The New Orleans Saints are clinging to their playoff lives as they travel to Tampa Bay to take on the first-place Buccaneers on New Year’s Eve this Sunday.
Last Thursday, the Saints had to travel on a short week to Los Angeles and face a hot Rams team. LA struck early and created a 30-7 lead in the second half. New Orleans battled back, getting it to within one score at 30-22, but ultimately fell. The loss hurt the Saints’ playoff chances significantly.
Now, the Saints head to Tampa with hopes of keeping the season alive. The Bucs control their own destiny in the division even without a win against New Orleans on Sunday.
PLAYOFF HOPES DWINDLING
The Saints no longer control their playoff destiny. The Bucs would win the NFC South with a win against New Orleans or a win against Carolina.
That means New Orleans needs help to make the playoffs even if they win their final two games. In the Wild Card race, teams like Minnesota, Seattle, Green Bay, and Los Angeles are worth monitoring, as the Saints need several of them to falter throughout the last two weeks.
All of those results are of course also dependent on the Saints winning their final two games. They must beat the Bucs and Falcons in the final two games to have a chance to make the playoffs.
SECONDARY TEST
Much like last week, New Orleans has to deal with several dynamic playmakers on the outside. Additionally, they likely have to do so without Marshon Lattimore.
The Buccaneers feature Mike Evans and Chris Godwin at the receiver position. Both are formidable and have given the Saints problems at different points in their careers.
The great equalizer for New Orleans has been Lattimore, who has had plenty of success against Evans. However, without Marshon in the lineup, Paulson Adebo and Isaac Yiadom will be asked to step up in this contest.
In the first matchup between these two teams, Godwin went off for over 100 yards. Evans was held below 50 yards but has been on a hot streak lately. Containing those two will be a big key to success for New Orleans.
QUARTERBACK COMPARISON
Both of these teams brought in new quarterbacks this season. The Saints signed Derek Carr and the Buccaneers signed Baker Mayfield.
The contracts that both quarterbacks agreed to were vastly different. Carr signed a four-year, $150 million deal with the Saints. Mayfield agreed to a one-year, $4 million contract with the Bucs. While the contracts were vastly different, the level of play has been fairly similar.
Both Mayfield and Carr are not near the top of the league in most statistical categories and have operated offenses that are near the middle of the pack in yardage. However, when comparing the two, it is hard to ignore the financial difference. Mayfield is likely to receive another contract with Tampa after this season, and we will see how close to Carr’s numbers Mayfield is able to collect.
SERIES RECORD: Saints lead 39-25
Last 5 meetings:
2023: TB 26 – NO 9
2022: TB 17 – NO 16
2022: TB 20 – NO 10
2021: NO 9 – TB 0
2021: NO 36 – TB 27
STAT LEADERS
SAINTS
Derek Carr: 329-488 3,417 yards, 19 TD, 8 INT
Alvin Kamara: 170 carries, 649 yards, 5 TD
Chris Olave: 81 catches, 1,041 yards, 4 TD
Carl Granderson: 8.5 sacks
Demario Davis: 108 tackles (67 solo)
Paulson Adebo: 4 INT
Blake Grupe: 25-of-32 field goals, Long of 55
BUCCANEERS
Baker Mayfield: 322-501 3,598 yards, 26 TD, 8 INT
Rachaad White: 242 carries, 873 yards, 6 TD
Mike Evans: 73 catches, 1,163 yards, 13 TD
Yaya Diaby: 6.5 sacks
Lavonte David: 113 tackles (77 solo)
Antoine Winfield, Jr: 3 INT
Chase McLaughlin: 26-of-28 field goals, Long of 57
NOTABLE INJURIES
SAINTS
Isaiah Foskey, DE, Quad, Questionable
Lonnie Johnson, S, Knee, Out
Kendre Miller, RB, Ankle, Questionable
Chris Olave, WR, Ankle, Unspecified
Ryan Ramczyk, T, Knee, Out
Cameron Jordan, DE, Ankle, Unspecified
Payton Turner, DE, Toe, Questionable
Alvin Kamara, RB, Illness, Questionable
Lou Hedley, P, Illness, Questionable
Erik McCoy, C, Foot, Unspecified
BUCCANEERS
Shaquill Barrett, LB, Groin, Out
Carlton Davis, CB, Concussion, Out
Mike Greene, DT, Calf, Out
Rakim Jarrett, WR, Quad, Out
Ko Kieft, TE, Shoulder, Out