Buccaneers to plunder glory in Florida derby

Sky Sports Action, from 6pm Sunday

Best match bet
Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay’s visit to Miami was postponed in Week One due to Hurricane Irma, forcing both teams to take an early bye and play for 16 straight weeks.

The Buccaneers at least appear to be heading in the right direction for the rescheduled game, having ended a losing streak by beating the Jets last week but Miami have had little time to recover from being stomped 45-21 by Carolina on Monday.

That hefty defeat made it 140 points conceded by the Dolphins in their last four games and the Bucs, with veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback have the weapons to join in the fun.

More importantly, Tampa Bay’s defence has shown signs of improvement and they should be in good spirits for the Florida derby.

The Bucs have lost all four of their road games this season and they only seem to be able to beat bad teams – their three wins have been against Chicago and both New York sides – but Miami have to be put in that category too.

Best totals bet
Over 23 LA Chargers points

With quarterback Philip Rivers passed fit and Buffalo seeming to be in a crisis, mostly of their own making, the Chargers might be a popular handicap bet this week but they are up there with Cleveland in terms of finding ways to beat themselves and finding a market that takes the match result out of the equation may be best.

Despite their 3-6 record, the Chargers haven’t done a lot wrong lately. They beat the Giants, Raiders and Broncos in successive weeks before a respectable 21-13 loss in New England and last week’s 20-17 overtime defeat to Jacksonville in a game neither side appeared to want to win.

The Bills represent a downgrade in class after those two contests and are a troubled team after being hammered 47-10 by New Orleans last week.

The Saints scored six rushing touchdowns and ran the ball on 24 consecutive plays in the second half.

The Chargers would be wise to follow that formula and unleash running backs Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler until the Bills find a way to stop them.

Buffalo are fielding rookie quarterback Nathan Peterman after mystifying opting to bench Tyrod Taylor, and the Chargers defence could add to a healthy points total.

Best player bet
J Maclin to score a touchdown

Baltimore wide receiver Jeremy Maclin looks to be back in form after a shoulder injury and posted 98 receiving yards at Tennessee last week.

He could be in for a decent day against Green Bay’s secondary and is a fair price to score a touchdown having scored three in seven starts.

Recommendations
Tampa Bay
1pt 20-23 Betway, BoyleSports
Over 23 LA Chargers points
1pt 17-20 Ladbrokes
J Maclin to score a TD
1pt 13-5 Betfair, Paddy Power

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