Breaking Down How Buccaneers Defense Can Halt Drew Brees, Saints Offense

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a tough team to beat in the New Sombrero.

Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints were subjects of this in 2011, as the Bucs won 26-20, which ultimately cost the Big Easy a playoff bye. Although that was Tampa's final victory of the 2011 season, it normally tightens up against NFC South opponents at home.

This week in pro football, the Bucs host New Orleans in a pivotal matchup that, when the 2012 season concludes, can be looked at as the catalyst which changed the year's complexion. Currently Tampa Bay is 2-3, although all three losses have come by no more than seven points each.

Much of the same can also be said about New Orleans; the Saints are 1-4, and every loss was by no more than eight points.

If Tampa Bay wins it improves to 2-0 in the division, whereas a victory for the Saints gets them to .500 in the NFC South. Last time these two teams met in Tampa, Fla., Brees was intercepted three times and he threw just one touchdown.

To that end, let's break down 2011's upset by Tampa Bay and see how the Bucs can put on an encore performance this time around.

Note: All screencaps are courtesy of NFL.com's Game Rewind.

First Interception

We've become far too familiar with Brees putting the rock spot on in between the smallest of windows. Still, there comes a time when even the best marksmen have to check down and let the defense line up with favorable field position.

Here, the Saints come out in a two-receiver bunch on each side. Robert Meachem runs your typical out route against Cover 2, which is the perfect route to exploit that coverage's weakness.

And despite Brees making a catchable throw, the window is a tight fit as the underneath defender gets enough depth to obstruct Meachem's vision. As the play develops, because Brees targets deeper and to the narrow side of the field we'll see running back Darren Sproles wide open with plenty of space to run.

Had Brees dumped it off, Sproles may have been able to move the chains. In turn, checking down would have set up Meachem for later on.

The Game-Winner

On fourth down in the waning minutes, Brees and the Saints were down, 26-20, and on the brink of scoring.

After a quick play-fake, Brees gradually rolled out to his right and never took his typical time at surveying the field. Part of this is due to the initial blitzer, and then the next courtesy of a late rusher forcing Brees to throw off his back foot.

Because the Bucs got some pressure in this situation, however, it prevented Brees from seeing the entire field. Everyone Brees can see is totally blanketed in man coverage, while the defender inside the blue square is going to drop underneath wherever Brees lets the ball go.

As you can see up top, a wide open receiver was there had Brees briefly glanced to his left.

Also, that would not be a cross-body throw if Brees quickly set his feet instead of letting one go up for grabs.

What we get from both of these interceptions are coverages geared toward a specific receiver and in the second, edge pressure with a late rusher to force a throw.

This season, the Buccaneers are still vulnerable against the pass, and can't afford to let Brees tear them apart. Well, the best way to negate numerous big play opportunities is by limiting Brees' time to decipher the coverage post-snap and play physical on the outside.

Tampa's front four is improving at applying pressure, though; no coverage can last forever. Simply put: Attack the Saints' offensive line and disrupt the timing of Brees and his receivers.

Otherwise, the New Orleans offense will burn the scoreboard and the Bucs won't be able to match pace.

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