Five Things to Know About Bucs Before Saints Rematch

By Ross Jackson

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to host the New Orleans Saints this weekend in their second matchup of the year. The Bucs won the first Week 8 game between the two teams 23-3, a game that is marked as the turning point at quarterback for New Orleans. 

This time, in Tampa, the Buccaneers have begun to trend in the wrong direction while the Saints are still focused on the evaluation of the potential foundational pieces of their future. 

Here are five things you need to know about the Buccaneers, as they play host to New Orleans in Week 14.

The Buccaneers have opened the practice window for two top wide receiver options.

As Week 14’s practice began, Tampa opened the 21-day practice windows of wide receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan. Evans is returning from a broken clavicle earlier than expected while McMillan is making his return from Injured Reserve following a scary preseason neck injury. It’s not clear yet whether either will be active for Sunday’s game against the Saints, with Evans being the most plausible to hit the field.

Tampa’s passing defense hasn’t performed well. 

Through the first 13 weeks, Tampa ranks No. 29 in passing defense. That could provide a positive matchup for rookie Saints passer Tyler Shough as he continues to find chemistry with pass-catchers Chris Olave, Devaughn Vele and Juwan Johnson. 

The Bucs are jostling for playoff position and the division lead. 

This game means a lot for the Buccaneers. The team at 7-5 is only two games out of the top NFC seed. However, they are only a half-game ahead of the 7-6 Carolina Panthers for the division lead. Winning the next three games puts Tampa in a really strong position by locking up the NFC South. This could be an early opportunity for New Orleans, eliminated from playoff contention, to play spoiler. 

Running back Bucky Irving is back.

Irving returned to the lineup in Week 13 against the Arizona Cardinals after having been out since Week 4. He was managing shoulder and foot injuries during the time. He compiled 81 total yards in his return, 60 on ground and 21 through the air. He found paydirt once on the run. 

Before last week’s win against the Cardinals, the Buccaneers had lost three-straight.

After starting off on fire for the year at 5-1, the Bucs have won just two of their six matchups. Injuries along the offensive line at wideout have been a big factor, as was a non-throwing shoulder injury for quarterback Baker Mayfield. Last week’s win could represent a righting of the ship for the team. But with the Atlanta Falcons on the way on a short week on Thursday Night Football in Week 15, the Buccaneers can’t look past New Orleans.