The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have officially etched their name into the NFL record books, but not in a way any team wants. They’ve now lost their 12th consecutive game against the spread, setting a new league record for betting futility in the Super Bowl era. This is a cold streak that just keeps getting colder.
Another Week, Another ATS Heartbreak
Sunday’s Week 3 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings was just another punch to the gut for Bucs bettors. Tampa Bay closed as a small home underdog, yet still managed to fall 23-16. What makes it sting even more? The Vikings hardly lit it up offensively, generating only nine first downs and converting a measly 2-of-15 on third down, with just one offensive touchdown all game. Still, it wasn’t enough for the Bucs to cover. To make matters worse, quarterback Baker Mayfield went down with a thumb injury in the fourth quarter. The team is now 2-10 in their last 12 games dating back to last season, but the ATS record is the real head-scratcher.
The Record Nobody Wanted to Break
This 12-game skid against the spread officially surpasses the 11-game mark of futility set by the 1983-84 Houston Oilers. Think about that, the Super Bowl era. Tampa Bay has failed to cover in every possible scenario during this streak: four games as an underdog, seven games at home, and even two as a road favorite. It’s a testament to how wild this streak has been. Their last ATS win? That was way back in Week 8 of last season on October 26, 2025, when they beat New Orleans 23-3 as a 3.5-point road favorite. It feels like a lifetime ago.
Now, with Mayfield likely sidelined, rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels is slated to get the start for the Bucs. They’ve already opened as a 3-point home underdog against the Green Bay Packers. Can Daniels change the narrative for a team that can’t seem to get out of its own way when it comes to the spread, or will this record-setting futility continue to spiral? This next game is going to be a huge test for a team searching for any kind of positive momentum.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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