Buccaneers at Saints
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one of the few teams that managed to shut down the New Orleans Saints’ high-powered offense this season, and they hope to do it again on the road Saturday with both teams’ playoff hopes on the line. The Saints have won eight of the last 10 meetings, but Tampa Bay posted a 16-11 triumph at home in Week 14 and also claimed a victory in their trip to New Orleans last season.
The Buccaneers are one game behind first-place Atlanta in the NFC South and tied with Green Bay for the final wild-card spot, and though they could make the playoffs without winning out, coach Dirk Koetter would rather not entertain such scenarios. "We've got our hands full just worrying about the Saints," Koetter told reporters. "The rest of it is a bunch of math problems that are over my head." New Orleans still has an outside shot at the postseason but needs to win its final two games and get plenty of help. In fact, the Saints could be eliminated before Saturday’s game kicks off if either Washington or Green Bay win earlier in the day.
TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Saints -3. O/U: 52.5
ABOUT THE BUCCANEERS (8-6): Tampa Bay is closing in on its first playoff berth since 2007 thanks to the growth of quarterback Jameis Winston and an opportunistic defense. Winston and Mike Evans (84 receptions, 1,159 yards, 10 touchdowns) have developed into a dynamic combination, and the former has found a new red-zone target in Cameron Brate, who is tied for the NFL lead among tight ends with seven TD catches. The Buccaneers have had a tough time stopping the run, but they have forced 26 turnovers overall – third-most in the league – and recorded at least one takeaway in 10 straight games.
ABOUT THE SAINTS (6-8): New Orleans has the league’s most productive offense behind veteran quarterback Drew Brees, who leads the NFL in passing yards (4,559) and touchdowns (34) after guiding the team to a 48-41 shootout win at Arizona last week. The Saints have struggled on the other side of the ball, ranking 30th in scoring defense and 26th in total defense. The defensive unit has improved in the second half of the season, however, holding three of its last five opponents under 300 total yards.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Winston has passed for 945 yards with eight touchdowns and one interception in his last four division games.
2. Saints WR Brandin Cooks has made 11 touchdown catches in his last 11 home contests.
3. New Orleans RB Mark Ingram has rushed for 11 touchdowns in his last 13 division games but has not found the end zone in his past three contests.