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Week 2, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are visiting the Dome to face the Saints on Sunday, September 20th. Let’s do some breakdowns ahead of the match-up to get a glimpse of what the Saints are marching into.
Series Matchup All-Time
(Full list here, via The Football Database)
Saints 29 – Bucs 17
The Saints are 12-7 against the Bucs with Brees.
Last 5 Games
(2013-2014) Saints 23 - Buccaneers 20
(2013-2014) Buccaneers 31 - Saints 37
(2012-2013) Buccaneers 17 - Saints 42
(2012-2013) Saints 16 - Buccaneers 14
(2011-2012) Saints 41 - Buccaneers 0
The Saints have won the last 7, with Tampa winning 26-20 @ Raymond James Stadium in October, 2011.
2014-2015 Buccaneers Totals
(Saints #1 total offense, #31 total defense according to ESPN)
Total Offense #30
Passing/YPG #25
Rushing/YPG #29
Total Defense #25
Passing/YPG #28
Rushing/YPG #19
Projected Rosters
Saints
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Buccaneers
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Offense
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QB
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Drew Brees
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Jameis Winston
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Luke McCown
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Mike Glennon
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Garrett Grayson
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Ryan Griffin
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RB
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Mark Ingram
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Doug Martin
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CJ Spiller
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Charles Sims
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Khiry Robinson
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Bobby Rainey
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WR
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Brandin Cooks
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Mike Evans
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Marques Colston
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Vincent Jackson
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Willie Snead
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Louis Murphy
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TE
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Josh Hill
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Austin Seferian-Jenkins
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Benjamin Watson
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Brandon Myers
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LT
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Terron Armstead
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Donovan Smith
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LG
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Tim Lelito
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Logan Mankins
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C
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Max Unger
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Evan Smith
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RG
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Jahri Evans
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Ali Marpet
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RT
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Zach Strief
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Gosder Cherilus
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Defense
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LDE
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Akiem Hicks
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George Johnson
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LDT
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John Jenkins
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Gerald McCoy
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RDT
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Kevin Williams
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Clinton McDonald
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RDE
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Cam Jordan
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Jacquies Smith
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Sam
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Hau’oli Kikaha
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Danny Lansanah
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Mike
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Stephone Anthony
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Kwon Alexander
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Will
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Dannell Ellerbe
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Lavonte David
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LCB
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Keenan Lewis
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Alterraun Verner
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RCB
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Brandon Browner
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Johnathan Banks
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NCB
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Delvin Breaux
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Tim Jennings
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SS
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Kenny Vaccaro
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Major Wright
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FS
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Jairus Byrd
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Bradley McDougald
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Special Teams
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K
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Zach Hocker
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Kyle Brindza
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P
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Thomas Morstead
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Jacob Schum
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Key Bucs
Offense
Jameis Winston: This is strictly obligatory. The first overall pick of the draft has to be given some consideration, and given the Bucs open against the hapless Titans (though I do like Mariota), what Winston can (or cannot) do in the NFL will be no more obvious come week 2. He’ll have VJax and Mike Evans to throw to, and the 6’6" Austin Seferian-Jenkins, despite his terribly long and hyphenated name, looks to break out in his second year under, ostensibly, a better QB than Mike Glennon.
Mike Evans: I expect instant chemistry between Evans and Winston – Mike Evans will be Jameis’ new Rashad Greene, for better or worse. In his inaugural campaign, Evans posted 68 receptions 12 TDs and over 1,000 yards. Expect each of those numbers to increase in 2015 (including targets, which were 122 in 2014).
Defense
Gerald McCoy (3x Pro Bowl, 3x FT All-Pro): When you take away both his height (6’4") and his weight (300 lbs), Gerald McCoy isn’t really all that big. And when you take away his elite run-stopping ability and exceedingly above average pass rush (as a DT), he’s no better than the Bucs’ safeties. However, since you cannot take away any of those things, and since McCoy is a veritable menace, he’ll yet again be the stuff of Brett Ingalls’ nightmares this season. McCoy got a sack in his lone game against the Saints last season, but look for him to attempt to quintuple that number this season.
Lavonte David (1x FT All-Pro): While not the best pass rushing 4-3 LB (see: Von Miller) in the NFL, David remains a solid run defender and is no slouch in coverage. He’s fast and he’s indiscriminate. David had a fumble forced, 4 stuffs, and 13 tackles against the Saints in 2 games last season. He’s also PFF’s 6th ranked 4-3 OLB (WLB) from the 2014 season. Run the ball right at him.
Alterraun Verner (1x Pro Bowl, 1x ST All-Pro): Though Verner doesn’t have the accolades of Gerald McCoy, they each likely agree that they’re certainly not the Bucs’ safeties. Verner, while having an underwhelming 2014 season, was ranked 7th by PFF among all CBs (91 spots ahead of Keenan Lewis). Also per PFF, he’s graded as the single best run-stopping CB in the NFL (way ahead of #2, Richard Sherman). Expect Verner to be asked to take on the Saints best WR both games this season.
TL;DR
Clearly, the most obvious question with regards to this game is what Jameis Winston looks like. Neither of our wins against Tampa last season were convincing (though the draft tank game at the end of the season deserves an asterisk), and losing two of our productive receivers doesn't help. That said, with a renewed commitment to the run, including the addition of Spiller and a shored up o line, the Saints lack of production against the Bucs on the ground last season looks to pick up. Brees also didn't play particularly well in these games, but opening up the run will create opportunities in the passing game - And Brees, despite his age, can work magic with an added second in the pocket. Look for Winston to try and make some "too cool for school" passes and pad the stats of our secondary. And, as always, beware of Gerald McCoy.
First divisional game - Let's go 8 in a row against TB. Who Dat!
Feedback on depth chart and other bits of information to include in this series is appreciated.