It's hard to overstate just how rough the last 10 days have been for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The team lost a heartbreaker in Atlanta last Thursday night, but didn't return home to Tampa for long before needing to evacuate with Hurricane Milton barreling toward the coast. Everyone headed to New Orleans on Tuesday, ahead of the storm and much earlier than the team typically travels to away games.
Off-field issues will be on everyone's mind Sunday, as thoughts remain with those in Tampa who are still dealing with the fallout from Milton. Mike Evans stated that the team will be playing for more than just a normal win on Sunday, and his sentiment of wanting to give fans something to cheer about extends well beyond simply washing the taste of last Thursday's loss to the Falcons out of everyone's mouth.
Getting a win on Sunday won't be easy, as playing the Saints never is. Things are trending Tampa's way, though, as rookie Spencer Rattler is set to make the first start of his career, and the Buccaneers are expected to have Calijah Kancey and Antoine Winfield Jr. back on defense. Luke Godeke is set to return, and while Rachaad White is doubtful to play the Bucs will likely showcase Bucky Irving in a starting role.
If anyone is worried about a rookie going off, it should be the Saints and Irving avenging his fumble from last week and taking it out on their defense.
Announcers for Buccaneers vs. Saints Week 6
For the first time this season, Adam Amin and Greg Olsen will be in the booth calling a Buccaneers game. It's the fifth FOX broadcast Tampa Bay has been a part of, with the only other game being last week's matchup which was on Amazon Prime. Next week the Bucs will be in primetime again, with the Baltimore Ravens coming to Tampa for a Monday Night Football showdown that will feature Joe Buck and Troy Aikman.
Part of the reason for the Bucs having played five FOX games but only cycled through three announcing crews is due ot Kevin Kugler and Daryl Johnston getting back-to-back games to start the season.
Referees for Buccaneers vs. Saints
Head Referee (Crew Chief)
Clete Blakeman and his crew will be officiating the game on Sunday in New Orleans. It marks the 15th game involving the Buccaneers that Blakeman will be working, with Tampa Bay having a 6-8 record in those contests.
More granularly, Tampa Bay is 0-3 in games against the Saints where Blakeman is an official. The last time he was working a Bucs game was back in Week 18 of last season where Tampa Bay won to clinch a third straight NFC South title.
That was a game against Carolina, so hopefully the vibes remain the same and Tampa Bay can finally break it's losing streak against the Saints in Blakeman officiated games.
Full Officiating Crew
Here's the rest of Clete Blakeman's crew who will be working the game in New Orleans on Sunday.
- Umpire: Scott Campbell
- Down Judge: Dana McKenzie
- Line Judge: Julian Mapp
- Side Judge: James Coleman
- Field Judge: Karina Tovar
- Back Judge: Jonah Monroe
Buccaneers vs. Saints TV channel and start time
Fans who are able to access the television broadcast can flip over to FOX, where Adam Amin and Greg Olsen will be on the call for their first Bucs game of the year. It's a doubleheader day on FOX as well, with the Lions-Cowboys game airing in the late window.
Tom Brady will be on the call for that game, while CBS will have the Raiders-Steelers game in the same window.
- Date: Sunday, October 13, 2024
- Start Time: 1 pm ET
- Location: Caesars Superdome | New Orleans, LA
- TV Channel: FOX
- Announcers: Adam Amin, Greg Olsen
- Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket | Fubo (Locally)
- Radio: WXTB 97.9 FM | More Radio Affiliates
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