Bucs vs. Saints
4:15 p.m., Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
Radio: 620-AM, 103.5 FM
Line/over-under: Saints by 5; 49½
| Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14 | Week 15 | Week 16 | Week 17 |
| Lions Lions 27, Bucs 20 (0-1) |
at Vikings Bucs 24 Vikings 20 (1-1) |
Falcons Bucs 16, Falcons 13 (2-1) |
Colts Bucs 24, Colts 17 (3-1) |
at 49ers 49ers 48, Bucs 3 (3-2) |
Saints 4:15 p.m. today |
Bears # 1 p.m. Oct. 23, Ch. 13 |
at Saints 1 p.m. Nov. 6, 1 p.m. |
Texans 1 p.m. Nov. 13, Ch. 10 * |
at Packers 1 p.m. Nov. 20, Ch. 13 |
at Titans 1 p.m. Nov. 27, Ch. 13 |
Panthers 1 p.m. Dec. 4, Ch. 13 * |
at Jaguars 1 p.m. Dec. 11, Ch. 13 |
Cowboys 8:20 p.m. Dec. 17, NFL * |
at Panthers 1 p.m. Dec. 24, Ch. 13 |
at Falcons 1 p.m. Jan. 1, Ch. 13 |
The poll
Who had the worst day in San Francisco?
Greg Olson: 13 percent
Dekoda Watson: 4 percent
Gerald McCoy: 3 percent
LeGarrette Blount: 2 percent
Total: 644 votes
By the numbers
0.5 Touchdown-to-interception ratio for the Bucs' Josh Freeman, worst in the NFL
3 Consecutive games in which the Saints' Drew Brees has thrown for at least 350 yards; no one in NFL history has had four consecutive
5 Consecutive games against the Bucs in which Brees has thrown for fewer than 300 yards (average of 240)
81 Consecutive games in which Bucs tight end Kellen Winslow has a reception
What they're saying
Wow. Losing by 45 to a team that was averaging only 23 points over the first four weeks is a major concern, and it doesn't get any easier with New Orleans on the docket two out of the next three games.
Brian Billick Fox Sports
If you've watched Josh Freeman and Mike Williams this season, you might be wondering if the key members of Tampa Bay's passing game have lost their confidence. If you talk to the quarterback and wide receiver, you'll quickly find out that's not the case. In fact, the problem might be just the opposite. "This week, you're going to see the old Mike Williams back,'' Williams said. No one who talks in the third person can be accused of having a lack of confidence. Freeman's not the type to go third person on you, but he'll flat out tell you that having too much confidence has been part of the reason he's already thrown as many interceptions (six) as he did all last season.
Pat Yasinskas ESPN.com
The picks
Weird stat of the weekend: While the Bucs have split their last four with the Saints, the oddity is that those two wins have come at the Superdome. Drew Brees must like the great outdoors. In Tampa, the Saints have won 38-7 and 31-6 in the last two years. Two reasons this one should be closer for the Bucs: embarrassment (after losing by 45 last week in San Francisco) and a better defensive line. It won't be enough to hold down Brees. Saints, 30-23.
Peter King Sports Illustrated
This is a big early division game for both teams. The Bucs are coming off a horrible showing in San Francisco, but the Saints are playing consecutive road division games. That's tough. The Bucs pushed the Saints around in a late-season victory in 2010, and I look for more of that here. The Bucs regroup for an upset victory as Josh Freeman gets it going after a bad game last week. Bucs, 24-23.
Pete Prisco CBS Sportsline
Josh Freeman: 52 percent
Raheem Morris: 26 percent
Loading...