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Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. N.Y. Jets Week 1 Betting Predictions & Preview

Bucs vs Jets NFL Handicapping

After enduring Tebow-mania last year, it didn’t seem like the New York Jets’ quarterback situation could get any crazier, but the competition between Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith has taken on a life of its own, and the Jets appear destined for another season mired in a quarterback controversy.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) at New York Jets (6-10)
Date: Sunday, September 8, 2013
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Venue: MetLife Stadium
City: East Rutherford, New Jersey
O/U Odds: 39.5
Spread: Tampa Bay -3
Money Line: Tampa Bay -165, New York +145
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As distracted as they often appear off the field, the Jets are well-coached, with head coach Rex Ryan’s defense perennially one of the better units in the league, an always competitive special teams unit, and an offense that can run the ball behind a physically imposing offensive line.

Geno Smith appears to have the Jets’ starting quarterback gig locked-up, at least for Week 1, but the team will lean on its running game to move the chains. Santonio Holmes appears to be in no hurry to return to the field to help bolster an already lackluster receiving corps, and with a rookie signal-caller under center, the Jets’ aerial attack won’t be setting any records in this one.

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Chris Ivory will be called on to make the offense go.

He’s looked great in a limited role with the Saints and will get his opportunity to be the man this year. He’ll run behind a strong offensive line that is one of the better run-blocking units in football. Mike Goodson was brought in to be the change of pace back, but his off-field transgressions have led to a suspension, so that role falls to Bilal Powell for now.

The Jet defense appears poised for a rebound this year. The unit unravelled last season when Darrelle Revis went down. They’ll be better prepared to play without him this year, especially with Dee Milliner having been brought in to provide help in the secondary. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

Year one under Greg Schiano was a good one for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Plucking Doug Martin out of the NFL Draft certainly didn’t hurt. Schiano’s offense revolved heavily around the Boise State product, and that trend should continue again this season.

Most of Martin’s production came after starting guards Davin Joseph and Carl Nicks went down, and he appears to be in position for an even bigger sophomore season with those two hulking lineman creating space for him, even if Oakland isn’t on the team’s schedule.

Josh Freeman took a big step forward in his development last season, and it’s no coincidence that Freeman’s improvements coincided with Vincent Jackson’s arrival in Tampa Bay. Jackson’s presence also helped Mike Williams re-gain the form he showed in his rookie campaign.

The Buccaneers’ run defense went from one of the worst units in football to one of the best last season, but that came at the expense of the team’s pass defense. Dashon Goldson and Revis have been brought in to help fix that problem, which could mean big things for the Tampa defense.

The Jets aren’t getting nearly enough respect in this one. All of their offseason drama has distracted bettors from the product on the field. Expect a tightly contested affair in which points are at a premium.

The under is 4-1 in the Jets’ last five games.

The play: Under 39.5

By Gino Bottero

Gino is new to CappersPicks.com but NOT new to the online gambling industry.He's got an AMAZING knack for discovering hidden gems when it comes to betting on sports. Stick with him as he predicts when a team will have a letdown! Check Gino out for NBA, NHL, NFL, and MLB betting articles all season long!