Week 8 Preview: Buccaneers vs. Saints – Game Notes, Five Keys to Victory

Date: 10/31

Time: 4:25 p.m. EST

Location: Caesar’s Superdome – New Orleans, Louisiana

TV: FOX

Game Notes

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers haven’t won the NFC South since 2007. Winning the division is now the only way to get a bye in the playoffs. So, that seems to be Tampa Bay’s biggest priority right now which makes this their biggest game of the year so far when it comes to importance.

The Bucs will be facing their former starting quarterback, Jameis Winston. Winston is a new-look quarterback in New Orleans as opposed to what he was in Tampa Bay.

The Saints defense may have improved from last season, but Tampa Bay’s offense has consistently been putting up 400+ yards and 30+ points. Yet, this will be Tampa Bay’s biggest test of the year thus far.

The Buccaneers have a bye next week; that makes it even more crucial to win this game against New Orleans. The difference between a win versus a loss is roughly a three-game lead versus a half-game lead in the division.

Tight End Rob Gronkowski had light practice this week and is questionable to return Sunday. That would be a huge return for the offense as Antonio Brown is likely out again (he did not practice this week).

The Bucs lead the NFL in passing and are third in scoring (33.3 points per game). The Saints rank third in scoring defense (16.3 points per game).

The Bucs are off to their best start in franchise history and have won 14 of their last 15 games.

DT David Onyemata returns for the Saints from a six-game suspension and has apparently stayed in great shape. He could be a factor in this game.

Five Keys to Beat Saints

Shutdown Alvin Kamara

Alvin Kamara is the Saints most important and most well-known playmaker but you can’t ignore Mark Ingram either. Both running backs have a nice one-two punch on the ground but you always have to look out for Kamara getting involved in the passing game as well.

Win the Turnover Battle

Last year in the three meetings between the Buccaneers and Saints, the team who turned the ball over the least won. I imagine that continues this weekend.

Find Success with the Run Game

New Orleans consistently has one of the best run defenses in the league. Breaking that down can really open up the rest of the field for the Bucs. The Saints have a good secondary as well, so moving the ball on the ground would make things easier for Tom Brady’s air attack.

Get Pressure on Winston

Jameis Winston certainly has a chip on his shoulder and you know he’ll be heavily motivated to have one of the best games of his career this Sunday. With some injuries on the Saints O-line, the Bucs need to take advantage of that or Winston will throw all over them.

Get an Early Lead

It’s going to be a very tough, hostile environment at the Caesars Superdome on Sunday. That means that Tampa Bay needs to play well from the get-go, recording an early lead.