New Orleans is set to face off against Tampa Bay this Sunday during an afternoon matchup at 1 p.m. EST, broadcasted on FOX. The Buccaneers, with a record of 9-7, are currently favored by 13.5 points over the struggling Saints, who stand at 5-11. Historically, the Saints hold the advantage in their series, leading 40-26. However, recent trends indicate that the Saints are 6-10 against the spread while the Buccaneers have performed better at 10-6. In their most recent encounter, the Buccaneers triumphed over the Saints, winning 51-27 on October 13, 2024.

Last week, New Orleans suffered a setback, losing to the Raiders 25-10, while Tampa Bay had a more successful outing, decisively beating the Panthers 48-14. The statistics reveal the contrasting performances of both teams; the Saints rank 20th in overall offense, with 14th in rushing and 24th in passing. Their scoring unit holds the 23rd spot in the league. Defensively, the Saints are struggling, particularly against the run and passing attacks, being ranked 30th in overall defense and scoring. Conversely, the Buccaneers boast a powerful offense that ranks 3rd overall, with 4th in rushing and scoring. Their passing game is also strong, similarly ranked 3rd overall. Tampa Bay’s defense, while not stellar, has shown moments of strength, sitting at 21st in overall defense.

For the Saints, rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler will be starting for the sixth time, stepping in for the injured Derek Carr. Rattler faced the Buccaneers earlier this season, and although he threw for 243 yards and a touchdown, he also had a couple of interceptions in a hefty loss. On the other side, the Buccaneers will rely heavily on wide receiver Mike Evans, who is on the brink of a significant milestone. He needs just 85 yards to achieve his 11th consecutive season with at least 1,000 receiving yards, which would tie him with legendary receiver Jerry Rice for the most all-time consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

This matchup brings a critical clash between Tampa Bay’s explosive offensive capability and a declining Saints defense that has struggled to contain both the run and pass. Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has been exceptional this season with 39 touchdown passes, recently delivered a standout performance against Carolina, throwing for 359 yards and five touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers feature rookie running back Bucky Irving, who is coming off a successful stretch, recently surpassing the 1,000-yard mark for the season and positioning the team’s rushing attack fourth overall.

In terms of injuries, the Saints might be without key players. Both quarterback Derek Carr and running back Alvin Kamara did not participate in practice earlier this week, although the interim coach has left the door open for their return on Sunday. Carr has not played for several games, and Kamara has been sidelined due to a groin injury sustained not long ago. For Tampa Bay, safety Antoine Winfield Jr. has been absent for the last three games, and there’s uncertainty regarding the availability of tight end Cade Otton and cornerback Jamel Dean, both dealing with knee issues.

Historically, the Saints maintain a series lead over the Buccaneers, including a postseason meeting where they also emerged victoriously. However, in recent regular-season matchups, the Buccaneers have come out on top in four of the last five contests, with the Saints clinching just one victory in Week 17 last year.

Statistically, rookie quarterback Rattler has completed 104 of his 186 pass attempts for over 1,000 yards, adding three touchdowns but also facing five interceptions. The Saints’ offense has faced intense challenges recently, scoring as low as 0 points in one game and averaging just 10 points in their last five outings. Notably, Kamara leads the Saints’ rushing statistics with nearly 1,000 yards this season, while standout defensive end Cameron Jordan has consistently performed well against Tampa Bay, accumulating significant sacks and tackles over the years.

For fantasy players, running back Bucky Irving has demonstrated his potential explosiveness, providing a vital offensive boost during his recent performances. Following a strong showing against Carolina, where he rushed for over 100 yards and caught four passes, expectations are high for his contributions on the field against the Saints.

Overall, this matchup promises to be pivotal for both teams as the season approaches its climax, with fans eager to see if Tampa Bay can maintain its recent form or if New Orleans can rally to upset their division rivals.