The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will visit the Philadelphia Eagles in the Week 6 edition of Thursday Night Football at 8:20 p.m. ET on the NFL Network.
While the Eagles are not an easy out, especially at home, they aren’t exactly the most polished team in the NFL either.
The same cannot be said about the Buccaneers. While the Buccaneers have holes, they are one of the league’s elite teams and can score points at will.
So far this year, Thursday Night Football has offered up five quality games. This week’s contest between the Buccaneers and Eagles could be our first clunker. On paper, the Buccaneers should dominate.
For in-depth analysis and extended betting tips for TNF Week 6, read on for the latest installment in the TNF football predictions series.
Thursday Night Football Prediction Week 6
If the Eagles are going to give themselves a legit chance to win on Thursday night, they must find a way to contain Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay offense. It will be a tough task.
The best way to slow down Brady is to get pressure, make him uncomfortable in the pocket and knock him out of rhythm. That will be easier said than done, as the Eagles are a middle-of-the-pack team so far in 2021 when it comes to sacking the quarterback.
Philadelphia’s defense has also had a hard time creating turnovers, but the unit had its most productive day of the season in Week 5 as Darius Slay intercepted Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold twice and Steven Nelson also recorded a pick.
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What the Eagles really do well, though, is move the ball. Entering Week 5, the Eagles’ offense ranked in the top 10 in total yards gained and right around average in points scored. Philadelphia’s offense goes as quarterback Jalen Hurts goes.
Hurts is getting the job done with both his arm and his rushing ability. However, outside of Hurts and rookie wide receiver DeVonta Smith, the Eagles are hurting for playmakers. They already have difficulty running the ball with Miles Sanders and Kenneth Gainwell and to make matters worst, the Buccaneers have one of the best run-stuffing defenses in the NFL.
Hurts will have to exercise his dual-threat skill set to keep up with Tampa Bay’s offense and keep the Eagles competitive on Thursday night. Smith will also have to take it to another level, which he is certainly capable of in a good matchup against one of the league’s worst secondaries.
On the Buccaneers’ side, the key to their victory is protecting Brady. They don’t give up a lot of sacks, and if the Tampa Bay front five keeps Brady upright, he should have an effortless time picking apart the Philadelphia secondary with his slew of pass-catching weapons.
Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown could be in line for another big game when Tampa Bay visits the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football in Week 6. (Image: USA TODAY Sports)
Once Brady gets his team to a lead, Leonard Fournette, who has re-emerged in recent weeks and is an underrated receiver out of the backfield, will begin to draw second-half carries to grind the clock. Yes, I am suggesting that the Buccaneers will enter the half with a comfortable lead on the road and never look back.
If this Buccaneers-Eagles matchup somehow turns into a shootout, I want to be on the side of the better team, with the better quarterback and the more talented roster from top-to-bottom.
Look for the Buccaneers to roll in Week 6 on Thursday Night Football.
TNF Week 6 Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 34, Philadelphia Eagles 21
Thursday Night Football Betting Trends for 2021
- The Over is 2-3, with the Under hitting in three straight.
- The Underdog is 2-3 Against the Spread.
- The Favorite is 5-0 on the Moneyline.
- The Home Team is 3-2.
*Anthony Cervino is 16-2 on his NFL Best Bets for 2021 for The Game Day.
Thursday Night Football Best Bets Week 6
*NFL gameday odds and lines are current as of Thursday, October 14 at 5 p.m. EST.
TNF Best Bet: Buccaneers -7 (+100) at Caesars
Wager: 1 Unit
The Buccaneers should dominate this game. Therefore, giving seven points to the Eagles, despite playing on the road, is a non-issue for me. If this line goes under seven points, grab it immediately. Otherwise, I would consider buying the half point to prevent a push just in case the Eagles can keep it close.
If you are like me and don’t think they can, though, then I would take this line even if it gets up to eight. I do think the Buccaneers will win by double-digits, I just don’t think I am willing to bet it that far out should it get there. But if you’re feeling confident and the odds are right, you could take an alternate spread for Tampa to win big.
TNF Best Bet: Over 52.5 (-110) at Caesars
Wager: 1 Unit
After two straight Overs to open the 2021 season on Thursday Night Football, we have witnessed three consecutive TNF games hit the Under. That streak will be snapped in Week 6.
The Buccaneers are one of the highest-scoring teams in the NFL and the Eagles can hold their own if Jalen Hurts is playing well. The fact that the Buccaneers’ secondary is absolutely atrocious helps the Over in this matchup as well.
In my score prediction for this game, I project a 55-point total. I am willing to bet the Over on the total up to 54.5.
TNF Best Bet: Buccaneers Moneyline (-300) at DraftKings
Wager: 1 Unit
Nothing is a guarantee in the NFL, but you will be hard-pressed to talk me out of calling the Buccaneers a lock to beat the Eagles on Thursday night. The odds agree. The Buccaneers should be able to pull this one out on the road.
Philadelphia is not an easy city to play in, but Brady has seen and heard it all. He won’t be phased. Neither will the Buccaneers.
The best way to play these large moneylines is to parlay them with another leg or two to heighten your odds and the overall payout. For instance, you could take the Buccaneers Moneyline and parlay it with the Over and a player prop or two.
Thanks for reading our NFL Week 6 TNF Predictions!
