Bucs/Vikes

Locked this in pretty much right out of the gate. Vikes, no Dalvin Cook, and they love to play close games. Bucs, no Tom Brady, Baker Mayfield? Yeah, but he has a good supporting cast. First game of the year, down to the wire just the way the Vikes like it. Believe Tampa and New Orleans will fight for the division. A game Tampa can steal. Gimme the points-

Bucs +6, -110

As always good luck to all!

@mrusso

 Nice writeup and BOL this year 

good luck mrusso  ive been following you for quite some time now, much respect for you I know you are from the Tampa area so perhaps a little biased Lol but I too think the Bucs are live dogs in this game. Vikes always play 1 possesion games and have a negative point differential a big reason why I faded them in the 1st round of the playoffs and made nice money in doing so. However, one thing that scares me is Brian Flores being appointed the DC of the Vikes. I think he will instantly improve their defense. on the other side of the coin the Bucs abysmal play last year seemed to be the result of 2 things: 1) a perpetually injured O-line and 2) an old, immobile QB and a lack of a running game two issues that were really glaring due to their O-line issues ... on paper I'm seeing a bunch of unfamiliar names except Tristan Wirfs on the Bucs oline... lets see how they fare tomorrow. 

Edit: remarkably PFF has the Bucs ranked as the 14th best O line in the game, however, that was under the assumption that Ryan Jensen would be playing center (hes on the IR). still, a high ranking all things considered

Vikings deserve the slander they were frauds last year. But few points to add based on write ups above. Vikings run game was non existent last year. Dalvin cook was terrible in all advance statistics. So they added Josh Oliver who I’m sure no one has any idea who he is. But he is the best run blocking TE and a low key big FA signing. Kevin Oconnell was also a rookie HC last year and this is the first time Kirk is in the same system for two years in a row as a Viking. Don’t forget drafting of Addison as well in the first round. Offensive talent is loaded, biggest question mark can the interior Oline hold up?

Defensively the addition of Flores is going to be huge as mentioned above. The DC last year was terrible played soft coverage every play. Going to be a total 180 this year as Flores will bring the heat. Another thing to add the Vikings biggest win of the year last year was week 1 at home bs the packers. I think this Vikings is flying under the radar this year based on last years performance and the losses of some aging veteran players who ppl think are big names still. I’d be shocked if Vikings don’t win by 7+

@BennyIcers

 Well said. The Bucs have done nothing here to improve from last year on offense(max effort from Evans tho, as he plays his last season in TB).  Mayfeild/Trask, you can have them.  Buc's D keeps this close for awhile.  Viks now have a fighting chance on D, and O will get their points.  See Viks getting at least 27, my models have them closer to 30. Bucs will be lucky to scratch 20.  Non-Div game for TB.  TAKE: Viks -5(-105 BM)

*Sleeper pick for Survivor pool!  Along with Balt, Wash, and Sea(hold ur nose w Pete tho...)

The Bucs R NOT GOOD!  Third best team in FL.

@mrusso

 You are my neighbor and love your insights into FL sports, especially here in tpa (and normally tail you!)  I just don't know what bucs team you have been watching this summer?  I do not see them being improved from last year.  Baker/Trask are NOT an upgrade from Tom(even if he was old).  Lastly, Bucs are getting A Lot of Love in here...

gl brother 

good luck mrusso, I like your thinking 

let's grab those money bags Russo  who do you have in your Survivor brother?

GK Mr. Russo..

GL today & this  season@mrusso

Bol this season

Gl m...you always seem to know your local teams well

@mrusso

 GL Paisan!!!…hope all is well!!!

Like the Bucs to cover today too! 
BOL this NFL season Mr. Russo 

Go Bills and silence this Jets hype tomorrow night! 

Spoken like a true Viking fan -- mrusso's pick was mostly predicated not on the Bucs being such a great team, but that 6 points is a lot for an average Vikings team to give, especially with such a porous defense...they did little to improve on their crappy defense from last year (in fact even lost a couple of their better performers). Bringing in a new coordinator could help, but you can't typically make bad players into a good unit

Congrats Bucs and Bucs backers, as we suspected they literally "stole" the win.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and some great input and thoughts, that's what it's all about...other than winning!

nice 

Great call 

@vankiep_0007

 Thx

@sportschat

 , hope all is well brutha'!

CONGRATS....WINNER      right on the money...thx post 

Hell ya

@mrusso

 saint aye...tmpa mayfield..yikes..maybe...phew breath nfl is back...hahah

All cousins does is throw hail Mary's to Jefferson ,same as last year