Buccaneers (2-1) at Saints (2-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, Caesars Superdome, New Orleans TV: Fox
Spread (FanDuel): Saints by 3 Buccaneers’ keys to victory: The Tampa Bay defense must win at the line of scrimmage. DE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka needs to take advantage of Saints LT Trevor Penning and bring pressure against the blind side, hurrying him through his progressions and forcing poor decisions. Offensively, the Bucs need to attack the Saints downfield with starting FS Marcus Maye still suspended. This could be a big game for WR Chris Godwin working against an undermanned New Orleans secondary.
Saints’ keys to victory: New Orleans QB Derek Carr is weekto-week with a shoulder injury and the team hasn’t been able to run with much consistency to start the season. The return of RB Alvin Kamara from his suspension could lead to an uptick in that phase. Getting Kamara matched up on Tampa Bay’s linebackers has worked well in the past. Defensively, the Saints must get after QB Baker Mayfield like the Eagles did in Week 3 and move him off his spot. This would be a great game for DT Bryan Bresee to bully a Buccaneers interior that’s looked vulnerable at times this season.
Matchup to watch: Buccaneers WR Mike Evans vs. Saints CB Marshon Lattimore. This has turned into a heated rivalry in recent games. Both players are performing at their peak, and this is a big opportunity to assert themselves one-on-one.
Who wins? The Buccaneers lucked into a couple of easy matchups to start the season, but their luck is running out after a tough game with the Eagles. The Saints defense will challenge Mayfield in many of the same ways.
Saints 17-10