THE STORY: It has been a pretty successful season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are still in playoff contention in Week 17. The New Orleans Saints wrapped up at least a wild card spot with their 17-14 victory over Atlanta on Monday, so there’s one spot left for either Tampa Bay, Green Bay or the New York Giants. The Buccaneers need to win and have the Packers and Giants lose. A tall task, but who really thought they would be in this position? Tampa Bay could have controlled its own destiny if it didn’t lose to Detroit at home in Week 15.
TV: 1 p.m. EST, FOX
OPENING LINE: Saints -8, O/U 48
WEATHER: Dome.
ABOUT THE SAINTS (11-4): Realistically, New Orleans will be a wild card unless it wins and Carolina pulls the biggest upset of the season at Atlanta. The Saints have won seven of their last eight and will be dangerous in the playoffs. New Orleans is second in passing yards at 282.8 per game, but 27th rushing at 94.2 yards. Rookie Chris Ivory leads the team with 683 yards rushing, but is questionable with a hamstring injury. Monday’s victory – if nothing else – proved to New Orleans it can win at Atlanta, something it will probably get a chance to do again in the divisional playoffs in two weeks.
ABOUT THE BUCCANEERS (9-6): Tampa Bay gave itself another week of playoff life with a 38-15 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. The Buccaneers start 10 rookies, so while the 2010 postseason appears to be a long shot, the future is bright. Wide receiver Mike Williams leads NFL rookies in catches (61), yards (924) and touchdowns (10). The Buccaneers are sixth against the pass at 201.1 yards per game. On offense, Tampa Bay has the No. 7 rushing game with an average of 127.8 yards. Rookie LeGarrette Blount has 943 yards and six touchdowns and averages 5.2 yards per carry.
WHO'S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman tied a franchise record with five touchdown passes last week and has thrown at least one in 12 straight games. Blount rushed for 164 yards against Seattle. Buccaneers linebacker Geno Hayes had a career-high two sacks last week, but Tampa Bay has 23, second-lowest in the NFL. Saints wide receiver Robert Meachem had a career-high 10 catches against Atlanta. Saints rookie tight end Jimmy Graham has three touchdown catches in his last two games.
QUARTERBACKS: Freeman has enjoyed a breakthrough third season with 23 touchdowns and six interceptions and has clearly become someone Tampa Bay can build a playoff team around. He will face New Orleans’ No. 2 passing defense. The Saints’ Drew Brees is second in the NFL in touchdowns (32), interceptions (21) and completion percentage (68.7). Brees has thrown at least one touchdown pass in every game this season and at least one interception in his last 11 games.
RECENT HISTORY: The Saints defeated the Buccaneers 31-6 in Week 6 as Brees threw three touchdowns and rookie Chris Ivory rushed for 158 yards. The teams have alternated wins since 2008.
KEY INJURIES: Buccaneers: Questionable – T James Lee (ankle), WR Sammie Stroughter (hamstring), WR Arrelious Benn (knee), RB Earnest Graham (knee). Saints: Out – WR Courtney Roby (head); Questionable – TE David Thomas (knee), RB Chris Ivory (hamstring); Probable – WR Robert Meachem (lower body).
LAST WORD: The Packers and Giants are also playing early games, so Tampa Bay will be doing plenty of scoreboard watching. The Buccaneers should be at their best, but it is hard to imagine them getting the necessary help to make the playoffs.