Buccaneers vs Saints: Preview, Where to Watch and Listen
By Bailey Adams
The Buccaneers (7-5) are on a roll. With sights set on increasing their playoff chances, they host the New Orleans Saints (5-7) this Sunday at 4:25. Here, we preview the matchup and tell you where to watch and listen to it.
Sunday might be the biggest home game in years for the Buccaneers, as they host the division rival Saints at 4:25. These two teams will be meeting twice in the next three weeks, with the return trip to New Orleans coming on December 24. The Bucs control their own playoff destiny, so they need to keep things going this week.
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Tampa Bay picked up a 28-21 road win over San Diego last Sunday, helped by two interceptions and a fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Jameis Winston to Cameron Brate. There wasn’t a whole lot of running for the Bucs, but Winston and the defense played well enough to get a fourth straight win. The victory gave Tampa Bay a two-game sweep of its games in California. It also set up a big-time home game this week, as the team currently sits in a playoff spot with four games to go.
The Saints needed a win last week to stay in the mix for the playoffs. They didn’t get it, but they aren’t completely out of the picture just yet. They fell 28-13 at home against the Lions, failing to get much going on offense. Detroit not only kept Drew Brees out of the end zone, but it also intercepted him three times. New Orleans might be a playoff longshot at this point, but Sean Payton‘s team surely won’t fold up and tank the rest of the season.
The Bucs got hit hard with injuries last week. Cecil Shorts is out for the year, leaving the team short at wide receiver. Chris Conte (chest), Adam Humphries (concussion), Demar Dotson (concussion) and Luke Stocker (ankle) are all out this Sunday. Additionally, Evan Smith (knee) and Gerald McCoy (foot) are questionable, but McCoy is fully expected to play. The Saints have eight players listed as questionable. Most notable among the eight are running back Mark Ingram (toe/knee) and wide receiver Michael Thomas (foot).
When these two teams last met in week 13 of the 2015 season, the Saints handed the Bucs a 24-17 loss in Tampa. That meant a split in the 2015 season series after Tampa Bay had won the first meeting in week two. Overall, the Bucs trail the all-time regular season series 30-18.
Where to Watch
Sunday’s kickoff was flexed from 1:00 to 4:25, with Fox picking up the broadcast. Play-by-play duties will go to Thom Brennaman, while Charles Davis and Chris Spielman take the color commentary. Peter Schrager will have reports from the sideline.
Where to Listen
Of course, the game can be heard in the Tampa Bay area on 103.5 FM or 620 AM. The broadcast will be delivered by the team of Gene Deckerhoff (play-by-play), Dave Moore (commentary) and T.J. Rives (sideline). For other radio options around the state of Florida, check here. Fans can also hear the game on Buccaneers.com or the Buccaneers mobile app.
Satellite radio subscribers can hear the Tampa Bay broadcast on Sirius 83. New Orleans’ broadcast will be on Sirius 145.
Next: Buccaneers vs Saints: Five Game-Changing Players
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