bucks at saints
when: Sunday, October 1, 2023 | where: Caesars Superdome | kick off: 1:00 PM ET | tv set: Fox
For each play: Chris Myers | Analyst: Robert Smith | Side job: Jen Hale
wireless: 98 Rock 97.9FM | For each play: Gene Deckerhoff Analyst: Dave Moore | Side job: TJ Rives
As game day approaches, it’s time for the Pewter Report staff to make their weekly game predictions and provide game previews for this week’s matchups. Let us know what you think in the comment section of the article. Please also add your predictions.
Scott Reynolds: Bucs pass rush reaches Jameis Winston
All eyes will be on Mike Evans and Marshon Lattimore in the seventh round of their heavyweight bout. The two sides have been competing head-to-head since 2017. But the real clash will take place in the trenches between the two sides. saint Offensive line and Bucs defensive front. Both units are licking their wounds. New Orleans’ offensive line has allowed 12 sacks in three games, including last week’s sack that knocked out quarterback Derek Carr.
Bucks WR Mike Evans – Photo courtesy of USA Today
After recording six sacks against Justin Fields in Week 2, the Bucs defense barely got to Jalen Hurts on Monday night. Tampa Bay’s only sack came after Hurts stumbled on a play. They will want to make up for and atone for the lack of pressure on Monday. Joe Tryon-Soyinka needs to show he can dominate left tackle Trevor Penning, who isn’t very good.
The Bucks should be able to take advantage of this. Saints offensive line full of holes Then he sacked Jameis Winton and forced an interception. That’s the key to this week’s game. But Tampa Bay’s pass rush will have to be smart, as New Orleans has a dangerous screen game featuring Alvin Kamara back from suspension. Going too far with Winston could leave the Bucks defense vulnerable to a big game from Kamara. Not having Devin White and Vita Vea at full strength doesn’t help them up front.
Offensively, Evans needs to stay in control, but he needs to use his hands instead of throwing punches to catch touchdowns. Evans cannot afford to allow Lattimore to be penalized and ejected from the game again. Baker Mayfield needs to be turnover-free again, and Rashard White and the offensive line need to produce in the running game. Another complete performance from Chase McLaughlin should give the Bucks a close three-point win, a 3-1 record heading into the bye week, and a 1-0 start in the NFC South.
Reynolds game prediction: Bucks 20, Saints 17
Reynolds season record: 3-0
Matt Matera: “If the Bucks win the turnover battle, they win the game”
The game isn’t even being played in Tampa on Sunday, but you can still feel the tension building in the city for the Bucks-Saints game. Boxing and he doesn’t have the same big fight atmosphere as the UFC. We are feeling it in soccer, too, in this fierce rivalry. Bringing Jameis Winston back to the team and throwing in the ever-fierce Baker Mayfield for his first trip to divisional play could create even more fireworks.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
The two former Heisman Trophy winners and No. 1 overall picks will never face each other on the field at the same time, but their ability to control the turnover battle may be most important. Both have a tendency to play “hero ball” and sometimes try too hard to get their team back into the game when they’re on the back foot. That means they are more likely to turn the ball over, something Bucks fans are familiar with with Winston.
If Mayfield can play turnover-free football, the Bucks should win. They are already 2-0 after winning the turnover battle this season. It wasn’t easy for Tampa Bay to establish a win, but the Bucs will no longer face the Eagles. I’m not saying he’ll run for 175 yards, but I believe he’ll improve significantly on the ground.
Although the pass rush was unable to return home on Monday, the Bucs still have a respectable nine sacks this season. The Saints’ offensive line wasn’t as strong as it once was, allowing 12 sacks through three games, which led to Derek Carr’s injury. The Bucs need to take advantage of this and get a quarterback on defense Sunday.
Todd Bowles will blitz when needed, but I like the idea of the Bucs adding more defensive backs with different looks to change up the defense. I expect Zion McCollum to come close in his first start and make his first interception of the season. It’s never easy in the Big Easy, but I’m picking the Bucks to win on the road.
Matera Prediction: Bucks 24, Saints 18
Matera’s season record: 2-1
Bailey Adams: Bucks win 3rd straight against Saints
Bucks head coach Todd Bowles – Photo courtesy of USA Today
I guess we should call this a difficult game because the Saints’ quarterback position is not clear. But this past week, I haven’t felt that feeling at all. I expect Jameis Winston to be used under center in New Orleans, and I think the Bucks can force him into some mistakes and run enough offense to come away with a win. And I thought, even if Derek Carr suits up, it’s hard to imagine him being anywhere near 100% after spraining the AC joint in his pitching shoulder just seven days ago.
