Saints vs. Buccaneers: TV Schedule, Live Streaming, Radio, Game Time and More

The NFC South boasts arguably one of the closest division races in the NFL through this early season, which makes this weekend's matchup between the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers extremely vital.

Every game matters, but the stakes are raised even higher when you are fighting to stay alive during the early stages of a division race.

The Saints are coming off a win where they barely survived a scare to Cam Newton and the talented Carolina Panthers. This is yet another big road game on their tough schedule, but if there is a team that can handle the pressure, it is the Saints.

Offensively, they are one of the best in the league with Drew Brees under center, and their running game is starting to find that scary power and speed balance that the truly elite running games possess.

The Buccaneers, on the other hand, are returning from San Francisco, where they were embarrassed 48-3 at the hands of the 49ers.

Tampa Bay currently sits at second in the NFC South with a 3-2 record behind 4-1 New Orleans, so obviously this game is huge.

Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL

When: Sunday Oct. 16. 4:15 p.m EST

Watch: Fox, DirecTV 714, NFL RedZone

Listen: WWL 870AM, 105.3FM & WWL.COM, Sirius 94 New Orleans, WFUS 103.5, WDAE 620 AM, Sirius 136 Tampa Bay

Stream: NFL.com packages

Betting Line (ESPN.com): New Orleans (-4)

What's at Stake

It's a simple objective that the New Orleans Saints are taking into this matchup. Go on the road and beat their divisional opponent and rival and gain breathing room in the division race. It's simple for the Saints. For the Buccaneers, they can start sliding down the standings real fast unless they get a win here.

New Orleans Injury Report

Did not practice 10/12: wide receiver Devery Henderson (calf), tackle Zach Streif (knee), tight end David Thomas (concussion). 

Tampa Bay Injury Report

Did not practice 10/12: Running back LeGarrette Blount (knee), Linebacker Mason Foster (ankle), defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (ankle), tight end Luke Stocker (knee), wide receiver Sammie Stroughter (foot).

Fantasy Start 'Em, Sit 'Em, and Sleeper

Start: Running back Darren Sproles of the Saints has to be a start in this game. He keeps stepping up with the intangibles and makes huge plays in the passing game. He will be a big factor in this game.

Sit: Running back LaGarrette Blount has been pretty disappointing all season long, especially after the year he had in 2010. His lack of production plus the injury warrants a sit.

Sleeper: Saints rookie running back Mark Ingram is a workhorse of a back, and he's just going to keep getting better as the weeks go on.

What They're Saying

Jeff Duncan of the Times-Picayune on NOLA.com writes about the Saints' success on third down. It was a huge factor in their win against Carolina and continues to be as quarterback Drew Brees displays great accuracy on the games' most important down.

Pat Yasinskas of ESPN writes about the return of Buccaneers safety Tanard Jackson and his reinstatement from a substance abuse suspension from last September. Yasinskas believes that Jackson will be a huge help on Tampa's defense.  

Saints Player to Watch

I can't stress how important running back Mark Ingram is to the success of this team. He's a great down-hill runner and is very dangerous near the goal line.

Buccaneers Player to Watch

It's going to be extremely interesting to see how Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman will bounce back from such a horrible loss last weekend. The simple truth is, the Bucs will go as far as he takes them.

Key Matchup

Keep your eye on the Saints' defensive line and their matchup and game against Freeman. If they can get pressure on him and shut down the running game, the  Buccaneers are in for a rough game.

On the Hot Seat

This whole Buccaneers team is on the hot seat right now. They came into the year with playoff expectations, but the way this season is going, if they can't compete for the division, they will be hard pressed to even make a wild-card spot.

Prediction

The Saints are the best team in their division, and I expect them to prove that on the road.

Saints: 31 Tampa Bay: 20