Buccaneers’ Super Bowl odds get big boost after landing Brady

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are suddenly among the Super Bowl favorites at BetAmerica, thanks to the addition of future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady. 

The Buccaneers haven’t made the playoffs since 2007, but a quarterback of Brady’s repute — even with questions about his age and whether he's at the top of his game — could change the fortunes of that franchise. 

Tampa Bay’s odds to win Super Bowl LV were +5000 at BetAmerica on Tuesday. Less than 24 hours after news leaked Brady would sign with the Buccaneers, those odds moved to +1600, which ties them with Brady’s former team, the New England Patriots.

Opportunity knocks in the NFC South

The New Orleans Saints have dominated the NFC South, with three consecutive first-place finishes, and it’s likely they will once again be the team to beat. 

The Buccaneers have pieces in place that make them an intriguing team to watch, starting with Brady leading the offense. The defense showed some encouraging signs last season, particularly stopping the run. 

Tampa Bay’s defense allowed only 73.8 yards rushing per game, far and away the best average in the league. Where it struggled was defending the pass. 

Staunch defense isn’t exactly a staple of the NFC South. New Orleans was the best of the group — which includes the Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, and Carolina Panthers — but even the Saints are susceptible to giving up points. 

If the Buccaneers are able to shore up their secondary, their defense could experience a sizable improvement, and that would allow Brady and the offense more time to operate.

After leaving a dynasty in New England, there’s no chance Brady would sign with just any team, if he didn’t like the direction it was heading in, on both sides of the ball. 

Brady has exciting group of receivers to work with

The Patriots offense faded last season. Beyond the reliable Julian Edelman, Brady just didn’t have the weapons necessary. 

He should have that in Tampa Bay. 

The Buccaneers had two receivers among the top 15 in the NFL for receiving yards last season. Mike Evans went over 1,000 yards receiving for the sixth straight year, and Chris Godwin took a major step toward becoming an elite receiver. Godwin caught 86 passes for 1,333 yards and nine touchdowns.

The biggest question is at tight end. No one will deny the talent of O.J. Howard. He’s a big target, at 6-foot-6 and 251 pounds, and he put together promising rookie and sophomore seasons, in which he had 11 total touchdowns. But 2019, his third year in the league, was a disappointment (one touchdown and 459 yards receiving).

Brady had amazing chemistry with Rob Gronkowski in New England. Anyone betting on the Buccaneers could benefit greatly if Brady replicates that with Howard in Tampa Bay.

Change is coming in New England

The Patriots’ Super Bowl odds have shifted to +1600, which is still fairly high up the board, given the exodus of key players. 

The challenge will now be to find a new quarterback. 

Is Jarrett Stidham the answer? A rookie in 2019, Stidham attempted four passes. He completed two of them and was interception off once.

Does New England make a trade for someone like Cam Newton or Andy Dalton? 

Or do they shift their focus to the draft and rebuild their offense around a rookie QB out of the first round? Could they potentially make a massive trade to move up in the selection order and take someone like Tua Tagovailoa? 

There are more questions than answers right now in New England. 

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