I think the Bucs are prepared to beat either of the Saints’ quarterbacks to go 3-1 and at least share the lead in the NFC South heading into the early bye week. It’s not just Winston’s turnover tendencies or Kerr’s shaky health that gives me confidence in Tampa Bay’s team this week.
The Bucs have been pretty good at attacking the passer this year. They have a strong rotation of edge rushers, some linebackers, and safeties with elite blitzing ability. And if Vita Vea is healthy and able to play, he will cause trouble in midfield. New Orleans’ offensive line is certainly not Philadelphia’s. The Saints have allowed 12 sacks in three games, and Todd Bowles’ defense needs to show that.
Offensively, I like how the Bucs run the ball well this week. The Saints have a top-10 run defense, but it’s not the league-leading unit the Eagles brought to town last week. Between Rashard White’s strong performance, Baker Mayfield’s more explosive play, and Chris Godwin’s more involvement, I think Dave Canales’ offense is good enough to win this game.
This would be another complementary football type win for the Bucks. The Bucks need to continue to score points while limiting their own. If they can do that and contain the returning Alvin Kamara, they will secure their third straight victory over the Saints.
Adams’ game prediction: Bucks 24, Saints 20
Adams season record: 3-0
Josh Quaipo: Bucks start losing streak with narrow loss
Bucks WR Mike Evans and Saints S. Marcus Maye – Photo courtesy of USA Today
We’re three weeks into the 2023 season, and it’s not the time to have hard conversations about the Bucks…yet. But it’s about time to ask some uncomfortable questions. Offensive coordinator Dave Canales said Thursday he will continue to be stubborn when it comes to running the ball. The uncomfortable question that needs to be asked is will he at least change where he runs the ball?
Later that night, the Lions ran David Montgomery 32 times for 121 yards, averaging less than four yards per carry. For most of the match, that average was close to 3. No one complained that their strategy did not yield results, as Montgomery often gained three yards when only two were needed. Can Canales follow this model and find even greater success from a struggling run game? I have a doubt.
The second uncomfortable question has to do with the Bucks’ lack of defensive depth. The Eagles exposed it. The Saints have the ability to do the same.
At this point, I’m very concerned about what the answers to these questions are likely to be. The Saints will be without starting quarterback Derek Carr, giving the Bucs a chance to be a puncher. But with the weapons the Saints would use (running back Alvin Kamara, receivers Michael Thomas and Chris Olave), they could match the hard-hitting Bucs’ back seven. I think the Saints can clear the 20-point hurdle that the Bucks offense has yet to reach this season. .
Quipo’s game prediction: Saints 23, Bucks 20
Quipo season record: 3-0
Adam Slivon: Bucks survive and beat Saints in Superdome
Heading into Week 4, the Bucs are poised to take on the Saints in their first of many NFC South rivals.
Bucks ILB Devin White – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
They probably lined up with them at the right time, as Derek Carr is officially questionable with a right shoulder injury. If he does play, it’s unlikely he’ll be 100 percent, and if he doesn’t, the Bucks’ defense will be facing Jameis Winston.
No matter who is under center, he will be a good opponent for the defense, who will continue to get takeaways even with injuries. Jamel Dean and Kaliyah Kanci are out, and Carlton Davis III, Vita Vea and Devin White are questionable. If the latter trio does well, they should throw in enough chips to cause problems.
Alvin Kamara returns as a running back, but hasn’t averaged more than four yards per carry since 2020. The offensive line hasn’t improved, and the Bucs’ front seven is much more likely to generate pressure than it was against the Eagles.
In response, it only gives Baker Mayfield and the offense more chances to string together scoring drives. With New Orleans’ secondary lacking Marshon Lattimore, Chris Godwin will be the X-factor in this game. Godwin hasn’t found the end zone yet, but he believes he will find it this week.
Up front, New Orleans lacks experience other than Cam Jordan, who has been quiet this season. If Luke Goedeke can neutralize him, that should open up a lot of lanes for Rashard White to find the kind of success the team (and fans) have been waiting for for a long time.
This game is a chance for the Bucks to build momentum heading into the bye week. On paper, Tampa Bay has the advantage in terms of talent, and with the Saints having concerns at quarterback, Tampa Bay looks poised to take the lead and start the season 3-1. .
Slivong’s game prediction: Bucks 24, Saints 13
Srivong season record: 3-0
