It’s week five and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to get above .500 when they enter the dome in Louisana. The Saints are looking to stay on track with Teddy Bridgewater at the helm. This game will solidify many thoughts for each team. So who comes out on top?
Saints Offense
With Teddy Bridgewater leading the team the stingy Buccaneers defense looks to handicap the run game. Currently, Alvin Kamara has yet to have a 100-yard rush game this season and shouldn’t be looking to earn one this week. So it’s on Bridgewater and the wide receivers to put this game away. Kamar will be utilized in much the same fashion we saw in week three when he had nine receptions on ten targets. Unfortunately for the Buccaneers, this Saints team has some phenomenal weapons at their disposal on offense.
The biggest threat, and whom I predict will have a huge game, Michael Thomas will exploit the weak secondary and should post over 100 yards receiving this week. The question is will it be enough.
Run and Gun
The Buccaneers offense improves week after week. Jameis Winston is notably getting more and more comfortable with each game under Bruce Arian’s offense. Winston’s passer rating and QBR have improved in each game this season. This week he looks to pick apart the ninth-worst secondary in yards per game.
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The run game should prosper this week With Ronald Jones leading the way. New Orlean’s defense allows an average of 112 yards a game on the ground. Once forgotten and quickly labeled a bust, Jones continues what is quietly becoming a solid season.
The Return
Devin White is back! The first-round linebacker will now have to be accounted for heavily. His sideline to sideline speed will come in huge targeting Kamara as he tries to bounce to the outside and get down filed. Being a full participant this week is a huge boost for the defense that already boasts the best-run defense.
White’s return also boosts someone else’s ability to play hide and go seek with the quarterback. Now Shaquil Barrett may not draw as much attention as he should due to the reappearance of White on the field. Teddy Bridgewater better be keeping his internal clock on minimal time to get rid of the ball because this game can get ugly quickly for him.
The Difference
This game is going to come down to the fact that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense can stop the run. The Saints will try to establish the run early and that plays right into the Buccaneers’ defensive strengths. If the defense holds and allows the offense to get ahead early then the Buccaneers can win this game.
The Prediction
After failing to establish the run the Saints will find themselves in a hole early. This game could be a shoot out like last week and at the final whistle, the results will be the same. Buccaneers win in the dome.
Buccaneers 31 Saints 21
