There’s always plenty of stories to talk about when it comes to the Buccaneers and Saints facing off. Years of New Orleans dominance, the Divisional Round game that was the last of Drew Brees’ career - but this one is a little different. So what are the top storylines this time around as the Buccaneers and Saints meet for the first time in 2024?
Mike Evans mentioned that this game is about the people back home in Tampa. Baker Mayfield went even deeper, saying;
"This could be a Sunday to give the people of Florida, and especially around our area, some hope and something to look forward to watching,”
This game means more to the players than just a divisional matchup on the road. It’s about bringing a distraction, an escape - and hopefully some happiness - following the events of Hurricane Milton. These players love The Krewe and the city. Being able to take the field as a representation of the Bay area and show out means everything to them.
This is going to be an emotional game before an even more emotional return to those same fans next week. Also, credit to the Saints organization for hosting a donation drive for the victims of Hurricane Milton at the Superdome on Sunday. Rivalry aside, it’s a wonderful gesture from a place that knows all too well about the aftermath of a hurricane.
Spencer Rattler makes his NFL debut after being drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft - so Todd Bowles gets a shot at a rookie quarterback for the third time this season. The first time, it went pretty well as the Bucs are the only team to somewhat contain Jayden Daniels and the only team to beat the Commanders this season. The second time around didn’t go so well.
Now, Bowles has one player he hasn’t had all season and looks to be getting another that hasn’t seen the field since that game against Daniels - Calijah Kancey and Antoine Winfield Jr. This is going to be a problem for Rattler who, throughout his collegiate career, has never seen a defensive mind the likes of Bowles. Now with Kancey back in the fold and the versatility of Winfield Jr., the ability for Bowles to do some of the things that his personnel hasn’t allowed him to do - from getting pressure on the quarterback without bringing blitzes to disguising coverages to cause confusion - Bowles will have his work cut out for him against an athlete like Rattler, but Rattler will have his work cut out for him against a Todd Bowles defense.
This is going to forever be a storyline because of the legend that has now grown around this heated rivalry. Lattimore, more often than not, has gotten the better of Evans - to the point that Evans has even been ejected for fighting. In twelve career matchups between the two, Evans only has 32 receptions for 533 yards and four touchdowns. His best performance was seven catches for 147 yards and a touchdown, but Lattimore has held Evans to under five receptions on ten occasions, under 70 receiving yards on ten occasions, and scoreless on eight occasions.
Evans talked about it earlier in the week, that he has let his emotions get the best of him too many times against Lattimore - which is probably exactly what Lattimore wanted to hear. That told Lattimore that he easily gets under the skin of Evans and he will do any and everything he can on Sunday to poke the bear and really get Evans off his game.
We’ll see how Evans handles things this time around, but at this point I think it’s best that they orchestrate a charity boxing match that can be broadcast on pay-per-view of some sort. Saints and Bucs fans would eat it up, NFL fans in general would tune in, and they would raise a ton of money for good causes - not to mention, they could finally get it all out of their system. Come on - don’t tell me you wouldn’t pay $20 to live stream that fight because you know you would.
Mike Evans Receiving Yards - O/U 54.5
Seven of their twelve matchups, Lattimore has held Evans under that number. If he keeps his emotions in check and his eye on the prize, he can certainly surpass that number. However, will the game plan be more about Chris Godwin and the other offensive weapons? I’m taking the under here
Chris Godwin Receiving Yards - O/U 62.5
Hammer the over. Hammer it. The last time Godwin was held under 62.5 against New Orleans was in 2021 when he had six receptions on seven targets for 49 yards in the first half before getting his ACL torn. Only three times since the 2019 season has Godwin been held to below 63 yards. Maybe they should try putting Lattimore on Godwin instead?
Alvin Kamara Receptions - O/U 4.5
A rookie quarterback’s best friends are a pass catching running back and a sure handed tight end. Kamara is still one of the best pass catching backs in the league so when Rattler finds himself in trouble, Kamara is going to be the one he looks to to dump the ball off and avoid forced passes downfield or sacks. Kamara might hit the over on this one in the first quarter.
Bucky Irving Total Yards - O/U 83.5
This is a really good line. Irving will get the vast majority of the carries, but how involved will he be in the passing game? Honestly, to this point, even Rachaad White hasn’t been as involved as a pass catcher as anyone expected. Irving is an explosive play waiting to happen and he’s had two carries this season to go over 30 yards. One of those on Sunday and he’s nearly halfway to the betting line. I’m taking the over on this one.
Baker Mayfield Passing Touchdowns - O/U 1.5
Twice this season, Mayfield hasn’t hit two passing touchdowns in a game. Once was in Detroit, the other was against Denver. He has at least two passing touchdowns in the first half in back to back weeks - but this Saints defense has been pretty good against quarterbacks. Laser Mayfield stays hot, though - take the over
Juwan Johnson Receiving Yards - O/U 22.5
Johnson was a nightmare for the Bucs in their last meeting and the middle of the field hasn’t exactly been Fort Knox in this defense. I would expect Johnson to be heavily utilized, especially on third downs. Take the over.
Bucs (3-2) @ Saints (2-3) Game Information
When: Sunday, October 13th 2024
Where: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans, LA)
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
TV: FOX - Adam Amin (Play-by-Play), Greg Olsen (Color), Pam Oliver (Sideline Reporter)
Bucs Radio: 98Rock – Gene Deckerhoff (Play by Play), Dave Moore (Color), T.J. Rives (Reporter)
Spanish Radio: 96.1 Caliente – Carlos Bohorquez (Play by Play), Martín Gramática (Analyst), Santiago Gramatica (Sideline Reporter)
There’s always plenty of stories to talk about when it comes to the Buccaneers and Saints facing off. Years of New Orleans dominance, the Divisional Round game that was the last of Drew Brees’ career - but this one is a little different. So what are the top storylines this time around as the Buccaneers and Saints meet for the first time in 2024?
