Buccaneers Road to Playoffs: Looking Ahead

Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

OBSTACLE NUMBER ONE: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

The New Orleans Saints may have a bad record at 4-8 but if anyone watched the game last week against the Panthers, you seen a team that really wanted to win regardless of their record which brings me to the first reason I think the Buccaneers will beat the Saints this Sunday.

The Saints gave, in my opinion, the last big fight they had in them Sunday against the Panthers. With no shot at the playoffs it isn’t easy for a team to go week in and week out and play hard every snap. It is even harder to do this when you did give it your all against a great team and still lost. I think that might have been the last straw for the Saints and although they won’t admit it, I think this team is beginning to figure out that this season is a lost cause for them.

Another reason I think the Buccaneers will win this game is because the Saints are away from the Superdome and when they have had to travel they are 1-5 this season. This isn’t just this season that they have started this trend, the Saints have always been a completely different team when not in their cozy dome they like playing in. This will fare well for the Buccaneers who have made a big improvement playing in front of their fans this season from the 0-8 record they posted just a season ago.

The final reason I think the Buccaneers pull this one out is due to the fact that the Bucs only weakness I have seen offensively is being able to throw in the redzone and score TDs effectively. This has been the reason that Winston has had to run some in more than he and the coaching staff would probably like. Well guess what the Saints biggest weakness is? You got it. Giving up passing TD’s in the red zone. The Saints are number 31 in the league in passing defense while giving up a league high 35 touchdowns through just 12 games!! This is seven more touchdowns than the next closest.

With all of that being said, there is no reason the Buccaneers should not win their first obstacle between them and the playoffs this Sunday. Next comes the St. Louis Rams on a rare primetime game for the Buccaneers!

Next: Obstacle to Playoffs #2 St Louis Rams