The Bucs aren't playing great, and they definitely have been way too sloppy on both sides of the ball. The Saints have some defensive weaknesses, but unless the Bucs can get out of their own way, it won't matter. Look for Saints quarterback Drew Brees to make the Bucs pay dearly for not sustaining drives.
Probable starters
Bucs offense
WR: Mike Williams 19
LT: Donald Penn 70
LG: Jeremy Zuttah 76
C: Jeff Faine 52
RG: Davin Joseph 75
RT: Jeremy Trueblood 65
TE: Kellen Winslow 82
WR: Arrelious Benn 17
QB: Josh Freeman 5
RB: Earnest Graham 34
FB: Erik Lorig 44
Bucs defense
LDE: Michael Bennett 71
DT: Frank Okam 98
DT: Brian Price 92
RDE: Adrian Clayborn 94
SLB: Quincy Black 58
MLB: Mason Foster 59
WLB: Geno Hayes 54
LCB: Aqib Talib 25
RCB: Ronde Barber 20
SS: Sean Jones 26
FS: Corey Lynch 41
special teams
P: Michael Koenen 9
PK: Connor Barth 10
KO: Michael Koenen 9
PR/KR: Preston Parker 87
Saints offense
WR: Devery Henderson 19
LT: Jermon Bushrod 74
LG: Carl Nicks 77
C: Matt Tennant 65
RG: Jahri Evans 73
RT: Charles Brown 71
TE: Jimmy Graham 80
WR: Lance Moore 16
QB: Drew Brees 9
RB: Pierre Thomas 23
FB: Korey Hall 35
Saints defense
LDE: Turk McBride 90
DT: Aubrayo Franklin 99
DT: Sedrick Ellis 98
RDE: Jeff Charleston 97
SLB: Scott Shanle 58
MLB: Jonathan Vilma 51
WLB: Martez Wilson 95
LCB: Jabari Greer 33
RCB: Tracy Porter 22
SS: Roman Harper 41
FS: Malcolm Jenkins 27
Special teams
P: Thomas Morstead 6
PK/KO: John Kasay 2
KR: Devery Henderson 19
PR: Darren Sproles 43
Stat pack
4:15 p.m., Raymond James Stadium, Tampa | Radio: 620-AM, 103.5-FM | Line, O/U: Saints by 5, 49½
Saints' best offensive player
Drew Brees, right, is the engine that keeps the Saints humming, teaming with aggressive play-caller Sean Payton to rip defenses leaguewide. Brees will throw early and often. He leads the NFL in pass attempts and completions. And he's great under pressure. His third-down passer rating is 149.9 — also tops in the NFL.
Saints' best defensive player
Jonathan Vilma has been the heart and soul of the Saints defense for four seasons while establishing himself as one of the game's best middle linebackers. He has surpassed 100 tackles in six of the past seven seasons and is on pace to get there again.
The Bucs must avoid …
Another early deficit. As the schedule intensifies — Saints twice, Bears, Texans and Packers in their next five games — it becomes increasingly difficult to overcome them. The Bucs fell behind 21-3 against the solid 49ers midway through the second quarter last week, and the game was all but over.
What the Saints do best
Play with offensive tempo. Because Drew Brees is so adept at running the offense, the Saints keep defenses guessing. It's why they have so many explosive plays. At the same time, those plays generally involve high-percentage throws. At 69.4, the Saints trail only the Packers in completion percentage.
You can beat the Saints if …
You keep their offense on the sideline, preventing it from getting into a rhythm. The Bucs, like most teams, will struggle if they attempt to win a shootout with the Saints. Coach Raheem Morris has conceded 300-yard passing games are probable when it comes to Drew Brees. So this is one of those days when a good offense really could be the best defense.
Prediction Saints 27, Bucs 21
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Bucs
saints
110.8 (16th)
115.4 (14th)
123.4 (24th)
107.6 (15th)
225.8 (20th)
336.6 (2nd)
254.6 (20th)
247.0 (16th)
336.6 (20th)
452.0 (2nd)
378.0 (23rd)
354.6 (16th)
Injury report
BUCS — Out: DT Gerald McCoy (ankle), TE Luke Stocker (knee), WR Sammie Stroughter (foot). Doubtful: RB LeGarrette Blount (knee). Questionable: LB Zac Diles (hamstring), LB Mason Foster (ankle). Probable: LB Quincy Black (ankle), T James Lee (knee), CB Aqib Talib (knee).
Saints — Out: LB Will Herring (hamstring), T Zach Strief (knee), TE David Thomas (concussion). Probable: TE John Gilmore (neck), WR Devery Henderson (calf), LB Jonathan Vilma (knee), LB Martez Wilson (neck).
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