After losing quarterback Kyler Murray to a season-ending injury during NFL Week 14, the Arizona Cardinals received more bad news. The team announced Wednesday that backup Colt McCoy will be sidelined for Week 16 after failing to clear the league’s concussion protocol. That leaves third-stringer Trace McSorley to handle the quarterback duties for the Cardinals against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night.
Buccaneers-Cardinals Betting Line Shifts With Trace McSorley News
Per DraftKings, Tampa Bay is currently a 7.5-point favorite on the road in Arizona. The Buccaneers opened as just 3-point favorites before injuries hit the Cardinals. The over/under has gone down from 42 to 39.5 points.
Sunday will be McSorley’s first NFL start, although he did see action during a stint with the Baltimore Ravens last season. Appearing in two games, McSorley completed just three passes for 90 yards and a touchdown. McSorley went 15-for-29 with 166 yards after replacing McCoy last Sunday. However, he threw two interceptions in the 24-15 loss to the Denver Broncos.
The Buccaneers (6-8) have suffered through their own injury issues during a trying season, with each week seemingly presenting a new and unique set of circumstances. In Week 15, the Buccaneers were cruising to a 17-3 halftime lead over the Cincinnati Bengals before a second half collapse ended in a 34-23 loss.
Luckily for the Buccaneers, the NFC South has proven to be the worst division in the NFL this season. The Buccaneers are still clinging to sole possession of first place despite their weak record.
Things aren’t so bleak statistically either, at least for the Buccaneers defense. Even after letting Joe Burrow and the Bengals to roll them in the second half, they still rank sixth in the NFL in passing yards allowed.
Look for Trace McSorley to continue to struggle against the Buccaneers in what should be a low-scoring Sunday Night Football prime time affair. Continue to check OddsShopper.com to monitor the Buccaneers-Cardinals betting line as the game approaches.
