Buccaneers: Key matchups to watch vs. New Orleans Saints

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers face the New Orleans Saints to open up the season. If they have any hope of winning, they need to win these three on-field matchups.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter Week One as huge underdogs as they head to New Orleans. The Saints fell just short of an NFC Championship appearance and are poised to repeat as NFC South Division champions.

The Buccaneers, on the other hand, are entering the 2018 season with both their head coach and starting quarterback on the hot seat. If Tampa Bay cannot get back into contention, there may be significant changes made when the season is over.

Starting the season off on a winning note would be a massive victory for the season as a whole. Tampa has no expectations and is an afterthought in the NFC playoff race. Knocking off a top-tier team like New Orleans would raise eyebrows.

Here are three matchups the Buccaneers need to win if they are to beat the Saints.

Drew Brees vs. the secondary

In his career, Drew Brees has thrown for more touchdowns against the Buccaneers than any other team. With Brent Grimes now listed as doubtful on the Bucs injury report, the secondary will face a massive test against one of the league’s best quarterbacks.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

With former Saint De’Vante Harris also doubtful, a pair of rookies will be asked to play significant roles to open the season. Carlton Davis and M.J. Stewart will be on the field a ton against Brees. Look for the veteran field general to try and attack the rookies early.

If the secondary can slow down the destructive New Orleans passing attack, the Bucs can stay competitive on Sunday.

Alvin Kamara vs. the Buccaneers front seven

The new-look Bucs front seven faces a tough test. Alvin Kamara burst onto the scene last season with a season worthy of the Rookie of the Year Award.

While the short-staffed secondary has their hands full with Brees, the Buccaneer front seven needs to keep Kamara contained. Although Brees will put up his numbers, a one-dimensional offense can be figured out. If Kamara is running wild, the Tampa defense will get torn apart.

In his two games against the Bucs last season, Kamara scored three touchdowns with 280 yards from scrimmage. Even though Mark Ingram won’t be playing in Sunday’s matchup, Kamara alone is a dangerous weapon for New Orleans.

Bucs tackles vs. Saints pass rush

Thankfully, left tackle Donovan Smith will be playing for the Buccaneers. Smith will be matched up with rookie Marcus Davenport in passing situations and will be called upon to keep Ryan Fitzpatrick upright.

Smith likely won’t be at full health, but he can play banged up. He hasn’t missed a single game in his career.

Across from Smith will be veteran Demar Dotson. Back at full health after offseason surgery, Dotson has Cameron Jordan to look forward to on Sunday. Jordan is coming off of an All-Pro campaign where he rattled off 13.5 sacks, 2.5 of which came against Tampa Bay.

Smith and Dotson are a solid pair of tackles, but Jordan can wreck an entire offense. Fitzpatrick is pretty mobile but keeping him in protected in the pocket will cut down on his interceptions.

The Bucs are sure to go to the air a lot against New Orleans. Marshon Lattimore is a shutdown corner, but the rest of the defense is exploitable through the air. Both O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate are mismatches for the subpar New Orleans linebackers.

Giving Fitzpatrick enough time to deliver the ball down the field is the key. Smith and Dotson need to handle the pressure.