Following a come-from-behind win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 13, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are poised to make a push for a Wild Card playoff spot in the NFC. The Bucs will need a few things to fall into place to make that happen, starting with a home victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 14.
Saints vs. Buccaneers 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
There’s much on the line in Week 13 when the Saints take on the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay.
Jeanna Kelley has been covering the Falcons for The Falcoholic since 2011 and the NFL for SB Nation since 2015.
The Saints had an opportunity to hand the Carolina Panthers their first loss of the season in Week 13, but fell just short, losing 41-38 amid some questionable non-calls by the game officials. The Saints trail the Falcons and the Bucs in the NFC South by two games at present, but they have not been eliminated from playoff contention. Sunday's tilt with the Buccaneers provides an opportunity for New Orleans to keep its postseason hopes, as slim as they are, alive. A loss to Tampa Bay coupled with a Seattle Seahawks victory in Baltimore would mathematically eliminate New Orleans from the postseason.
The New Orleans defense has been a liability this season, and the Bucs present some unique challenges for the Saints. Tampa Bay’s ground game is second in the NFL, averaging 143.3 yards per game. The Saints’ defense is allowing an average of 137.8 rushing yards per game -- the worst mark in the league.
The Saints' pass defense is hardly any better and ranks 31st in the league by allowing 287.3 yards in the air per game. New Orleans has also allowed 35 passing touchdowns so far this season. The NFL record for the most passing touchdowns allowed by a defense in a single season is 40, set by the Denver Broncos in 1963, and with four games remaining, the Saints are on track to set a new high mark. New Orleans also has just six interceptions through the 2015 season.
It might be a long afternoon for the New Orleans secondary, which will face Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson. Both are dynamic receivers with the ability to get separation.
On the other hand, the Bucs' defense has been stingy against the pass, allowing 226.6 yards per game. Drew Brees always has the potential to put up big numbers through the air, but the Saints' offense has been inconsistent at best throughout this season.
Drew Brees and company looked impressive in a 52-49 win over the New York Giants in Week 8 when Brees threw for 505 yards and seven touchdowns. Two weeks later, New Orleans floundered against Washington, only managing to put up 14 points in a blowout 47-14 road loss. Immediately after their bye in Week 11, the Saints were limited to two field goals in a 24-6 loss to the Houston Texans.
The Saints are averaging 94.4 yards per game on the ground, and the Bucs are stout against the run, allowing just 94.7 yards per game and five rushing touchdowns all season.
This is a must-win game for the Saints, whose postseason hopes have all but evaporated, but the Bucs won’t make it easy on New Orleans.
How to Watch
When: 1 p.m. ET Sunday
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
TV: FOX
Announcers: Dick Stockton, David Diehl and Kristina Pink
Online: Watch NFL Live
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