NFL Week 1 preview: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints
By Rob Leeds
While these teams are usually known for their offensive firepower, both of these teams could finish the 2020 season top-10 defensively. The Buccaneers and the Saints also have comparable defenses, although the Saints still edge their division rivals out.
The Buccaneer inside linebackers are the best in the NFL, and their entire linebacker group makes a compelling case as the best unit in the league if Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul can match last year’s production.
Cameron Jordan is the lead man for the Saints defense, and he is a force of nature. Barrett put together a great 2019 season, but even that falls short of the fact that Jordan has maintained his insane production levels year after year.
As far as the secondaries are concerned, the Buccaneers have the depth, but the Saints have the best individual corner. Marshon Lattimore gets the nod over Carlton Davis, although just slightly. Davis performed at an under-rated level last season, and he could emerge as one of the top corners in the NFL this season.
While the Saints are slightly better against the pass, Tampa Bay had the best run defense in football last season, and if they maintain that level of play, they could be far better against the run. Kamara and the Saints will struggle against the run far more than the Bucs will against the pass, which will create an exciting game scenario.