Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Arizona Cardinals NFL Betting Pick Week 16 – December 25

This surely was not how Tom Brady thought his retirement tour would go. Alone at Christmas and on the road with a 6-8 Buccaneers team. Tampa was supposed to be much better here in 2022, but their offense has sputtered from the outset of the season.

The Bucs can clinch the division if they beat the Cardinals tomorrow and the Panthers next week. #GoBucs

— BucsTracker | Matthew (@bucs_tracker) December 24, 2022

The Bucs look lost with the ball right now, but perhaps playing a pedestrian Arizona defense can snap them out of their lengthy funk. Miraculously, though they enter Week 16 sitting at a 6-8 mark, they lead the NFC South and are still very much in the hunt for the automatic playoff position in this woeful division. The Saints and Panthers both winning yesterday has put even more pressure on the Bucs on what should be an intense Christmas evening for them.

For the Cardinals, they too entered this campaign with lofty goals. A new contract for Kyler Murray as the franchise QB has not paid dividends in the first season, as Murray is already out injured for the rest of the season. Trace McSorley will be under center on Sunday night, and the young play-caller has struggled in limited viewings thus far as a pro.

Kliff Kingsbury says QB Colt McCoy remains in concussion protocol and is OUT for the Arizona Cardinals against the Bucs. Trace McSorley set to make his career start against Tom Brady. pic.twitter.com/KuktFfuRS1

— Bo Brack (@BoBrack) December 21, 2022

Despite the lofty expectations, both teams will be keen on playing out the season with pride and emphasis, as jobs are very much on the line. And while this game does project to be an ‘ugly’ one, there’s still money to be had on Christmas Day! Can the Buccaneers finally play to their potential and seize control of a coveted playoff spot for Tom Brady? Or will the Cardinals play spoiler as big home underdogs? For further insight on this battle between struggling squads, continue reading on beneath the posted odds for a full matchup preview, trends, and the latest information to help you make an informed decision for Week 16’s Bucs vs. Cards Christmas night showdown!

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Arizona Cardinals Live Odds & Betting History

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Arizona Cardinals Prediction

With Kyler Murray injured, and Colt McCoy still in concussion protocol, the Cardinals will turn to their third-string QB in Trace McSorley under the primetime lights on Sunday night. McSorley has been abysmal in limited NFL action as a pro, and really this final spell of action should be his exit right out of the league. The former Penn State product is useful as a runner, but has limited pocket skills and a weak arm and accuracy.

Buccaneers rookie Cade Otton doing his best Gronk impression with the stiff arm to pick up some major YAC yards.

The tight end out of Washington has quietly been really impressive as a rookie. pic.twitter.com/qOCrc4bbCU

— Seven Rounds in Heaven (@7RoundsInHeaven) December 18, 2022

Tampa Bay’s defense has finally figured it out, and has gotten back to the way they were playing down the stretch last season. The Bucs secondary is once again healthy, and they’re a hard group to get big plays against. If Tampa Bay can load the box and beef up their defensive front, it’s hard to imagine the Cardinals having many first-downs and sustained drives.

For the Bucs, the issues stem from a confusing lack of success offensively. Despite all of their weapons, it has not clicked in 2022 for Tampa Bay. Last week, the Bucs jumped out to a hot start vs. CIncinnati, before their offensive chemistry washed up entirely in the second half, en route to another staggering loss for Brady and the Bucs. Turnovers have really hindered this offense of late, and the only encouraging factor to take from that, is that they’ve been fluky and wildly out of character for this crew.

The Arizona Cardinals not having any offensive players selected to Pro Bowl is a tough look given how much the team invested in that side of the football.

— Bo Brack (@BoBrack) December 22, 2022

Still, the Bucs showed progress in that game last week as a whole, and now take on one of the NFL’s worst defensive groups in Arizona. The Cards are injured within their secondary, and with defensive line absences – expect some more time and space for Brady in the pocket than usual. Look for Tampa Bay to take this game incredibly seriously after both the Saints and Panthers won last week. The division is on the line, and this offense has the potential to deliver success on Christmas night.

ESPN reports that some close to Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury wonder if he will step away after this season. https://t.co/xeBVCzRbK7

— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) December 23, 2022

Bucs vs. Cardinals Trends To Know:

• Tom Brady is 49-27 ATS off a loss
• Tom Brady is 22-16 ATS on Sunday Night Football.
  
• Buccaneers are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 games in Week 16.
  
• Cardinals are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games in December.

Though this spread has jumped through all of the key numbers in the lead-up to Christmas kick-off, it’s with good reason given how ineffective Arizona is likely to be with Trace McSorley as their quarterback. The Cardinals won’t move the chains and will struggle to even get first downs. Tampa Bay has struggled mightily and played well below expectations this year, but they’re healthier and improving, and know their margin for error is virtually zero from here on out. It’s too talented and proud of a group to squander these moments, and expect a business-like beating from the Bucs on Sunday evening.