Bucs-Saints Prediction Roundup
Dec 24, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White (45) celebrates a sack against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports
The Buccaneers have an opportunity to accomplish their main regular season goal by taking down one of their most hated rivals on Sunday. It’s time to take a look around at what some of those in the football community are predicting will happen in the divisional matchup.
ESPN:
Eric Moody’s pick: Buccaneers 30, Saints 26
Seth Walder’s pick: Saints 26, Buccaneers 20
FPI prediction: NO, 51.8% (by an average of 0.7 points)
Bucs Nation Staff:
Gil Arcia says “Both of these teams seem to always give it their all against one another. One could be undefeated, the other can be winless and this matchup could end with the winning team winning by just a score. And in those games, the battle at the line of scrimmage always proves to be crucial. Expect both to get after one another with the Saints edging out the Bucs as they sack Mayfield three times and force him into committing two turnovers.”
James Yarcho says “So, this is fun. Mike Evans – who was playing well against the Saints in Week 4 before leaving with a hamstring injury – is two touchdown receptions away from a career high. Meanwhile, Baker Mayfield is two touchdown passes away from his own career high. Can you imagine a better way for both players to reach those milestones than together, against a division rival, in a game that would send the Bucs to the postseason for the fourth straight year? I can’t. So, that’s how it will unfold. Baker and Evans connect for the first two touchdowns the Bucs score on Sunday and reach personal bests on the same play.”
Mike Kiwak: says “It really can’t be overstated how radical Tampa’s turnaround has been in these last 6 weeks or so. Declared dead in the water by many, and reasonably so, this roster never wavered. Winners of 5 of their last 7, the Bucs can clinch at home against a chaotically hot-and-cold Saints team that they creamed in Week 4. It won’t be easy, but I think Baker keeps his hot streak going for at least one more game as he throws 3 touchdowns in an exciting Bucs win; a win that clinches their 3rd consecutive division title.”
NOLA.com (Rod Walker):
Walker says: “The Saints’ postseason hopes are hanging on by a thread, while the Bucs are peaking at the right time. Dennis Allen is 0-3 against the Bucs since taking over as Saints’ head coach last season. Don’t expect that to change as Bucs clinch their third straight NFC South title.” Buccaneers 27, Saints 14.
Sporting News:
Bob Christ writes: “Tampa Bay does have a weak rushing offense, with a league-low norm of 3.4 [yards per carry], but the Saints aren’t exactly high-powered. They’re next lowest at 3.6. So, it’s likely going to come down to the passing games. The edge goes to Mayfield and the Bucs.”
Here at The Noise we expect the recent offensive fireworks to be toned down and Sunday to be a more hard-fought defensive divisional game. Look for Baker Mayfield to finally get rolling in the second half after a slow start and Mike Evans to come up with a big game and some huge late catches to give the Buccaneers a 20-17 win and their third straight divisional title.
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