Buccaneers Stack Up As Sizable Underdog In Early Betting Odds For Week One

Tampa Bay is already an underdog in its season-opener against Minnesota despite being yet to play a preseason game.

Dustin Lewis | Jul 12, 2023

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are getting close to returning to the field with only a couple of weeks remaining until training camp kicks off. To this point of the offseason, the Buccaneers haven't received much respect around the league as they enter 2023 with the tall task of replacing future Hall of Fame quarterback, Tom Brady.

That has pundits skeptical that the team will be able to achieve a playoff berth for the fourth straight year. In fact, the Buccaneers are already stacking up as a sizable underdog in their season opener against the Minnesota Vikings despite being yet to play a preseason game.

According to early betting odds from DraftKings, Tampa Bay is currently listed as nearly a touchdown underdog (+6.5) in its Week One contest on the road in Minneapolis. The Over/Under is set at 45.5 and the Buccaneers are +225 on the money line.

The franchise has made plenty of changes across its front office, coaching staff, and roster throughout the last couple of months. Outside of Brady's retirement, the Buccaneers released players such as running back Leonard Fournette, offensive tackle Donovan Smith, and tight end Cam Brate.

At the same time, they brought in veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield to compete with former second-round pick Kyle Trask for the starting job. The Buccaneers also hired Dave Canales away from Seattle to take over as the team's offensive coordinator. Canales guided Geno Smith to the best season of his career in 2022 as he earned a Pro Bowl nod.

Minnesota will have a new look as well after moving on from a couple of franchise players. The Vikings cut Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook, veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks, and fan favorite Adam Thielen while trading Za'Darius Smith to Cleveland. Cook is one of the top free agents still available ahead of training camp.

The Vikings will return quarterback Kirk Cousins and a dangerous group of skill players that includes All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson and Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson. Under first-year head coach Kevin O'Connell, the team finished 13-4 but fell short in the opening round of the playoffs.

The Buccaneers and Vikings are scheduled to kick off their respective regular seasons on Sunday, September 10, at 1 p.m. EST.

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Published Jul 12, 2023

DUSTIN LEWIS

Lewis joined BucsGameday when it was founded in 2022. He's also the Editor-In-Chief of NoleGameday. A graduate of Florida State, Lewis has worked for NG since 2016.