The Sports Xchange

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1) at New Orleans Saints (1-0)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans – TV: FOX

*TV announcers: Chris Myers, Ronde Barber, Jennifer Hale

*Keys to the game: Bucs rookie QB Jameis Winston was put behind the 8-ball in his debut – in part self-inflicted – when Tampa Bay fell behind early against Tennessee and was predictably uneven in passing for 210 yards with a pair of TDs and a pair of INTs. The Bucs expect some inconsistency, but can help Winston by sticking closer to the Saints’ hip and relying more on RBs Doug Martin and Charles Sims in a balanced attack. New Orleans’ allowed 5.8 yards per carry to New Orleans and Winston would be aided significantly by an effective play-action game. He’d also receive a huge boost if WR Mike Evans can return from his hamstring injury.

The Saints couldn’t run the ball (2.7 yards per carry) and couldn’t move it inside the red zone (22 yards on 10 snaps) in their Week 1 loss at Arizona. After relying heavily on his running backs in the passing game last week, QB Drew Brees should have more opportunity to push the ball vertically against a Bucs defense lacking effective pass rushers. Tampa Bay wasn’t physical up front vs. the run last week and was repeatedly gashed by Marcus Mariota over the middle. Expect Brees to attack similarly with WR Brandin Cooks.

*Matchup to watch – Bucs TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins vs. Saints S Jamarca Sanford: The injury-riddled Saints secondary could turn to the veteran journeyman with Rafael Bush (torn pectoral) injured in Week 1 and Jairus Byrd still recovering from his knee injury last October. With Evans out, Seferian-Jenkins (6-5, 262) caught five passes for 110 yards and two TDs last week.

*Player spotlight – Saints RB Mark Ingram: Ingram entered the season with 53 receptions over his first four NFL seasons, but was targeted a team-high nine times with eight receptions last week. A big uptick in his versatility is a plus, but Ingram managed only 2.7 yards per carry with a long of nine

*Fast facts: Bucs LB Lavonte David is the only NFL player since 2013 with 250-plus tackles, 8.0-plus sacks and five-plus INTs. … The Saints scored touchdowns on 60 percent of their red zone possessions last season.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

Bucs rookie QB Jameis Winston will continue to improve, but it’s the overmatched defense that is the main concern going into the Superdome, where Drew Brees & Co. generally put the pedal to the metal and keep the pressure on.

*Our pick: Saints 31-20