MatthewT

I don't have a prediction for this game, but I do know with Garcia looking like he will not go dramatically increases the Saints chances at winning this one. Even if Garcia does play, I doubt he would be able to do all the things that makes him a great QB for the Bucs. Lets face it, without Garcia the Bucs are about a 5-11 type of team.

JOESAM2002

We beat him with the Eagles, we can beat him with the Bucs!

andersen

I see it as more defensive than most, under 35 points. Turnovers, drops and penalties stall drives on both sides. Saints prevail on nail biter, 17-14.

Fleured

I'm looking more for a Bucs' letdown rather than a positive Saints' performance with this one. It is still a little puzzling how Tampa is doing (aside from all the Garcia accolades) and they are due for a gut check. This is at home so there is never any reason to relax. But with a few preparations and yet another day of Brees doing too much look for the Saints to win a marginal game. This will be the litmus test for the New Orleans secondary.

Saints 24, Buccaneers 20

Budsdrinker

It's looking more like Garcia will play since he practice today. If we can execute the defensive assignments with a double on Galloway and containment by the DE's and keep Garcia in the pocket we will win. He is most dangerous when he scrambles out of the pocket and throws on the run. Saints 24 Bucs 9

Donuts32

Why are so many people doubting the Saints. When we played them last time we had to many turnovers and dropped passes. Last time we didnt put Patten and Moore in that game that much. Colston is hot right now. We could win this game.
Saints 34 Bucs 20

biloxi-indian

Take 2: Buccaneers vs. Saints
By Scouts Inc

Friday, November 30, 2007

Earlier this week, our scouts filed their advance scouting report on this week's matchup between the Buccaneers and Saints. Now they're back with a second look.

Matchup to watch

Tampa Bay CB Ronde Barber vs. New Orleans WR Marques Colston
Colston has had over 100 yards receiving in three of his last four games and averaged almost 15 yards per catch. In order for the Buccaneers to corral the Saints' explosive passing game, they need to limit the number of explosive pass plays. That job falls primarily on Barber, who is Tampa Bay's best cover corner. Barber is slightly undersized and will be at a disadvantage in jump ball situations, so he will need to jam Colston at the line of scrimmage and re-route him to throw off his timing. If Colston manages to get a clean release on a consistent basis, he has the ability to locate the soft spots in Tampa's zone coverage and could end up with big numbers.


What happens if Jeff Garcia doesn't start?

Garcia suffered a back injury early in Week 12 that hasn't gotten any better this week and he may not be available on Sunday. Head coach Jon Gruden has said that it is likely to be a game-time decision. QB Bruce Gradkowski replaced Garcia in Week 12, performed poorly and was eventually benched after going 9-for-19 for 100 yards. Gradkowski and Luke McCown will be taking a majority of the snaps in practice and the staff will decide on a starter later in the week. This will have a huge impact on the Buccaneers' offense as Garcia has a tremendous feel for the West Coast offense and has been a major factor in Tampa Bay's success this season. If either of the backups end up starting, the Bucs will need to reduce their playbook by a large margin and rely on the ground game more than they normally do. With Garcia, the Bucs have been an average team throwing the ball, but the team's QB rating is fifth in the NFL thanks to his ability to make quick decisions on the move and distribute the ball to his receivers without turning the ball over. Ball security will be a major point of focus if Garcia does not start and that will mean running the ball along with few safe, non-high risk passes mixed in.

Can the Saints maintain their explosive passing attack against the Tampa Bay defense?
Last year, the Saints had the most explosive passing game in the NFL. They started this year off slowly going six games before getting their first 300-yard passing game. QB Drew Brees seems to be hitting stride and connecting with his favorite targets, RB Reggie Bush and WR Marques Colston, who lead the team with 70 and 68 catches respectively. Colston is their big play receiver and managed to come through with at least one explosive play (reception of over 20 yards) in four consecutive games. The Tampa Bay Cover 2 scheme is based on limiting an opponent's ability to convert on explosive plays. They give them the short stuff until they can force a turnover or stop them on downs. With RB Deuce McAllister out for the season, the Saints lack the power running game to pound the ball on a consistent basis and sustain long drives via the run. This forces the Saints to come up with explosive pass plays to score quickly and makes opposing defenses loosen up their run defense in order to maximize coverage. The Saints' offensive line did a great job of protecting Brees and did not allow a single sack in their game Sunday against Carolina. When he has time to scan the field and go through his progressions, Brees can tear apart a secondary.

Can the Saints defensive line control the line of scrimmage?

The Saints held Carolina to 43 yards rushing Sunday with a 2.4 yard per carry average. If they are able to control the line of scrimmage against the Buccaneers, the Saints have a good chance to run away with this game. With the issues that Tampa Bay is facing at quarterback, they need to run the ball effectively in order to control the clock and keep the ball out of Brees' hands. Barring being able to force turnovers, New Orleans needs to dominate at the line of scrimmage if it want to stop the Bucs and get the ball back into the hands of their offense. Defensive tackle Brian Young hopes to return to the lineup after missing the last four games with a knee injury and he would certainly boost the Saints up front. The front four of New Orleans is not massive but they are very athletic and do a great job of maintaining gap control and keeping blockers at bay, allowing their athletic linebackers flow freely and make plays.

Scouts' Edge

Neither team is apt to run the ball well and will need to concentrate on ball security as both of these defenses do a great job of creating turnovers. If Tampa Bay is unable to pound the ball, it could really struggle if it becomes one dimensional throwing the ball. If Garcia's back does not respond in practice this week, the Buccaneers will need to come up with special performances from their receiving corps as neither Gradkowski nor McCown are as electric running the West Coast offense. The Saints seem to be hitting stride offensively at just the right time and need to win this one at home if they hope to overtake the Bucs in the NFC South.

Prediction: Buccaneers 38, Saints 7

What a predicition!

Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over, over, and over again...and expecting a different outcome!

Turbo Saint

wow 38-7...that sounds a bit ridiculous

bobad

I don't think that single win against CAR changed anything. Running the table is the only thing will change something.

saintsfan1976

Our team still lacks confidence going into this one. Hope to see more blitzing by N.O.