Wembley Stadium on Sunday some of the league's best football. Their opponent, however, has been playing some of the worst. Tom Brady threw for five touchdowns in the second quarter as the Patriots leveled the Titans, 59-0.The Buccaneers were unable to hold off the Panthers in a 28-21 loss.

Tom Brady hopes to lead the Patriots to another decisive victory over a winless opponent as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carry a 10-game losing streak across the Atlantic Ocean for the NFL's third annual London game. Coming off major knee surgery, Brady hadn't been his typically sharp self through the season's first five games, but he finally showed his MVP form in the Foxboro snow last Sunday.

It would seem to be impossible for Brady to top his 380-yard, six-touchdown performance in slightly more than a half of action, but if there is a team that he would be able to surpass the feat against, it would be the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay have given up the league's third-most passing touchdowns (13) and is allowing opposing quarterbacks a 101.0 passer rating this season. If they repeat those numbers here then they are in real trouble on Sunday and conditions could play a real part in determining the final score and it would be a major surprise if the Patriots don't win this one, although with both teams travelling for this one I would be wary of taking on the large handicaps the Patriots have to overcome - especially as neither of these two have won a game when travelling this season.

In each of the first two International Series games in London, it was rainy and the pitch was less than pristine, we'll see if conditions improve this year. Should there be similar conditions this year, the Patriots would seem to be the benefactors as they play under such conditions often in New England - they had snow last week, while the Buccaneers are used to playing in the Florida sunshine.

The Bucs have problems defending the pass. Tom Brady will have a field day here in front of the London crowd, and Bucs QB Josh Johnson won't be able to handle the Patriots defences. Brady has so many options on offence it's hard to recommend a definitive target but WR Wes Welker and RB Laurence Maroney will be worth an interest in the various player markets, especially the one to score the first touchdown.

The Buccaneers fans will be glad this game was moved to London.

RECOMMENDATION: Over 29.5 New England points - 1pt at [1.85] or better

Tags: Josh Johnson, Laurence Maroney., New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tom Brady, Wes Welker