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The Buccaneers and Saints have no love lost between the two. From sideline fights to overzealous post game handshakes between head coaches, these two teams just flat out don’t like one another.
For the past few seasons, neither team has really had the upper hand head to head. In fact, since Jameis Winston was drafted, the Bucs and Saints have split their season series each year. Before that, the Saints rattled off seven wins in a row.
The Saints lead the all-time match-up with a record of 33-21 and have the longest winning streak of the two with that previously mentioned seven games from 2011-2014. Since becoming division rivals, the Saints lead the all time series 20-14.
The Buccaneers, of course, got their first ever franchise victory over the Archie Manning led Saints team back in December of 1977, snapping their 26-game losing streak to start the franchise off.
In his career, Jameis Winston is 3-4 against the Saints with 1,493 yards passing, seven touchdowns, six interceptions, has been sacked sixteen times, and holds a 57.4% completion percentage. Receiver Mike Evans has 36 receptions for 533 yards and three touchdowns in nine career games, sitting at 4-5 in those contests.
Teddy Bridgewater gets the nod with Drew Brees still out with a thumb injury. Bridgewater has played the Buccaneers just once in his career, going 24-42 passing with 241 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions, and being sacked once. That was back in his rookie season in 2014 where the Vikings emerged victorious.
The guys to watch out for are Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara. Thomas has 47 receptions for 533 yards and and one touchdown in five career games against the Buccaneers while Kamara has kicked in 192 yards on 32 carries as well as 316 yards on 26 receptions with six total touchdowns in four career games against the Bucs.
The Saints are three point favorites at home as they take on the Buccaneers for the first of two times this season. The winner of the game will be in first place in the NFC South to kick off the second quarter of the season.