New Orleans Saints give Tampa Bay Buccaneers chance to earn the division lead, again

by Sander on Oct 31, 2011 12:11 PM EDT

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up for play against the New Orleans Saints October 16, 2011 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Three weeks ago, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints faced off at Raymond James Stadium. Then, they played for the right the division lead. If the Saints won they would lead the division outright, while the Bucs would tie the Saints in record but beat them on the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Bucs won, took the division lead, and then squandered it in London one week later.

But after one bye week, the Bucs are in the same position. They face the Saints next weekend, and the winner of that game will own the division lead. Better yet, if the Bucs win that game they will have a 3-0 record in the division - two wins against the Saints, one against the Atlanta Falcons.

That has all been made possible by one freak game no one saw coming: the Saints lost to the winless St. Louis Rams yesterday. They didn't just lose, they were pummeled. At one point they were down 24-0.

The Rams figured out two things about the Saints: get to Drew Brees and you stop the passing game. Run the ball, and you kill their defense.

That sounds simple, but it isn't. Getting to Drew Brees is hard because he is extremely aware inside the pocket and his guards do an excellent job of giving him space to step up. This compensates for poor offensive tackle play, neutralizing many defensive ends. The key to getting to Brees is to get push up the middle, which allows the defensive ends to make an impact.

This is something the Rams did very well - but it's also something the Bucs can do, especially so if Gerald McCoy comes back for the upcoming game. Adrian Clayborn made New Orleans left tackle Jermon Bushrod look like a sign post last time, and he was a big reason why the Bucs won the last game.

The other factor in the Rams' win was Steven Jackson. He ran for a massive 159 yards and two touchdowns against New Orleans. Usually the Saints' defense doesn't need to defend the run, because Drew Brees gives them a sizable lead early in the game - but if Brees can't do that, the Saints' defense is in trouble.

Again, that's something the Bucs can replicate, and did the last time they played the Saints. Earnest Graham had a career day when Tampa Bay last beat New Orleans. Unfortunately, the veteran running back is now on injured reserve. Fortunately, Legarrette Blount should return against the Saints - which should certainly boost their run offense.

The Rams defeated the Saints with simple principles: pound the rock and get Brees on the ground. It's a formula the Bucs could easily replicate on Sunday.

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Comments

I've got a good feeling

McCoy and Blount coming back exactly when we need them the most. It’s going to be a toughly fought, close game. This is gut-check time for the Bucs. Win and we’re on top of the division and 3-0 in divisional games. Lose and we’re at .500.

by RookTakesYou on Oct 31, 2011 12:22 PM EDT reply actions

I'm really hoping Blount and McCoy are both ready to go

and by ready to go, I don’t just mean “they’re playing”. I hope they’re 100% or at least close.

This game will be harder than the last one, but I think we’ve got a great shot at winning it.

by aakks on Oct 31, 2011 12:28 PM EDT reply actions

I hope

Mccoy, Blount, Faine, Zuttah, Jackson, and Foster are ready to go 100%

by Carlitin1988 on Oct 31, 2011 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes to all of that

by aakks on Oct 31, 2011 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Absolutely

by RookTakesYou on Oct 31, 2011 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Uh huh

what you guys said

Rahiminik building a dynasty! Stephon Gilmore, Dre Kirkpatrick, Cliff Harris, JayRon Hoseley, Alfonzo Dennard, Morris Claiborne, Vontaze Burfict, or Mark Barron.. Are one of you guys the final piece to the puzzle here? Lots of QB's and OL this year, someone has to fall! ATL & NO don't have picks bwahahahaha

by freeman05 on Oct 31, 2011 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions

This means Blount has to get the rock 20+ times. Is that possible?

As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.

by Buc Wild on Oct 31, 2011 1:06 PM EDT reply actions

That is certainly possible from the stand point of I am sure Blount is capable of literally touching the football 20 times in one game....

