SEASONAL SHIFT ???

The last time the Tampa Bay Buccaneers met the Saints in New Orleans, things were a lot different. It was November. The Bucs were 4-11 and the Saints were 10-5. The Bucs were coached by Greg Schiano.  Now, Tampa is headed by former Chicago Bears head coach, Lovie Smith. Both teams will enter Sunday’s game at 1-3, seated at the bottom two rungs of the NFC South ladder.

Tampa’s coming off their first win of the season in Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers and appear to be amped to get at the Saints. Many thought Smith would be the answer to Tampa’s troubles and be the right person to “right the ship.”

Maybe not this week. The stats are in favor of the home team.

The Saints on the other hand are looking to get back on track. Historically, the team is usually unstoppable at home in the month of October under Coach Sean Payton.  The last time the team struggled during October is in 2012 during Payton’s suspension in the bounty program. The penalties resulted in the dismissal of then defensive coordinator Greg Williams and a record of 7-9 and an early off-season. In 2013, the Saints went 2-1 in October with the inclusion of the bye week. That one loss came from the New England Patriots in Gillette Stadium.

The Saints and the Bucs have trouble on defense; especially against the pass. Neither seem to have the ability to be effective on third down. Both teams are allowing opposing offenses to convert nearly half of their third downs.  If the game were in Tampa, a “W” could go either way. But since the duel is in the Mercedes- Benz Superdome, this should be a blow-out win for the Saints. Here’s what the Saints need to do to secure a victory.

 

Keys to the Game:

Offense

Pump up the points: The team is still an offensive powerhouse but the NFL has the Saints listed as 17^th in scoring. The Saints need to find the end zone early in the game instead of trying to make an effort with third and fourth quarter heroics.

Balance Attack: Even if the Bucs are allowing teams to pass, set it up the big play with the run. Don’t be surprised if Sean Payton pulls a few tricks out of the old bag.

Possess the clock: Drew and the offense must chew up the clock keeping Bucs quarterback Mike Glennon and his targets off the field. Most importantly, keep his newly-famed receiver Louis Murphy on the sideline.

Defense

Make it, take it:  If the offense does their part scoring early and often (make it), then leave it up to the defense to strip, steal, and create turnovers (take it).

Be a HINDRANCE: Become a gnat. Pester the receivers by disrupting the concentration. Keenan Lewis stepped up in week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys in a losing effort. Make sure receivers know your presence. Force them to interfere with you.

 Game prediction: Saints 35-16
Season prediction: 11-5; trip deep into the post season; maybe a SB Championship.

Injuries

Saints

Armstead, Terron probable

Ball, Marcus  Hamstring  probable

Byrd, Jairus Out

Goodwin, Jonathan probable

Hawthorne, David  probable

Ingram, Mark Out

Lofton, Curtis ILB  probable

Lorig, Erik Out

Robinson, Patrick probable

Watson, Benjamin  probable

White, Corey probable

Buccaneers  

TAMPA BAY

Johnathan Banks Probable

Mark Barron Questionable

Larry English Out

Mike Evans Out

Mason Foster Questionable

Dashon Goldson Out

Michael Johnson Questionable

Josh McCown Questionable

Gerald McCoy Questionable

Austin Seferian-Jenkins Questionable

                                                                                                                  Cheers,
                                                                                                                SC

****please drink responsibly. Age 21 and older. Always choose a designated driver.