Mike Evans mentioned that this game is about the people back home in Tampa. Baker Mayfield went even deeper, saying;
"This could be a Sunday to give the people of Florida, and especially around our area, some hope and something to look forward to watching,”
This game means more to the players than just a divisional matchup on the road. It’s about bringing a distraction, an escape - and hopefully some happiness - following the events of Hurricane Milton. These players love The Krewe and the city. Being able to take the field as a representation of the Bay area and show out means everything to them.
This is going to be an emotional game before an even more emotional return to those same fans next week. Also, credit to the Saints organization for hosting a donation drive for the victims of Hurricane Milton at the Superdome on Sunday. Rivalry aside, it’s a wonderful gesture from a place that knows all too well about the aftermath of a hurricane.
Spencer Rattler makes his NFL debut after being drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft - so Todd Bowles gets a shot at a rookie quarterback for the third time this season. The first time, it went pretty well as the Bucs are the only team to somewhat contain Jayden Daniels and the only team to beat the Commanders this season. The second time around didn’t go so well.
Now, Bowles has one player he hasn’t had all season and looks to be getting another that hasn’t seen the field since that game against Daniels - Calijah Kancey and Antoine Winfield Jr. This is going to be a problem for Rattler who, throughout his collegiate career, has never seen a defensive mind the likes of Bowles. Now with Kancey back in the fold and the versatility of Winfield Jr., the ability for Bowles to do some of the things that his personnel hasn’t allowed him to do - from getting pressure on the quarterback without bringing blitzes to disguising coverages to cause confusion - Bowles will have his work cut out for him against an athlete like Rattler, but Rattler will have his work cut out for him against a Todd Bowles defense.
This is going to forever be a storyline because of the legend that has now grown around this heated rivalry. Lattimore, more often than not, has gotten the better of Evans - to the point that Evans has even been ejected for fighting. In twelve career matchups between the two, Evans only has 32 receptions for 533 yards and four touchdowns. His best performance was seven catches for 147 yards and a touchdown, but Lattimore has held Evans to under five receptions on ten occasions, under 70 receiving yards on ten occasions, and scoreless on eight occasions.
Evans talked about it earlier in the week, that he has let his emotions get the best of him too many times against Lattimore - which is probably exactly what Lattimore wanted to hear. That told Lattimore that he easily gets under the skin of Evans and he will do any and everything he can on Sunday to poke the bear and really get Evans off his game.
We’ll see how Evans handles things this time around, but at this point I think it’s best that they orchestrate a charity boxing match that can be broadcast on pay-per-view of some sort. Saints and Bucs fans would eat it up, NFL fans in general would tune in, and they would raise a ton of money for good causes - not to mention, they could finally get it all out of their system. Come on - don’t tell me you wouldn’t pay $20 to live stream that fight because you know you would.
Mike Evans Receiving Yards - O/U 54.5
Seven of their twelve matchups, Lattimore has held Evans under that number. If he keeps his emotions in check and his eye on the prize, he can certainly surpass that number. However, will the game plan be more about Chris Godwin and the other offensive weapons? I’m taking the under here
Chris Godwin Receiving Yards - O/U 62.5
Hammer the over. Hammer it. The last time Godwin was held under 62.5 against New Orleans was in 2021 when he had six receptions on seven targets for 49 yards in the first half before getting his ACL torn. Only three times since the 2019 season has Godwin been held to below 63 yards. Maybe they should try putting Lattimore on Godwin instead?
Alvin Kamara Receptions - O/U 4.5
A rookie quarterback’s best friends are a pass catching running back and a sure handed tight end. Kamara is still one of the best pass catching backs in the league so when Rattler finds himself in trouble, Kamara is going to be the one he looks to to dump the ball off and avoid forced passes downfield or sacks. Kamara might hit the over on this one in the first quarter.
Bucky Irving Total Yards - O/U 83.5
This is a really good line. Irving will get the vast majority of the carries, but how involved will he be in the passing game? Honestly, to this point, even Rachaad White hasn’t been as involved as a pass catcher as anyone expected. Irving is an explosive play waiting to happen and he’s had two carries this season to go over 30 yards. One of those on Sunday and he’s nearly halfway to the betting line. I’m taking the over on this one.
Baker Mayfield Passing Touchdowns - O/U 1.5
Twice this season, Mayfield hasn’t hit two passing touchdowns in a game. Once was in Detroit, the other was against Denver. He has at least two passing touchdowns in the first half in back to back weeks - but this Saints defense has been pretty good against quarterbacks. Laser Mayfield stays hot, though - take the over
Juwan Johnson Receiving Yards - O/U 22.5
Johnson was a nightmare for the Bucs in their last meeting and the middle of the field hasn’t exactly been Fort Knox in this defense. I would expect Johnson to be heavily utilized, especially on third downs. Take the over.
Bucs (3-2) @ Saints (2-3) Game Information
When: Sunday, October 13th 2024
Where: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans, LA)
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
TV: FOX - Adam Amin (Play-by-Play), Greg Olsen (Color), Pam Oliver (Sideline Reporter)
Bucs Radio: 98Rock – Gene Deckerhoff (Play by Play), Dave Moore (Color), T.J. Rives (Reporter)
Spanish Radio: 96.1 Caliente – Carlos Bohorquez (Play by Play), Martín Gramática (Analyst), Santiago Gramatica (Sideline Reporter)
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