We head into the bulk of Week 9 as the New Orleans Saints take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium, 8:20 pm on Sunday. This will be their second meeting of the season. In week One the saints beat the Bucs 34 to 23 in Brady’s first game in a Bucs uniform. However, since then lots has changed. The Saints are coming off their fourth straight win in which they beat the Bears in OT. The Bucs are also on a winning streak coming off their third straight victory over the giants. This game will most likely determine this division as the season is half way over, and this is the last meeting between the two teams. However, that may also be false as there are many injuries to both teams and questionables.
Injuries
Among those questionable and cleared to play we have Chris Godwin. Godwin is expected to play Sunday according to Coach Arians. Godwin suffered an injury to his index finger on October 25th and had surgery on the 27th. This should be a big factor in this game as the Bucs barely beat the Giants without Godwin. For the Saints, Brees, Thomas, and Kamara are all presumably going to play Sunday. However, they are all coming in as questionable. Keep in mind, Thomas has not played since Week 1 due to an ankle injury. Thomas could be the difference in this Sunday night showdown, especially since he has been the best wide receiver in the NFL, these last few seasons.
Antonio Brown
Antonio Brown last played a game with the NFL back in September of last year with the Patriots. From March of 2019 to September of 2019, Brown was traded by the Steelers to the Raiders, and then was released before he even played a game. Then Signed by the pats and dropped after playing just one game. None of this had to do with his play but rather his off the field actions, and bad interactions with coaches and personnel. Fast forward to today and Brown is about to play his first game with the Bucs as he is reunited with Brady. It’s ironic because the last game Brown played on the Steelers was also against the Saints. Expect Brown to get a few targets, a touchdown, and maybe 70 to 10o yards. The Bucs are going to try to work him into the system slowly. They don’t want to him to destroy their team. It’s clear Arians didn’t want him on the team but Brady felt the need for an extra weapon so here we are now.
Author’s Prediction
The Bucs will dominate. It’s as simple as that. With a defense that has given up 23 points or less in the last 4 games each. They should and will do the same against the Saints. With Godwin back and Antonio Brown playing, the Bucs offense will play a great game. The only way the Saints would have the slightest chance is if the defense can make big stops. It wasn’t pretty last week for the Giants D, but on lots of drives they stopped the Bucs offense right in Their tracks. The Saints would also need Kamara to get hot again and for Thomas to play well as he comes back.
Final Score: Buccaneers 45 Saints 24