Saints-Bucs: New Orleans O Has the Edge in NFC South Battle

The Saints travel to Tampa Bay on Sunday to meet the Buccaneers in an important NFC South showdown.

Both teams are looking to rebound from, well, pitiful Week One performances.

After the Saints' opening night loss to the Colts, Drew Brees didn't mince his words.

"Maybe we deserved to get our butts kicked," the quarterback said.  

After leading the league in passing yards a year ago, Brees got off to a rough start in his second season with the Saints, completing only 28 of 41 attempts for 192 yards and an INT. 

Not that New Orleans fans need worry—the Saints still have Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister in the backfield, and the team's offensive talent isn't likely to stay dormant for long.

My only question is on the defensive side of the ball, where new acquisition Jason David has apparently failed to solve all the problems in the secondary. 

"Jason will bounce back from this," coach Sean Payton after Thursday's loss. "Don't worry about him."

The good news is that the Bucs aren't the Colts—and that they're banged up to boot.

Running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams is questionable with bruised ribs, and cornerback Brian Kelly is questionable with a groin problem.  Both players missed practice most of the week and are unlikely to play against the Saints.

QB Jeff Garcia, meanwhile, was knocked out of last week's game with a head injury, but is expected to play today for the Bucs.

The matchup should be an intriguing one, but I see the Saints pulling away as the game wears on. New Orleans has too much talent on offense, and I think their defense has a slight edge on the Bucs' aging unit.

In year's past, the Bucs D could hang with anyone. Now, though, I don't think they have an answer for the Saints' firepower.