NFL Picks Week 9: Why Buccaneers Will Beat Saints for 2nd Time This Season

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can move into first place in the NFC South with a win against the New Orleans Saints, who Tampa beat 26-20 in Week 6.

Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman has not played well this season, but his best game of the season was against the Saints back in October.

Freeman passed for 303 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in that game.

Not turning the ball over is key for Freeman, who has gotten better at protecting the football as the season has progressed.

The Saints are a good matchup for Freeman because their secondary does not have a ton of talent and is void of playmaking guys who force turnovers.

The Saints can also be run on. They are allowing 124.1 yards per game on the ground, and their front seven has had trouble stopping teams from establishing the run and controlling the clock.

New Orleans got beaten soundly by the then-winless St. Louis Rams last week without quarterback Sam Bradford.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees did not look good against the Rams and threw for two interceptions. Against the Buccaneers in Week 6, Brees threw three interceptions.

The Saints are a good matchup for the Buccaneers on both sides of the ball, and Freeman seems to feel comfortable against their defense.

The Tampa Bay secondary is talented and has speed, which will bother the Saints receivers.

The Saints looked bad last week and need a win to extend their lead in the NFC South, but the Buccaneers will beat them this week and move into first.