Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints: Spread Info, Line and Predictions

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will try to beat the New Orleans Saints twice in one season, which hasn't happened since 2007. 

This time around, the Buccaneers won't have the luxury of playing at home, as they will play in New Orleans, where the Saints are undefeated on the year. 

Both Josh Freeman and Drew Brees know that this game is very important because the winner will have the upper hand in the NFC South. 

The Saints will look to forget their embarrassing loss to the St. Louis Rams last week; but facing a well-rested Buccaneers team off of a bye won't be easy. 

With that said, let's take a look at some specifics of this NFC South showdown. 

When: Sunday, Nov. 6, at 1:00 p.m. ET.

Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA.

Watch: FOX.

Spread

The Saints are favored at -9, which is just too high. New Orleans may be dominant at home, but the Buccaneers know they can beat the Saints. This is going to be a close game. 

With Tampa Bay having two weeks to prepare for this game, you should jump all over the Buccaneers and the points.  

Over/Under 

The over/under is set at 50, and the total score will surpass that. It was less than that in the last game, but the Saints offense will turn things around, especially given how bad they were last week.

New Orleans won't stink up the joint two weeks in a row. 

Key Injuries 

For Tampa Bay: RB LeGarrette Blount (knee), QB Josh Freeman (thumb) and DT Gerald McCoy (ankle) were full participants in practice this week and are listed as probable. They will play on Sunday. 

For New Orleans: RB Mark Ingram (heel) is out, and LB Jonathan Vilma (knee) is questionable. 

Fantasy Big Plays 

Drew Brees is always a must start, and he will bounce back after last week's performance. Yes, he threw three interceptions against the Buccaneers in October, but he will be better on Sunday because the Saints can't afford to lose another division game. 

Other Saints I like are tight end Jimmy Graham; and a sleeper would be Pierre Thomas. With Ingram out, Thomas will be asked to step up, and he'll come though with a good game. 

For the Buccaneers, Freeman is a good play because the Saints defense continues to give up a ton of passing yards.

Blount should be successful as well, especially since the last time these two teams met, Earnest Graham stepped in and had over 100 rushing yards. Blount may not reach 100, but he will find the end zone. 

Keys to Tampa Bay Win 

The Buccaneers have to create turnovers again and frustrate Brees to no ends. If they can make Brees have an off game again, they'll win. 

Blount must be successful on the ground because chewing up the clock to keep the Saints offense off the field will greatly increase Tampa Bay's chances to win. 

The Saints are going to move the ball down the field, but it's up to Tampa Bay to prevent them from making the big plays.

Keys to New Orleans Win

The Saints have to play smart and hold onto the ball. They turned the ball over four times in the last game against the Buccaneers, and that cannot happen again on Sunday.

Drew Brees has to be better this week, especially since the Saints are down a running back. Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles will be asked to elevate their game on Sunday because Brees will need a productive run game to open up the pass.

New Orleans only has eight turnovers on the year, and they'll need to improve that if they want to go far in 2011.

Prediction 

Once again, this NFC South battle will be close throughout. With the Buccaneers coming off of a bye, they'll be ready to compete with the Saints for all four quarters. 

In the end, Brees will lead his team to glory in the fourth quarter, and the New Orleans defense will deliver in the clutch to prevent Freeman and company from succeeding on their final drive. 

Saints 31, Buccaneers 24.