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2011 NFL Preview: Buccaneers Super Bowl XLVI Betting Lines

Dave Schwab weighs in with his analysis and handicapping insight for the Buccaneers 2011 Super Bowl XLVI gambling lines, and futures betting. Plus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFC South Odds, NFC Championship breakdown and more…

Superbowl 46 Betting Online – 2011 Bucs Season Preview

The Raheem Morris era in Tampa Bay did not start out the way he envisioned it with a 3-13 record in his first season as head coach.

NFL 2011 Team Preview and Odds – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Odds to win the NFC South +450
Odds to win the NFC 16/1
Odds to win the Super Bowl 30/1
Win Total 8

However, he has got things going in the right direction now with a 10-win effort in 2010 behind a talented young quarterback and an opportunistic defense.

The challenge this season, will be taking the next step by getting this team back into the postseason.

Bucs Super Bowl Lines & Predictions

In order for this to happen, third-year quarterback Josh Freeman will need to keep developing as one of the brightest new talents in the league. After a baptism by fire as a rookie, he threw for 3,451 yards last year while completing 61.4 percent of his throws.

Even more impressive is his ratio of touchdowns to interceptions (25-6) which demonstrated some serious poise for a second-year QB.

Tampa Bay has also done a good job at surrounding Freeman with some solid talent at the skill positions. The running game will be led by LeGarrette Blount, who rushed for 1,007 yards last season as an undrafted rookie out of Oregon.

The receiving corps features the likes of Mike Williams and Kellen Winslow, who combined for 131 receptions for 1,694 yards in 2010. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

The Buccaneers’ defense was ranked 17th overall last year, but they created 27 turnovers and were tied for eighth in the league in interceptions. To add some depth, Morris used five of his first seven draft picks on defense including selecting defensive linemen Adrian Clayborn in the first round and Da’Quan Bowers late in the second round, which could end up being the biggest steal of the year.

These two will be counted on to improve a pass rush that only managed 26 sacks last season.

Tampa also re-signed DE Tim Crowder to further solidify the defensive line.

One thing that helped the Buccaneers win 10 games last year was a favorable schedule which will not be the case in 2011. They have the Colts and Texans on the slate from the AFC South and Chicago, Green Bay, and Dallas as a few of their non-division opponents from the NFC.

The overall talent on this team will keep it competitive all season long, but it looks like a small step backwards as Tampa will be unable to sneak up on anyone this year.

2011 Prediction: 8-8 and third in the NFC South

With NFL Training camps already starting Cappers Picks NFL Football handicappers have been hard at work putting out the team by team Football Predictions and NFL Season Previews for those of us who can’t wait.

Bet on the Super Bowl XLVI winner, plus 2011 Conference and Divisional winners today.

CHECK OUT OUR BEST NFL HANDICAPPERS FOR 2011 – click here now!

By Dave Schwab

David Schwab is a regular contributor to the Cappers Picks Blog. While not cheering for his beloved Philadelphia Eagles David can be found working on his blog at www.eaglesinc.com. David wants to hear from you so please comment below.