Game Preview: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints

Trying to avoid going 2-2 on the season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints.

Week 4 of the NFL season is here, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hoist a 2-1 record, much better than expected thus far into the season. They look to continue impressing as they take on the New Orleans Saints in an away, divisional matchup.

For a team that has undergone so many changes, the Buccaneers have been a solid team through three games, and that can continue as they take on the Saints, a good defense to have to beat.

Both of these are 2-1 so far this season, but coming in entirely different circumstances. Just last week, the Saints held a 17-0 lead over the Green Bay Packers. When Derek Carr left the game and Jameis Winston replaced him, Jordan Love and the Packers stormed back in the quarter, winning 18-17.

READ MORE: Buccaneers Starting Cornerback Out for Week 4 vs. Saints

The Buccaneers' lone loss comes to a team that was in the Super Bowl just last year. Other than that, they've looked good and have taken down the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears. Baker Mayfield has led this team well, as he and the offense have limited turnovers.

This will be key for the Buccaneers again this week. If they can take care of the ball and prolong their drives, the defense will be able to take care of things on their side of the ball. Now, if the Saints get the ball on their side of the field off a turnover, things might change.

About Winston taking over under center, this should be a clear advantage for the Buccaneers. They did let up a 17-point lead a week ago in the fourth quarter. Things will be different with a week of preparation, however. Now, if Carr does get healthy and return for this matchup, the game plan won't have to change much, as they'll provide their impact in similar facets.

There's a chance the Saints out-gain the Buccaneers when it comes to yardage, but that hasn't mattered for the Buccaneers too much, yet. They're going to take care of the ball capitalize on long drives and trust the defense to bend but not break. 

This game will ultimately come down to game-changing plays defensively and winning the special teams battle. Both offenses will be in a similar position. 

A win for the Buccaneers would mean a lot. They'd avoid going .500, then holding a 3-1 record with an NFC South win to start things off. There's a chance they compete to win the division and earn a playoff spot, and that journey could ultimately start tonight.

If Mayfield and the offense are able to pick apart a good defense, the pre-meditated idea of what the offense could look like will be flipped upside down. He'll need some support from the run game, though, which hasn't been spectacular this season. 

The Buccaneers have allowed 103 yards per game on the ground, and, conveniently, the Saints are returning Alvin Kamara to the running back position. That'll add another layer of difficulty for the defense in this matchup.

Once again, the Buccaneers enter a game as an underdog, with the Saints being 3.5-point favorites. It's a good position for the expectation-less Buccaneers to be in, as they can play free football and potentially come out on top in New Orleans. 

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READ MORE: Keys To Cannon Fire: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints

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