This is a very tricky matchup to pick. Saints are tough to figure out, and we are not sure if we can trust their offense. One day they come out and throw the ball all over opposing defenses, but then there are those days in which they just don’t show up. Saints are much better at home than on the road.
Even though the Saints are not as dominant as they used to be at home in the past years, Superdome is still a tough place to play at. But, this Bucs defense is tough to play against as well. Tampa’s defense has stepped up in the second half of the season and has led this squad to a five-game winning streak before they dropped that match in Dallas last round.
Jameis Winston is taking as many shots deep downfield as any quarterback. We could easily say that both Brees and Winston are the guys that attempt deep throws the most in the NFL. Saints defense is likely to give up those big plays as their defense is not really good. Tampa, on the other hand, won’t give up many of those big plays. Saints were successful against the Cardinals, but Bucs will have actual players guarding Snead and Cook and those guys.
It’s a big divisional game, and we are going to pick the Buccaneers to steal this one from New Orleans. It’s going to be a competitive match in which the Bucs will hold Brees and company to under 30 points. That’s going to be enough as we think that Tampa is going to win this duel 31:27.
