Know Your Enemy: Buccaneers vs. Saints

What problems do you feel the Buccaneers will cause the Saints? Is there a certain player or match-up that you think the Saints may have an issue stopping?

Mike Evans is obviously an easy answer here. The Saints have Delvin Breaux, their closest thing to a lockdown corner. But Breaux is still shaking some rust off after missing most of the season with a broken fibula. And Mike Evans has, from what I understand, taken his game to the next level for Tampa Bay. I doubt the Saints will be able to shut him down. That said, when Breaux is on his game, he can really play. He’s so strong at the line of scrimmage. He makes it hard to receivers to get out of their breaks. And while he may not be able to shut Evans down, he may be able to contain him.

I’m going to answer a slightly different question, if you don’t mind: there is a match-up that I believe, if the Bucs can win, will make the difference in the game. And that’s along the Tampa Bay defensive line. The Saints offense struggled mightily against the Lions last week, almost entirely due to consistent pressure on Drew Brees. If you can get pressure on Brees without selling out in coverage, you’ll have success.

This offensive line has, at times, played very well. But Jahri Evans has slowed as the season progressed, and so long as Terron Armstead is out there are some holes along the line. Even when he plays, Armstead hasn’t been his typically dominant self. From what I understand, your pass rush has played very well of late. If they can keep that up on Sunday, it’ll be a long day for the Saints.