Buccaneers vs Saints Week 2: Can the Buccaneers Defensive Line Control the Saints’ Ability to Advance?

• A fierce divisional battle between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints
• The NFC South is considered just the 6th best NFL division this season
• Watch Bucs vs Saints live on Sunday, September 18, 2022, at 1:00 PM ET on FOX

Buccaneers vs Saints Odds

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Buccaneers vs Saints Pick

As good as Tampa Bay’s offense is behind the GOAT, it’s the Bucs’ defense that rocked the Cowboys in Week 1 so expect the same performance here.

Tampa Bay -3 (-115)

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In the NFL’s Week 2 lineup, a fierce NFC South battle will take place on Sunday afternoon as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints, currently, the only two undefeated teams in that division squaring off to see who can take an early lead there.

For anyone still in doubt of QB Tom Brady’s skills at 45 years old, his numbers in Week 1 reveal a veteran still in his prime, the Tampa Bay Bucs GOAT overseeing the rebirth of WR Julio Jones who can still stretch the field as RB Leonard Fournette continues to bust through tough tackles.

It did not look like the 1-0 New Orleans Saints were going to beat the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1 but QB Jameis Winston (23/34, 269 yds, 2 TDs) helped the team overcome a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit, a win that was aided by the block of a potential game-winning 63-yard field goal.

Here are our best predictions, odds, and picks for this game – good luck and win big! If you’re new to sports betting check out our guide on how to bet on NFL!

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints Predictions

Can the Buccaneers Defensive Line Control the Saints’ Ability to Advance?

One of the things that make the Tampa Bay Buccaneers more than just an offensive vehicle for the GOAT Brady and his targets is how strong the defense also is, right now ranked third in the league after keeping their Week 1 opponent to only 244 total yards and allowing just 3 points.

The Bucs defensive line is key – with inside power by NTs Vita Vea and Akiem Hicks and outside containment by DEs William Gholston and rookie Logan Hall – so DCs Kacy Rodgers and Larry Foote are no doubt sketching out a game plan to ruin QB Jameis Winston’s Sunday.

Last week the Buccaneers defense made the powerful Cowboys look ineffective keeping them to a field goal as the Bucs posted 4 sacks, 8 QB hits, 6 passes defended and 57 total tackles, a production that will be necessary here in New Orleans if Tampa Bay hopes to win again.

Can the Saints RB Alvin Kamara Continue to Dominate the Offense?

With a strong-armed QB like Jameis Winston under center, it’s no wonder the New Orleans Saints enjoy a solid passing attack, but what makes that even more deadly is the threat of RB Alvin Kamara out of the backfield, a dual-threat back who can hurt you in multiple ways.

Last week in the win over the Falcons, Kamara had decent production on the filed posting 9 carries for 39 yards while also catching 3 footballs off 4 targets for 7 yards, his mere presence enough to throw off the defense’s game plan in order to shift double coverages his way.

Now that the Saints also have slot receiver Jarvis Landry on their roster, OC Pete Carmichael can begin to confuse defenses midfield, yet more ways HC Dennis Allen can orchestrate an offensive outside-the-box game plan – just ask their Swiss Army knife TE Taysom Hill.

Buccaneers Key Player: (WR) Mike Evans

Having a WR like Mike Evans on the Tampa Bay Roster is like having an extra tight end who can run crisp routes, make disputed catches, and earn yards after almost every catch, a 6’ 5” 231 pound playmaker beginning his ninth season, a receiver in which QB Tom Brady has faith.

Evans made his mark at Texas A&M from 2011-13 until the Bucs drafted him with the seventh overall pick in 2014 after being impressed with his speed given his size – he runs the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds – skills that’ve translated into 611 receptions for 9,372 yards and 76 TDs.

In Week 1, Evans had 5 catches for 71 yards and a TD as he and Tom Brady continue a bond they began last season, so in Week 2 expect the Saints to cover him with one of their best CBs – Paulson Adebo or Marshon Lattimore – with double teams that include S Tyrann Mathieu.

Saints Key Player: (WR) Chris Olave

It was important this offseason for the Saints front office to add depth to the team’s wide receiver room, and they did that by selecting a playmaker in round one choosing Chris Olave with the 11th pick overall, the former OSU standout who gives New Orleans another deep threat.

Olave is just over 6’ tall and he can run the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds, a 2x first-team All-Big Ten player who can stretch the field who in four years at Ohio State caught 175 passes for 2,702 yards and 35 TDs, his ability to run solid routes and get open earning him an early pick.

In his first NFL game as a rookie, Olave caught all three of his targeted passes for 41 yards, a solid outing for a new guy who will help his fellow receivers – Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry – draw the attention of opposing secondaries so there is more field for them to get open.

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