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Week 5 Preview: Bucs at Saints
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3) at New Orleans Saints (1-3)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans – TV: FOX
*TV announcers: Dick Stockton, Kirk Morrison, Kristina Pink
*Keys to the game: Drew Brees thrives against Tampa and the Saints have won five in a row in the series, but the bull’s-eye is on the back of the New Orleans defense after it was gouged for 190 rushing yards at Dallas.
Tampa is not a powerful running outfit, but that’s the identity coach Lovie Smith is shooting for with Doug Martin leading the way. Saints Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will load up to stop the inside running game, which pushes the pressure to Mike Glennon in his 15th career start to find his jumbo receivers in man coverage. Particularly, Glennon wants to spark the connection with Vincent Jackson, who has just five catches on 19 targets in the past two games.
Saints TE Jimmy Graham caught 15 passes for 250 yards and two scores in two games with the Bucs last season.
*Matchup to watch – Saints FS Jairus Byrd vs. Glennon: It has been a whopping 263 defensive snaps for the Saints since Byrd forced a fumble, the team’s only takeaway this season, in the first quarter of the opener. Byrd is the player likely to get the most chances to make a play on the ball in the air. The Saints have six interceptions in the past three games against Tampa.
*Player spotlight – Saints RB Mark Ingram: On track to return after missing two games due to a fractured hand, Ingram is averaging 6.0 yards on 24 carries and provides the most physical downhill presence out of the three-headed backfield.
*Fast facts: Since the start of 2013, the Saints are 9-0 at home, outscoring opponents by 17.6 points per game. … Glennon had five 20-plus-yard pass plays last week, matching the team’s total in the first three games.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
For the shocker over the Steelers last week to lead to a turn in their season, the Bucs must back it up with another road win. With the Saints scrapping to stay relevant in early October, New Orleans finds an edge with home cooking.
*Our pick: Saints 31-17
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