In a game that could ultimately decide the NFC South Division, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers look to win their fourth straight game and seventh overall this season when they host the 5-2 New Orleans Saints, a team that is looking for its fifth straight victory. After a narrow 25-23 win over the New York Giants in Week 8, Tom Brady and the Buccaneers will have a chance to get back at one of just two teams that has managed to defeat them so far. In their season opener in September, the team stumbled in Brady’s first game for Tampa Bay, with the Saints taking a 34-23 victory.
But after struggling to find their footing early in the season, the Buccaneers have hit their stride, with Brady leading an offense that is firing on all cylinders and a defense that ranks among the best in the NFL. In Tampa Bay’s last six games, the 43-year old quarterback has completed 158 of 237 passes for a 66.7% completion percentage, with 17 touchdowns and just one interception for a 110.3 quarterback rating. Like their division rivals, the Saints have also found their groove after a 1-2 start, winning four straight, with all wins coming by six points or less, including two overtime victories over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 5 and the Chicago Bears in Week 8.
After beating the Giants on Monday Night Football, the Bucs will make their first appearance on Sunday Night Football in four seasons, giving the team a chance to prove they are one of the best teams in the league before a national audience. Here are four predictions when Brady and the Buccaneers host Brees and the Saints at the Raymond James Stadium, where they have been undefeated so far:
1. Tom Brady outduels Drew Brees and has three touchdowns
The first game between the two teams went to Brees and the Saints, but the two quarterbacks were far from their usual selves, with Brees having just 160 passing yards and Brady having two interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown, to go with his two touchdown passes. But the 6-time Super Bowl champion has looked more comfortable with the Buccaneers’ offense since and will look to win another matchup against the Saints’ 41-year old signal-caller.
Aside from another meeting between two of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, the game also gives Brady and Brees the chance to rewrite the record books and break the league record for most career touchdown passes. Brady currently leads Brees by the slimmest of margins, 561-560, and a thrilling, high-scoring game would mean that the record would switch back and forth between the two quarterbacks.
New Orleans may have a longer winning streak heading into the game. but Tampa Bay has been playing better as of late, the squeaker against the Giants notwithstanding. Brady will likely remain red-hot against a Saints defense that has allowed an average of 237.9 passing yards in its first seven games, which ranks 17th in the NFL. With the Buccaneers’ offensive line giving him good protection, Brady should outperform Brees and the Saints offense on national TV.
2. Antonio Brown has a solid performance in his first game for the Buccaneers
Aside from another duel between Brady and Brees, the Saints-Buccaneers SNF clash also features the return of top receiver Michael Thomas from injury for New Orleans and the first game of wide receiver Antonio Brown with Tampa Bay after being signed a couple of weeks ago. The 32-year old Brown has not played in the league since a one-game stint with the New England Patriots last season, where he caught four passes for 56 receiving yards and a touchdown while adding five rushing yards in a 43-0 win over the Miami Dolphins.
With Brown being out of action for more than a year, it’s unclear if the Buccaneers will get the immensely talented receiver that made the Pro Bowl seven times and was a four-time First Team All-Pro while with the Pittsburgh Steelers or the one that was plagued with off-the-field issues during his time with the Raiders and Patriots. But with his former teammate in Brady having other options in an offense that is clicking, Brown doesn’t need to be that player.
The quarterback and receiver’s experience playing together in New England should help Brown ease into his new role, especially since Brown is joining an offense that is already humming thanks to receivers like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Scotty Miller, and tight end Rob Gronkowski. It’s unclear how big of a role Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians will let Brown play in his Buccaneers debut, but his previous experience playing with Brady should help him have a solid first game for Tampa Bay.
3. The Buccaneers' defense does well against Alvin Kamara
With Thomas playing in just one game for the Saints, the team has relied more on running back Alvin Kamara, and the three-time Pro Bowler has responded by playing his best season in New Orleans. Through seven games, the 25-year old Kamara has 87 carries for 431 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns, while adding 55 receptions and 556 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. At this rate, the former Offensive Rookie of the Year is on track to break the season records for catches and receiving yards by a running back.
The return of Thomas and another wide receiver in Emmanuel Sanders against Tampa Bay, however, could mean that the Saints offense will rely less on the running back. However, facing a Buccaneers defense that ranks among the league’s best could also mean a sub-par outing for the former Tennessee Volunteer. Tampa Bay in particular has excelled at stopping the run, allowing an average of just 70.4 rushing yards per game and 563 rushing yards overall in their first eight games, which ranks first and second in the NFL.
Against the Buccaneers' linebacker tandem of Devin White and Lavonte David, Kamara could have a more difficult time than in the Saints’ past games against more porous defenses. In the team’s previous meeting in Week 1, Kamara scored two touchdowns, but was limited to just 16 rushing yards on 12 carries, though he did have 51 receiving yards on five receptions for a season-low 67 yards from scrimmage, far from his average of 153.3 yards in the Saints’ succeeding games. Though it’s a tough ask to stop the talented running back, the Buccaneers defense should be able to limit his impact for New Orleans.
4. Tampa Bay wins a thriller and moves to 7-2
Though the Buccaneers have a much-improved offense and defense against the Saints, the game should still be a close one, with both teams playing their best knowing that the fate of the division could rest on the game’s outcome. With Thomas and Sanders back on the field, the New Orleans offense could be up to the task of matching Brady and Tampa Bay, while their defense is capable of putting stops, as proven in their nail-biting victories.
But after a slow start, the Buccaneers have worked hard to get to the top of the division, and know that a loss not only means a sweep at the hands of their division rival, but also losing out on the opportunity to get a firm hold on the NFC South. The game will be a back and forth affair, and could possibly be the best game of Week 9, but the Buccaneers should emerge with a close win and move up to 7-2 and solidify their place atop the division and as a true contender.
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