Tampa Bay v. New Orleans

by John Michael

Downward spiral. After shocking the NFL with a four game winning streak, the Buccaneers have slipped in to an awful funk losing three straight games. Although each loss was close, as they all have this season, it must be noticed that all these losses were due to the Buccaneers struggle with finishing strong defensively in the second half. The passing defense has been the Achilles' heel for the Bucs all season, and that weakness has been exploited by opposing offenses as the Bucs have slipped out of playoff contention as quickly as they slipped into it.

I will admit, I am starting him in my
Fantasy League today.

It doesn't get much easier today, as the Bucs journey deep inside the Superdome in New Orleans to take on the always challenging Saints. The Saints have one of the top-ranked offenses in the league led by Drew Brees. The Saints are averaging almost 300 passing yards per game (2nd in the NFL) and almost 400 total offense per game (3rd in the NFL). But the weak spot for the Saints has been their defense, ranked dead last in the league allowing 436.9 yards per game with disastrous running and passing defense.

The last time these two teams met resulted in a thriller, with the game decided in the last second after a controversial call in the end zone against the Bucs. With both the Bucs and Saints in the middle of a three game losing streak, both teams desperately need a win. Here's how the Bucs find a win.

Keys to Victory

Slow down Drew Brees. Brees will be targeting the secondary as every opposing quarterback has done this season. He had tremendous success doing so earlier in the year, throwing for four touchdowns and 377 yards against the same Bucs defense. The passing defense needs to step it up all over the field, from winning in the trenches and forcing errors, to the secondary sticking to their assignments. But the best way to stop Brees is to not let him start, which falls in the next key.

That kid in that video has been doing the
Dougie better than Doug has recently.

Doug Martin. I have listed Martin as one of the Bucs' key weapons several times this season, and he is no less important today. New Orleans has the worst rushing defense in the league, and the only way the Bucs can slow down Brees and the New Orleans passing game is to keep it off the field and win the time of possession battle. Martin should run the ball quite a bit today and find success on the field that has been lacking for him in the past few weeks.

Freeman and Receivers. Like the last game, this game has the potential to become a shootout. Freeman needs to be able to answer Brees' production if the touchdowns start coming. Freeman had success against the Saints in the last game as well, throwing for 420 yards and three touchdowns while targeting Vincent Jackson, Dallas Clark, and Tiquan Underwood for scores. The question is, can he replicate that performance on the road?

My prediction before this season for the Bucs was a 9-7 record. After the winning streak, my expectations were higher, but this losing streak has taken the Bucs out of realistic contention for a playoff spot. However, with the Bucs at a 6-7 record, my prediction is still attainable. But it starts today with this tough road game. While the Bucs may have the edge in being able to stop the run, the Saints have the advantage in playing at home. I see this game coming down to the final seconds, just like last time, but I'm picking the Bucs to find a way in a close game.

John Michael's prediction:

Tampa Bay wins 38-35