As far as Las Vegas oddsmakers are concerned, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in full rebuilding mode.
The over-under win total for the 2009 Bucs was just set at 6.5 by Las Vegas Sports Consultants (LVSC), a 27-year-old company that serves as an advisor for licensed Nevada casinos.
A year ago, Tampa Bay's over-under win total was pegged at 8.5.
The Bucs posted a second consecutive 9-7 record under Coach Jon Gruden, but an offseason overhaul, uncertainty at the quarterback position and a grueling schedule have combined to lower expectations.
"The Bucs seemed to peak a few years ago,'' Mike Seba, senior oddsmaker for LVSC, said Thursday. "The schedule's very difficult and they are basically rebuilding down in Tampa. You're not used to seeing the Buccaneers with such a low number, but the feeling here is that they are missing so many pieces.''
With Detroit coming off an 0-16 season, LVSC predicts four wins for the Lions.
The opening lines for Week 1 of the regular season are already out and the Buccaneers are listed as 3-point home underdogs to Tony Romo and the Cowboys.
"There used to be a lot of hype in Tampa when Gruden was there, but they have kind of gone downhill,'' Seba said. "And remember, the NFC South is one of the toughest divisions in football. They got old in some spots and now they are trying to rebuild.''
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