Tampa Bay Buccaneers Large Favorite (-7.5+) Betting Trend

The Buccaneers' struggles as large favorites stem from a franchise culture historically built around volatility rather than dominance. Tampa Bay's offensive identity has long centered on high-risk, high-reward passing attacks that can explode against weaker opponents but also lead to momentum-shifting turnovers when pressing for blowout victories. This boom-or-bust mentality creates the perfect storm for letdown performances when expectations soar. The psychological component runs deeper than scheme. Tampa Bay has rarely sustained the type of organizational excellence that breeds consistent dominance. Even during successful seasons, the Bucs have shown a tendency to play to their competition's level rather than imposing their will. This manifests most clearly when facing inferior opponents where the margin for error feels comfortable - leading to sloppy execution, reduced intensity, and opponents hanging around longer than the spread suggests they should. The franchise's defensive inconsistencies compound these issues. Tampa Bay's defenses have historically struggled with discipline and focus, particularly against teams they're expected to handle easily. Missed assignments and blown coverages become magnified when the offense isn't clicking at full capacity. This trend matters most when Tampa Bay faces divisional opponents or teams with nothing to lose late in seasons, where desperation meets complacency.