New Orleans Saints: 5 Bold Predictions for Game Against Tampa Bay Bucs

The New Orleans Saints are coming off of a disappointing 31-21 loss to the St. Louis Rams, but there’s reason to believe the Saints get the job done against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday in surprising fashion.

Everyone loves a bold prediction, and what’s a better bold prediction than picking the Saints to beat the Bucs after they already lost to them 26-20 a few weeks ago and are coming off such a lackluster performance.

Whatever momentum the Saints gained from dismantling the Indianapolis Colts 62-7 on Sunday Night Football was quickly evaporated by the stifling defense of the Rams.

From Drew Brees throwing interceptions to the offensive line not protecting him well, the Saints performance was embarrassing, but they’ll turn things around this week when they play the Bucs. It was as flat of a performance the Saints could have, but that’s just one game.

Come this Sunday, the Saints will defeat the Bucs in the Superdome, and these are five bold predictions for this divisional clash.

Brees Will Throw 3 Touchdowns

Ok, this might not be that bold of a prediction, given the fact that this is Drew Brees and all, but need I remind you that he only threw one touchdown against the Bucs in Week 6?

Need I also remind you that Brees is coming off of another disappointing performance against the Rams? And don’t think for a second that Brees doesn’t realize this, and that it doesn’t eat him alive inside.

Look for Brees and the Saints to come out of the gate slinging the ball like they did against the Colts, and look for them to take full advantage of the mismatch Jimmy Graham presents.

Brees will hit Graham, Marques Colston and catch the Bucs' defense napping with a long pass play to Robert Meachem to add three touchdown passes on the season.

Saints Will Limit the Bucs to Under 100 Yards Rushing

I said these would be bold predictions, and this one is going out on a limb. The Bucs' bread and butter is their ground-and-pound rushing game, and they proved it against the Saints in Week 6.

Even with LeGarrette Blount out, the Bucs managed to post over 100 yards rushing with Earnest Graham pounding the ball down the Saints’ throats. With that said, the Saints will have a more successful rush defense this go around.

Most people like to look at the rushing game as a way to open up the passing game, but I like to look at it both ways. In the same way that the rushing game opens up the passing game, the passing game opens up the rushing game, and this was a key to the Bucs' victory over the Saints earlier this year.

Josh Freeman had an outstanding performance as he threw more than 300 yards, had two touchdown and didn’t throw an interception. If Will Smith and the Saints' pass rush can affect Freeman and the Bucs’ passing game, the Bucs' rushing game will be affected as a result. Saints do just that.

Saints Will Have 500 Yards of Total Offense

Anytime you go out on a ledge and say a team will gain 500 yards of total offense, it’s a bold prediction. Especially, if that team is coming off of a 283-yard performance.

The Rams played great, and they did a fantastic job of making Brees feel uncomfortable in the pocket, but I have to chalk this game up to the Saints just not getting up to play. That’s not the Saints I’ve grown used to watching, and I don’t think they ever got to St. Louis.

Considering the fact that this is an NFC South match-up against the Bucs at home, the Saints getting up to play shouldn’t be a problem.

Add in the fact that the Saints were embarrassed by the Rams in their last outing, and the Saints should come out of the gates looking to prove a point.

Look for the Saints to try and open up the rushing game with Brees getting surgical through the air. Saints show up this week, and they post gaudy numbers.

Brees Will Have No Interceptions

I can’t believe that saying Brees will not throw an interception is an actual bold prediction, but with the way Brees has been getting picked off this first half of the season, it is.

Brees is coming off of a two-interception performance, and he had three interceptions when the Saints played the Bucs a few weeks back.

The interceptions have come as a result of Brees trying to force some passes into tight spots, tipped passes and his faith in his wide receivers to make a play. It happens.

Brees will be more cautious with the football this week, and he will post three touchdowns and zero interceptions en route to a Saints victory.

Saints Will Win by at Least Two Touchdowns

After a disappointing performance last week, the Saints will come out and play like the Saints that fans have grown accustomed to.

Brees will be killing the Bucs’ defense through the air, the running backs will produce better this week and the Saints defense will get in the face of Freeman and force bad decisions.

Over the past couple of years, just about every time the Saints lose, they end up following that performance with a strong one, and Sunday will be no different. In the first encounter between these two earlier this year, the Saints had four turnovers and still nearly pulled off the victory.

The Saints already proved that they can move the ball up and down the field against the Bucs because they had 453 yards against the Bucs in Week 6.

This time the Saints will take better care of the ball, and they will win by at least two touchdowns.