Welcome back, folks. Today we’re going to preview this week’s game between the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I’m going to try and get short and to the point, since some outside circumstances prevented me from being able to get a full preview to you. With that being said, let’s jump right into it.

Sunday’s game marks the start of the 14th season with the Saints and Buccaneers squaring off as division rivals. It was 2002 when the NFL realigned the divisions to adjust to the expansion Houston Texans, which moved New Orleans and Tampa Bay in to newly formed NFC South. Since Sean Payton took over in 2006, the Saints are 11-5 against the Buccaneers, having won the past seven match-ups.

Saints Offense vs. Buccaneers Defense

Saints Team Offense

• Total offense: 408 yards (5th in NFL)
• Scoring: 19 points (22nd)
• Passing: 354 yards (3rd)
• Rushing: 54 yards (32nd)

Buccaneers Team Defense

• Total defense: 309 yards (12th in NFL)
• Scoring: 42 points (32nd)
• Passing: 185 yards (11th)
• Rushing: 124 yards (T-23rd)

With both teams seeing much different offenses and defenses than they did a week ago, I’d look for the Saints to have a lot more success running the ball and throwing the ball down field. Tampa Bay’s secondary is nowhere near as good as Arizona’s, so I’d expect a lot fewer screens and check downs. Drew Brees will likely take a few more down field shots to guys like Brandin Cooks and even Joe Morgan, who was just brought back to the team this week. The Buccaneers pass rush isn’t threatening by any means, so Brees should have no issue with time in the pocket. Ingram should have a much better chance to establish a rushing attack, which will help the offensive balance. C.J. Spiller was limited in practice all week and is questionable, so I’d expect him to be a game time decision. If he does play, the Saints will likely ease him in, so don’t expect too much right away.

Saints Defense vs. Buccaneers Offense

Saints Team Defense

• Total defense: 427 yards (29th in NFL)
• Scoring: 31 points (T-25th)
• Passing: 307 yards (27th)
• Rushing: 120 yards (22nd)

Buccaneers Team Offense

• Total offense: 273 yards (25th in NFL)
• Scoring: 14 points (T-25th)
• Passing: 181 yards (25th)
• Rushing: 92 yards (20th)

The Saints will face an offense that is actually somewhat similar to what they saw from the Cardinals last week. They have a running game that has the chance to be either good or bad, behind a shaky offensive line and an inconsistent running back who has shown signs of both brilliance and disappointment.

Tampa Bay has two very big, talented receivers in Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson. The one glaring difference is a big one, though. Rookie Jameis Winston is not Carson Palmer. Not yet, anyway. The #1 overall pick from four months ago struggled in his first NFL game, completing just 48.2% of his passes and finishing with a 64.0 QB rating. He did throw two touchdowns, but he also threw two interceptions, one of which was his first NFL pass and was brought back for a touchdown. He did not have Evans, who missed the first game with a hamstring injury. Evans was limited in practice all week, but said that he is 100% ready to go, despite his questionable tag.

The Saints defense struggled in all facets of their game last week, struggling to stop the pass, the run, while failing to create pressure on Palmer and being penalized multiple times. Fortunately, a game in the Superdome against a rookie QB making his first NFL road start is a much smaller challenge than what they faced in the season opener.

Keenan Lewis, Jairus Byrd, and Dannell Ellerbe all remain sidelined for this one, along with Rafael Bush who tore his pectoral muscle in the game against Arizona. New Orleans brought back veteran safety Kenny Phillips after he was cut following spending the entire preseason with the team, but he may end up starting at safety.

Doug Martin and the Buccaneer rushing attack isn’t too concerning, so Brandon Browner and Delvin Breaux are going to be the players to watch as they try to lock down Evans and Jackson. The best way to slow down an opposing team’s passing attack is pass rush, especially against a rookie quarterback. Rob Ryan neglected blitzing last week, but he may have to consider it in his game plan if the front four aren’t getting to Winston to force some pressure. If they can do that, they should be just fine. Winston has a track record dating back to his time at Florida State of making bad decisions when under pressure.

Prediction

The Saints are favored to win this one by ten points and I think that is about right. I see them covering, while the offense moves the ball with no issues and the defense shows some improvement. I hope you guys and girls enjoy the game, especially those of you who are going. As always, let me know what you think in the comments, and tune in for the post-game report!

Prediction: Saints – 31  Buccaneers – 17

Who Dat?!