Kryptonite for Brady
When it comes to the regular season, the New Orleans Saints are the one team that future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can’t figure out a way to beat.
This game could be determined by the health of the two teams. New Orleans running back Alvin Kamara joins Tampa Bay receiver Chris Godwin and offensive tackle Donovan Smith as players to keep an eye on as kickoff approaches.
This is certainly a game that former Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston looks forward to, although the rematch in Tampa Bay is probably the one that will bring the most emotion out of Winston.
Tampa Bay (+275) has the best odds to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl while New Orleans comes in seventh at +1600.
According to the NFL betting odds, the Buccaneers (+750) are tied for the second-best odds to win the NFC title. New Orleans comes in seventh at +1600.
Let’s check the latest NFL picks, stats, injury reports, and NFL odds for Buccaneers vs Saints. We’ve plenty of NFL predictions for you to consider.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defense already looked to be in midseason form in a season-opening win over Dallas. Devin White led the way with eight tackles and two sacks as Tampa Bay held a Dallas team that led the NFL in total offense in 2021 to 244 yards of offense and one field goal.
“Our standard is to be the best defense.”
🗣: @Carlton_Lowkey pic.twitter.com/3f61K88mdy
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) September 14, 2022
Mike Evans had the game’s only touchdown on a 5-yard scoring grab late in the third quarter.
Brady is not accustomed to losing four straight regular-season games to a team. However, the Buccaneers are 0-4 against New Orleans during the 2020 and 2021 regular seasons. Tampa Bay did beat the Saints 30-20 in the postseason in 2020 en route to the Super Bowl title. He will be determined to lead Tampa Bay to victory on Sunday.
Leonard Fournette had 127 rushing yards against Dallas, his most in a game since he ran for 131 yards against Cincinnati in 2019 when he was still with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Buccaneers have covered against the NFL betting odds in eight of the last 11 games.
New Orleans Saints
There are some injury concerns with running back Kamara and receiver Tre’Quan Smith, who are among the players dealing with some ailments. That could play a role in the home team being listed as the underdog.
The New Orleans Saints enters the game with division favorite Tampa Bay coming off an improbable season-opening win.
The Saints trailed the Atlanta Falcons by 16 points in the fourth quarter. Winston had a pair of touchdown passes to Michael Thomas and a two-point conversion pass to rookie Chris Olave. Wil Lutz won the game with a 51-yard field goal to give the Saints the victory.
The four sacks allowed are a concern. It will also be interesting to see how the rushing attempts are split up. Tight end Taysom Hill led the Saints with 81 yards on four carries while Mark Ingram could see a larger role if Kamara can’t go or is limited.
Jarvis Landry led the Saints with seven catches and 114 receiving yards while second-year linebacker Pete Werner had 13 tackles.
Something to consider for those who bet online: New Orleans has covered in four of the last six games.
Buccaneers vs Saints Injury Report
When looking at the NFL injury report, the biggest news is Tampa Bay receiver Godwin being out indefinitely due to a hamstring injury. Also for Tampa Bay, offensive linemen Nick Leverett (shoulder) and Donovan Smith (elbow), and defensive back player Zyon McCollum (hamstring) are questionable.
For New Orleans, cornerback Paulson Adebo (ankle), running backs Kamara (ribs) and Dwayne Washington (hamstring) and receiver Tre’Quan Smith (groin) are questionable. Offensive lineman Trevor Penning (foot) and defensive lineman Malcolm Roach (foot) are out indefinitely.
Buccaneers vs Saints Head-to-Head
New Orleans has won seven of the last eight meetings with Tampa Bay and that includes a sweep of the season series in 2021. New Orleans won 36-27 as a four-point underdog at home on Oct. 31, 2021, and took the rematch on Dec. 19 by a 9-0 score as an 11½-point underdog.
In the first meeting in 2021, the Saints took the lead on a Brian Johnson field goal with 1:41 left and P.J. Williams returned an interception 40 yards for a score just 17 seconds later.
Tampa Bay had nearly 100 more yards in total offense in the rematch, but couldn’t get in the end zone.
Each of the last six games between the division rivals has been decided by at least nine points.
Buccaneers vs Saints Game Information
- Records: Buccaneers 1-0, vs Saints 1-0
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 18
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans
- How to watch Buccaneers vs Saints? ESPN
Buccaneers vs Saints Live Stream: NFL Game Pass
Buccaneers vs Saints Prediction
New Orleans has won the last seven games in the regular season against the Buccaneers. The Saints have been the underdogs in the last three matchups during the regular season. The NFL point spreads list the Saints as a 2½-point underdog in this one.
New Orleans allowed more than 400 yards of offense to Atlanta so what will it look like against the Buccaneers?
Tampa Bay has covered in just one of the last eight games against the Saints while four of the last five times that Tampa Bay played at New Orleans, the total went over.
The total has gone under in six of New Orleans’ last eight games as well as in four of the last five home contests. The run of success against Tampa Bay can’t last forever, so look for the Buccaneers to get things done on the road. The line has moved from 3½ to 2½ in the last 24 hours.
The odds and predictions in the article are based on the time of writing and publication. They may differ as to when the actual event takes place.
Buccaneers vs Saints Trends
Buccaneers vs Saints Edge
Buccaneers vs Saints Results
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Buccaneers vs Saints Game Summary
