The Bucs And The Saints’ Stunning Streak
September 29th, 2023
The slimy Saints, Sunday’s Bucs opponent, are a strange team.
They feature bad offense despite strong weapons, good special teams, weak quarterback play, a poor head coach, but a stunningly consistent defense approaching an NFL record.
The New Orleans defense has allowed 20 or fewer points in 11 consecutive games. Think about that in the context of the Bucs allowing an average of more than 28 points per game over their final six games last year.
That Saints’ streak is the longest active defensive run in the NFL. Also, the Saints haven’t allowed a quarterback to throw for 300 yards since 2021.
So should Joe expect the Bucs to score 20 or more points on Sunday? Joe damn sure hopes they do. But this Bucs defense has so many banged up stars, it’s hard to imagine them holding any team under 20.
Joe thinks the Tampa Bay offense — and their stellar-so-far kicking game — will have to come through for the Bucs to up their record to 3-1.
If not, well, then maybe Jameis Winston will throw three interceptions to the Bucs like he did in Week 2 last season, a Bucs win in New Orleans.
September 29th, 2023 at 9:40 am
We need at least 21 points……even if it’s 7 FGs……
September 29th, 2023 at 10:40 am
My thoughts are as you said Joe. For Bowles and NO head coach, neither is seen as above average as a HC. Both have good defenses and some what suspect QBs with Carr out but I think the Bucs can win if they just clean up the mistakes like Mayfield over throwing receivers, receiver drops and if White’s not getting the job done as RB put the rookie or Vaughan in or change the play calling. This is the 4th week and a lot of this should not be happening if the Bucs are to make the playoffs or if either HC will have a job next year
September 29th, 2023 at 10:42 am
With the massive amount of injuries this team consistently has they really should transfer from the NFL to a flag football league. Leading the way is Calijah Kancey, the 2023 version of Russell Gage and his sidekick Sir Dennis. Jason Licht sure knows how to pick porcelain dolls. This team has ZERO chance of beating the Saints.
September 29th, 2023 at 10:59 am
If they insist on running the ball when they can’t move the D line, it will be rough going.
September 29th, 2023 at 11:36 am
We can not lose to those slimey Stainks. It would ruin the season. Must win game.
September 29th, 2023 at 11:38 am
If the O does not wake up, it could be a long, quiet flight home.
September 29th, 2023 at 1:33 pm
Saints defense is for real. Sunday’s ballgame will be a toughie.
By all accounts the Saints should be 3-0 right now. They were ahead of the Packers 17-0 in the 4th qtr, but blew it because of 2 huge DPIs on 1 drive and they missed a FG in the last minute that would’ve won the game.
Interesting that Jordan Love threw deep 14 times in that game, completing only 3 (plus 1 was intercepted and 2 drew DPIs that led to a Packers’ TD). I think the Packers turned to the deep ball out of frustration (their short game got them 0 points over the first 3 quarters). Love was 2-for-6 deep in the 4th qtr PLUS 2 more deep bombs that drew the 2 DPIs.
September 29th, 2023 at 1:38 pm
The Saints are going to be a major challenge for the Bucs!!! A hated rival with the Dome full of ‘Aints fanatics…at least our OL appeared to survive loud domes in Minnesota.
N.O. may have a shaky offense but they still have a solid D and even the O has talented skill players..it’s their OL that is the weak link, which means the Bucs need to keep the heat on Fameis..perhaps get him to cough up an int or two.
Having said that JW has plenty of targets, a great arm combined with slow wheels and a cement head. If they can’t break through the concrete with some ints and sacks JW has the talent and super receiving corps to do some real damage.
I honestly do not know which way this game will go considering injuries and the level of this rivalry. And it’s a Division game which makes it very important for both teams
BTW Am I the only guy here who loved Miami hanging 70 points on dikhead Payton?
I LOVED IT!
It makes me wonder how great an HC Payton is. Could he be entering a similar debate as happens with Belichik who is a LOSING HC without Brady. Has Payton won much without Brees? I’m too lazy to check the stats.
September 29th, 2023 at 2:06 pm
This game i going to fall heavy on Baker’shoulders. He is going to have to repeatedly escape the Saints D . He is going to have to convert under pressure on 3rd down and he is going to have to I repeat HAVE TO throw deep and connect for big yardage and TD s in order to keep the Bucs from being run out of the stadium. Canales needs to turn Baker loose and trust him and of course the rest of the guys need to help out by making critical plays. Here is an idea. The Bucs need to pull what we used to call a “Bart Starr”. That is to say on 3rd or 4th down and short yardage when everybody expects them to run it Baker needs to be allowed to drop back and go for te kill shot. I saw it done last week.IK think it was against the Steelers and it worked beautifully.
September 29th, 2023 at 3:59 pm
After seeing the Bucks defense be as soft as butter last game I worry Kamara will have a big day if not it should be a dog fight. Also the Bucs D is banged up. Could be a big problem. It could go either way. Hope Jamess throws 2 or 3 picks.
September 29th, 2023 at 6:48 pm
Why don’t they build the pass? Start with some short throws to build confidence, fit in some runs here and there (not on every new set of downs cause our run game sucks). Then as Baker gets comfortable in the environment go for some deep throws as the game goes on. Seems like they were rushing so much during the eagles game that by the time the pass synced up it was too late.
September 29th, 2023 at 8:35 pm
Get outta here BucU. Kancey should have been on IR, pretty annoyed that they played it as if he would be out there week 2 and here we are hoping he is healthy for week 6. Saints don’t have it. I am sure we will see their A game and it will be tough but their best players are getting long in the tooth. Gotta be better defending the run this week, don’t let anyone beat you over the top and should be able to keep Jameis and co in check despite the injuries on D. On offense, play action and screen game them to death if you have to.
September 30th, 2023 at 12:28 am
Seriously doubt Carr Plays. Think it will boil down to how rusty Kamara is. Hard to believe he will be sharp with no reps this season.
September 30th, 2023 at 3:15 pm
This game has loss written all over it. Defense is banged up, offense can’t run the ball and Lattimore owns Mike Evans. Loud dome. Saints win 27-17