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Two teams looking to keep their playoff hopes alive heading into the final third of the NFL regular season meet in Indianapolis on Week 12 Sunday. The 4-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ strong start to the season has long since evaporated, while the Colts are currently also on the outside looking in with a 5-5 record.

Below, we outline some picks for the game along with the best way to bet using our bonus codes.

NFL Week 12 Buccaneers vs. Colts odds preview

Both these teams begin this week outside the playoff spots, meaning there’s plenty to play for Sunday lunchtime in Indy.

The Bucs started this season 3-1, looking like a genuine contender in the NFC South. Since then, they’ve won just once and lost five times to slip to third in the division. Despite dropping five of six, the top spot in the worst division in the league this year is still within Tampa Bay’s grasp, but only if they can find serious improvement fast.

Their most recent defeat on the road at the San Francisco 49ers was not only damaging to their postseason hopes but bruising, too. Lavonte David, Carlton Davis, Jamel Dean, Chris Godwin, Devin White, and Tristan Wirfs all suffered injuries in the game, with David, White, and Dean not practising for most of the week.

The Colts, meanwhile, are also third in the AFC South with a 5-5 record. Like Tampa, Indianapolis is currently outside of the playoff spots but unlike the Bucs, they enter this game both rested after a bye week and with form on their side, coming off consecutive wins against the Panthers and Patriots. Those two Ws snapped a three-game losing skid.

Indy hasn’t been over .500 for the first time since early October. A win here would do it and could also catapult the Colts into one of the AFC’s wildcard spots.

Kickoff at Lucas Oil Stadium is at noon CT live on CBS. The Colts are 2.5-point home favorites.

NFL Week 12 Buccaneers vs. Colts best bet: Bucs +2.5 (-105 at BetMGM)

Home advantage and their two recent wins are swinging the odds in favour of the Colts here, but the Bucs have what it takes to defy the sportsbooks. The Bucs have been one of the better teams in the NFL against the spread with an impressive 7-3 ATS mark, including going 5-0 ATS in road games. Sure, several of those have been by very thin margins.

The Bucs tend to beat other bang-average teams and they do have some head-to-head advantages, particularly. Mike Evans is just 220 yards away from his tenth consecutive 1,000-yard season to start his career, which would extend his own NFL record. If Baker Mayfield can shine and hit Evans and Co. with accuracy, the Bucs could have a good day. A look at their moneyline at up to +120 may even be worth a shot.

NFL Week 12 Buccaneers vs. Colts player prop: Michael Pittman Jr. over 69.5 receiving yards (-120 or better)

On the flipside, the Colts have the weaponry against a dreadful Bucs pass defense. Tampa ranks 31st in passing yards allowed per game (270.7) and 30th in yards allowed per attempt (7.4), while until their low-scoring last game against the New England Patriots, the Colts were the only team in the NFL to have scored at least 20 points per game this season.

This all offers the potential for Michael Pittman Jr. to enjoy himself on Sunday. Pittman Jr. is averaging 67.7 yards and 6.6 receptions per game through 10 games but has eclipsed 80 receiving yards in three of his last five games. He’s a persistent target even when he falls below that number and he’s playing a weak and threadbare defense. The Bucs’ secondary has already allowed seven different receivers to hit over 100 yards this year, and Pittman’s total is set at a modest 69.5.

NFL Week 12 Buccaneers vs. Colts best bets: How to claim your sports betting bonus, best NFL promotions

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