The Pewter Plank
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How Do the Buccaneers Keep Up With the Saints?

By Alan Schechter

Dec 4, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) reacts as he comes off the field after a 28-21 win over the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) reacts as he comes off the field after a 28-21 win over the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 4, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) against the Detroit Lions during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Lions defeated the Saints 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) against the Detroit Lions during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Lions defeated the Saints 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Ground the Saints

The New Orleans Saints boast one of the NFL’s very best offenses and will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing game last week against Detroit. Drew Brees didn’t throw a touchdown pass in that game, but he’s thrown 30 on the season already and is approaching an 11th straight season with over 4000 yards. Brandin Cooks, Michael Thomas, Willie Snead and Coby Fleener are all threats and the Bucs offense must be prepared to match them point for point in what could be a high scoring game.

The best way for them to go about that is to keep the Saints offense off the field for as long as possible. Since returning from injury Doug Martin has yet to have a game that he’s capable of, and this would be the perfect week for it. Establishing a consistently effective running game to chew clock and rest the Buccaneer defense is critical and quarterback Jameis Winston is at his best when the running game is functioning. Between Doug Martin, Jacquizz Rogers and returning Charles Sims the Bucs should have plenty of fire power in the run game to dominate time of possession and come away with a fifth straight victory.

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