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2016 Buccaneers’ Season Preview: Week 14 vs New Orleans

By Alan Schechter

Oct 5, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) is slammed down by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) in the fourth quarter of their game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints won in overtime, 37-31. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) is slammed down by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) in the fourth quarter of their game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints won in overtime, 37-31. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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How will the Buccaneers fare against the Saints in week 14 of the 2016 season?

The regular season is getting close.  Yes there is one more game to go in the preseason, but the rosters are getting closer and closer to the final 53.  If you missed any of the Sunday moves, take a look here.  Week one is almost here, gang.

With that, let’s get back to the season previews.  It has been a couple of weeks, but we have been taking a look at the upcoming season for the Bucs, game by game.  The rosters still aren’t finalized, but it is fun to take a look at the games early and try to get a handle on what it will take to win each week.  We left off in the middle of August taking a look at week 13.

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Now, we move along to week 14, which is the first of two games against the division rival New Orleans Saints.  The first battle is at Raymond James Stadium, so let’s get to it.

Overall, this has not been a kind series to the Bucs, as these two teams have played 48 times with the Saints winning 30.  But, the Bucs did break up a long losing streak in this series last year when they topped the Saints in September, mildly injuring Drew Brees in the process.  They have lost eight out of the last nine though.

The big key will be to get to Brees.  The man is not exactly a scrambler.  If the Bucs get to him they can win.  In the win last year, Brees was sacked four times, but in the loss he was sacked only two.  In the win, they held Brees to 255 yards and an 80 QB rating.  In the loss, he topped 300 yards and posted a 113 rating.  It’s a pretty simple formula.

Brent Grimes and company had better be ready too.  No matter who is leading the charge on the outside, these days it’s Brandin Cooks, they are a threat when Drew is under center.  It will be a test.

The offense should be able to move the football.  Last year, Doug Martin averaged nearly 80 yards per game against the Saints.  Jameis Winston completed over 60% of his passes and didn’t throw an interception against the divisional foe.  Keep in mind that one of those performances was without his number two man, Vincent Jackson.  They either approached or eclipsed 300 yards of total offense in each of the two games last year.

Next: Mike Evans Fantasy Preview

We saw the other night how potent this offense really can be, and they should be able to have great success against the Saints.  It will be on the defense to propel the Bucs against their NFC South rivals.

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