Whether it is possible for Olson to pull his head out of his a$$ & call that many running plays is another story.

by RuudAwakening on Oct 31, 2011 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

It better be if the bucs want to win this game.

LGB needs at least 20 plus touches. Whether by run or catching the ball out of the backfield…. I want to see Blount in on third downs instead of lumpkin the bumpkin….

East Coast Fan

by Bucfan on Oct 31, 2011 1:27 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Yes please

As little Lumpkin as possible.

by aakks on Oct 31, 2011 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions

OMG no more Lumpkin

and please use Blount as the every down pig we all know he can be. He’s been working at it all off season we gotta see what he’s made of and no more important game to do so!

by freeman05 on Oct 31, 2011 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Blount on 3rd down = WIN

I’d rather see Blount fall down a few times in pass protection and drop a few passes- and LEARN from it- than see Lumpkin brought down after a catching a shovel pass five yards short of 1st down.

by RookTakesYou on Oct 31, 2011 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions

If we keep it close all game, it should be

If we fall in a hole, Olson might revert to his pass-happy ways. Which is why we NEED to keep it close or run away with it.

by RookTakesYou on Oct 31, 2011 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Any given Sunday???

Well gee. Can there really be that much parity in the NFL??? Every week some “powerhouse” team seems to lay a huge EGG. Honestly we have just as good a team as anyone….if we can put together a balanced attack.

Can the Saints really look like world beaters one week 62-7 and then lose to another 0-7 team the next. I guess that makes our struggles seem plausible.

We beat the Saints with a balanced attack….we lost to the Bears when our run game failed with an injury.

If Blount can come back and get 100+ yards I think we can win (against anyone). If JMC can have a good game and pressure the middle we can win.

It is impossible to predict much of anything at tis time. All I know is that so far Lumpkin has NOT been able to run the ball, block anyone in protection or do much of anything I have seen. I hope we can get our new little “scat” back a few chances and he can at least make the Saints pay attention to him and not just Blount.

And lets HOPE we can keep Benn on the feild. That does seem to be a key to the pass game. Once he makes a play or two everyone else gets open.

Stating the obvious but hey not sure our “play caller” is awake. Oh and Carolina is the best 2-6 team I have seen. They will start winning the close games…let’s hope it’s NOT against us.

GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Take advantage of the chances we keep getting.

by Steven Graves on Oct 31, 2011 2:01 PM EDT reply actions

Well put!!!

Agreed, coaches need to get Benn on the field, PERIOD>>>>>>>>>>>>>

East Coast Fan

by Bucfan on Oct 31, 2011 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah, theres no excuse why he shouldnt be on the field.

by Carlitin1988 on Oct 31, 2011 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions

The key to beating the Saints is...

Running the ball, and bringing pressure on Brees because they cant run the ball either. Brees is off this year as well. Freeman has to come out aggressive. Take some deep shots and get that confidence early.

by dcbucsfan on Oct 31, 2011 4:43 PM EDT reply actions

Agree with you..

Establishing the run with LGB should be priority number one.

East Coast Fan

by Bucfan on Oct 31, 2011 6:31 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Oh yes.

by dcbucsfan on Oct 31, 2011 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions

That's the blueprint

And if the Rams managed it, why can’t we with Blount and McCoy?

by RookTakesYou on Oct 31, 2011 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions

We did it two weeks ago too.

We should win this if we play how we are supposed to.

by dcbucsfan on Oct 31, 2011 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions

They're not protecting Brees.

by Brooklyn Buc on Oct 31, 2011 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Believe it or not ....

We need aquib talib to man up this week in take #12 out the game .
Then we need to double jimmy graham with quincy black & sean jones .
Ej biggers need to contain or limit # 16 .
Let tanard jackson play read & react all day .
Get pressure on #9 , With a variety of guys from clayborn,mccoy,price,bennet/bowers , As well as hayes,foster,& barber .

by RIP SEAN TAYLOR 21 on Oct 31, 2011 5:03 PM EDT reply actions