Bucs March Into Dangerous Big Easy

You know the NFL calendar has turned serious when the Buccaneers take on the Saints.

This has to be the Bucs’ biggest rivalry.

Sure ..they’ve had some big showdowns with Green Bay and Chicago.  Yet, now that both teams are in the NFC South, the Buccaneers have taken special pleasure in beating New Orleans.

The Bucs’ first win in franchise history was over the Saints.   It ended the Bucs’ 0-26 start.

Ask Mike Evans.  We’ve all seen his battles in recent years with Saints defensive back Marshawn Lattimore.  It’s bordered on a mob hit.  The two exchange punches every time they play.  It seems both care more about the fighting than the game’s outcome.  Both have received several penalties in this matchup.

The Bucs’ first win in franchise history was over the Saints.  That 33-14 win ended the Bucs 0-26 start.

This week ..the Bucs trail Atlanta in the NFC South.  Both are 3-2, but the Bucs stumbled last week in overtime in Atlanta 36-30.

Here’s what we know about the Buccaneers.

Baker Mayfield is loving life in Tampa Bay.  He is second in the NFL with 11 touchdown passes in 11 games.  He’s passed for 1,164 yards, which is among the top ten in the NFL.  And Mayfield’s 71% passing percentage is in the league’s top five.

Add in huge stats for Evans and Chris Godwin and all the attention goes to the Buccaneer offense.

In reality, last week’s loss in Atlanta brings everything full circle. The Buccaneers showed they can score 30 points and still lose.

How many times have we seen the Buccaneer offense take a lead late in the game only to turn it over to the defense and get bounced??

The 30-27 loss to the Rams in the NFC playoffs that ended Tom Brady’s time in Tampa Bay, still sticks out.

Last week in Atlanta, the Buccaneer defense gave up the typing field goal and the winning touchdown in overtime.  It’s enough to put the head coach and defensive coordinator in the crosshairs.  Good thing it’s one person.  Todd Bowles.

The Bucs have had some impressive wins over the Redskins, Lions, and Eagles only to fall flat against the Broncos and Falcons.  To come out that flat at this level is squarely on the head coach.

The Saints lead the overall series 41-24.  They’ve dropped three straight after impressive wins over Carolina and Dallas to open the season.  Plus, the Saints are down to rookie Spencer Rattler at quarterback. Derek Carr is out with oblique issues.

Don’t let that fool you. Dennis Allen’s defense always makes life miserable for the Buccaneers.  And Allen is fighting for his job this season.  The Saints would love to make this week even more uncomfortable for the Buccaneers.

Written by NSPN – Champa Bay TV | 3× Emmy Award Winning Senior Analyst Al Keck