Three matchups that can shape Bucs at Saints

David Banks-Imagn Images

By Ross Jackson

In their Week 8 matchup, the New Orleans Saints will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This will be the Saints’ first divisional matchup of the year and an important one for the team as they look to rebound from a tough loss to the Chicago Bears last week.

In order to get the win or at least compete at a promising level, three top players will have to be a factor, leading off with the defensive end that has already begun to revive the Saints’ pass rush.

DE Chase Young vs. LT Tristan Wirfs

Young has spent the majority of his early season thus far rushing from over or outside the left tackle. Wirfs is one of the better pass blockers in the league and has yet to allow a sack in his four games this season, per Pro Football Focus.

The Detroit Lions kept Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield off-balance during their Week 7 Monday night tilt by pressuring him on more than 37% of drop backs, per Next Gen Stats. Young would be the key to replicating some degree of that success for New Orleans.

WR Chris Olave vs. Buccaneers Corners

While Olave’s name has mostly been brought up on trade rumors over the last few weeks, he should be being talked about as a comeback candidate for the team. After a season shortened by injury last year, Olave has already surpassed his eight-game receiving yards total and touchdown reception total through the first seven games of 2025.

In particular, he’s had a strong pair of weekends with two consecutive 98-yard receiving games, including his first multi-touchdown reception game last week. His matchup with the Bucs secondary will draw a variety of coverage pairings because of how much he moves around the offensive formation. Another strong game could put the Saints in position to compete.

CB Kool-Aid McKinstry vs. WR Emeka Egbuka

Saints corners McKinstry and Quincy Riley will have to be on point in this game. The Buccaneers are an explosive team with a big-play offense. The front line of the passing defense will be the team’s young cornerbacks lining up against Egbuka and fellow wideouts Sterling Shepard and Tez Johnson. Safety help over the top will be important, but disrupting rhythm and making tackles at the catch point will be imperative.