Buccaneers vs. Saints: New Orleans' Offensive and Defensive Game Plans

As the New Orleans Saints prepare to play Tampa Bay for the second time in a month, game plans become even more important than they normally are. Yes, execution in some senses is what's most important, as it always is. But it's up to the coaches to figure out ways to change their schemes just enough to give their players the best opportunity to execute. 

I already gave a brief preview (and predicted a Saints win) of the Saints' game plan earlier this week. I want to expand on that game plan to specific down and distance situations for both sides of the football. 

Overall Offensive Game Plan

Tampa Bay has long played the Tampa Two coverage—which they of course made famous under Tony Dungy and Monte Kiffin. The Bucs now run a hybrid version of that defense. 

They run more man coverage, and they'll blitz more often under Raheem Morris—who also calls the defense. That said, when in doubt, their bread and butter is the Tampa 2 coverage. Because of this, they are susceptible to the run but also are tough to garner a big play against. 

For that reason, the Saints should be aiming to possess the ball at least 33 minutes in this game. And I believe they can do that by taking advantage of those two-high coverages with short underneath throws, lots of between-the-tackle runs and lots of play-action throws. Yet, I would also aim for a high tempo on offense in order to make this a shootout. 

Offensively, the Bucs cannot keep up with the Saints if this game gets into the 30s. Frankly, they want to keep this as low scoring a game as possible. In order for the Saints to score a lot, though, they must play uptempo against this bend-but-don't-break defense. 

Base Downs (1st and 2nd Down)

The Bucs are going to be more basic—in other words, Tampa 2—on first and second down, especially with long or medium to go. Because of this, running the football on draws, quick slants and some of the bunch quick hitch routes, as well as deep ins and corner routes, ought to work well. 

But most of all, running off tackles and in between the guards on power plays and trap runs will take advantage of a mostly-attacking defensive line. And of course, the more success the Saints experience on first down with the short stuff and the running game, the more they can begin to work play-action and take some shots down the field. 

Nickel (3rd Down)

The Buccaneers' defense will become much more aggressive on third downs—just like most NFL defenses. They are not afraid to load up the box and bring as many as seven at times, though, that number is highly unlikely against the Saints. 

In long-yardage situations, it is most likely that they will bring five or six and drop into a zone blitz. For that reason, screens and perhaps even draws will work best, in addition to Darren Sproles circling out of the backfield like he did against Green Bay in Week 1. 

In those medium-yardage situations, the best bet is to put Marques Colston in the slot and Jimmy Graham out wide. The point is to find the best matchup and have them run an option route that exposes the particular type of coverage the corner is playing on them. 

In short-yardage situations, some of those swing screens, throws to the flat and power runs are precisely what will work best. 

Red-Zone Offense (Tampa 20 and in)

Marques Colston is always going to be the Saints' primary red-zone weapon. But with the explosion of Jimmy Graham, the Saints have two legitimate options in this area of the field. 

Because of the Bucs' propensity to play the Tampa 2, even in the red zone, lining both Colston and Graham in the slot would do two huge things for the Saints. It would force the Mike linebacker to essentially choose to focus on one or the other. 

Then the safeties would either have to choose the other or let's say Graham basically gets one-on-one coverage on a linebacker or corner. Either way, it's an unfair matchup, and a virtual lock to result in a touchdown. 

Of course, none of it is actually this simple when they line up, but that is a concept the Saints should look to expose in this game. 

Again, the running game should also be a valuable and effective way to get the ball into the end zone against Tampa Bay. 

Overall Defensive Game Plan

Because the Bucs are scrambling to find a healthy running back, it seems unlikely they are going to try to pound the football. And because they don't want to make this a shootout, it would seem they would desire to move the football methodically. 

As a result, the odds seem high that Tampa is going to try to use a controlled passing game. The answer to this is actually pretty simple: Press them at the line of scrimmage and force the receivers to beat you deep. Whatever you do, just don't let them beat you to death with the five-yard pass. 

Additionally, expect them to use their receivers and perhaps even Kellen Winslow to gain a few yards rushing the football on reverses and end-arounds. For this reason, the Saints should obviously be ready for this, and if they see a receiver in motion, they should automatically switch their covers to zone or at least a matchup zone coverage. 

Base Downs (1st and 2nd)

As bad as the game was last week, the Saints did one thing very well: They got pressure on the quarterback. In the Week 6 contest in Tampa, the Saints did not. Which Saints defense will we get in that department on Sunday?

Hopefully the one that showed up against the Rams. The Saints need to mix it up in terms of who is coming, but run blitzes and blitzes sent in hopes of hitting and sacking Josh Freeman should be sent on first and second down. This is when it's preferable to play that press coverage, forcing Josh Freeman to throw the deep ball, which he does not generally do at a very accurate level. 

The blitzes could lead to some big run plays, but they could also lead to a lot of negative plays. Remember, the Saints want to play as high a scoring game this weekend as possible. They're OK giving up big plays defensively as long as they make some big plays, too. 

Nickel (3rd Down)

On third down, I look for a little wrinkle from Gregg Williams—a zone blitz. In fact, I expect this some on base downs due to the short throws as well. But the nice thing about the zone blitz is that it brings unexpected defenders and puts pass coverage in spots the QB is not expecting. 

Malcolm Jenkins is probably the best blitzing defensive back the Saints have—unfortunately, Gregg Williams just hasn't figured this out yet. Not blitzing Harper on third down but playing him deep and bringing Jenkins will confuse Freeman. Also, playing Greer and Porter—and Pat Robinson, if we have to—in deep quarters coverage gives them great opportunities to pick off Freeman's deep, hurried throws up the sideline. 

Red Zone Defense (New Orleans 20 & In)

In the red zone, the Bucs are very good at flooding zones and isolating their bigger receivers on fades versus man-to-man coverage. 

To combat that, the Saints must play some combo coverages—part man, part zone. This mostly eliminates the ability to blitz Freeman, meaning players such as Cameron Jordan have to get some quick pressure on Josh Freeman, and if nothing else, make it very tough for him to make an accurate throw to his receivers. 

In past years, the Saints have been tough to score on in the red zone. This season, not so much. This game may present a lot of opportunities to either create turnovers or the next best thing—force the other team to kick a field goal.