BucsGameday Staff Score Predictions: Tampa Bay Buccaneers At New Orleans Saints

Our staff provides their predictions and analysis ahead of Tampa Bay's first NFC South matchup of the year.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell back down to Earth last weekend after two surprising victories to open the 2023 season. The Buccaneers came up well short in a dominating effort by the Philadelphia Eagles on the road. The Eagles built a 25-3 advantage and finished with a 472-174 edge in yards of total offense.

READ MORE: How To Watch Buccaneers Vs. Saints

It was disappointing, to say the least, after the effort that Tampa Bay displayed against Minnesota and Chicago. However, the Buccaneers will have to bounce back quickly on one less day of rest ahead of their first NFC South divisional matchup of the year. The team will be traveling to New Orleans for a road game against the Saints.

New Orleans also suffered its first defeat of the season in Week 3. The Saints got out to a 17-0 lead on the road in Green Bay. With that being said, an injury to starting quarterback Derek Carr and breakdowns on special teams and defense down the stretch led to a one-point loss.

Our staff provides their predictions and analysis as the Buccaneers and Saints prepare to face off.

Dustin Lewis (@DustinLewisNG)

There's nothing better than an opportunity to bounce back. That's exactly what the Buccaneers have in front of them after a disappointing performance against Philadelphia last week. All will be forgiven though if Tampa Bay rebounds in an important divisional game against New Orleans.

It will be imperative for the Buccaneers to get back on track on offense after being held to less than 200 total yards by the Eagles. The rushing attack was disappointing as Rachaad White seemed like he was trying to do too much at times, leading to a fumble. Look for a more focused and polished outing from him against the Saints.

There are still question marks surrounding Derek Carr's availability for the matchup. Regardless of its Carr or Jameis Winston taking the field, I expect Tampa Bay's defense to show up in a big way. I'm rolling with the Buccaneers to come away with another victory on the road.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 2-1

Buccaneers 24, Saints 20

Logan Robinson (@LogansTwitty)

The Buccaneers’ running game has to get going in this game. It still isn’t going to be easy with the Saints’ front seven but still, that can’t be an excuse to go under 100 yards on the ground. Too many flashbacks from last year with how disappointing it was. 

The Bucs’ interior offensive line and running back room need to crank it up a notch to stay in this one. I think it will be a good game for the Buccaneers’ defense facing their former quarterback but it’s hard to trust the offense Tampa Bay is fielding. Time of possession will be the true game-winner in this one. 

2023 Season Prediction Record: 1-2

Saints 31, Buccaneers 27

David Harrison (@DHarrison82)

Derek Carr may play or he may not, but either way, the Saints' quarterback situation is not good. Even with a banged-up secondary, the Bucs should be able to do enough to pull out a defensive win over New Orleans.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 2-1

Buccaneers 17, Saints 14

Collin Haalboom (@SI_Buccaneers)

The Buccaneers will look to get back to their winning ways this week at New Orleans, but it won't be easy. Even without Derek Carr, the Saints' are a very good football team. Their defense is full of quality veterans, and their offense is flush with talent at the skill positions.

After the Bucs were absolutely trampled on by D'Andre Swift last week, they'll be tasked with slowing down the always dangerous, Alvin Kamara, who is making his season debut at home. I think this will be a close game but Baker > Jameis is the difference. 

2023 Season Prediction Record: 2-1

Buccaneers 21, Saints 20

Caleb Skinner (@chsnole)

There are a lot of unknowns entering this game as both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New Orleans Saints are dealing with injury issues. Saints' QB Derek Carr is dealing with an AC injury to his shoulder, but is doing whatever he can to try and play on Sunday. As for the Bucs, they are having injury issues with their secondary as star corner Carlton Davis has missed the past two games and Jamel Dean has already been ruled out for the contest.

The Buccaneers are facing their first NFC South opponent on the road this week and the Saints will also be without starting safety Marcus Maye, but will gain RB Alvin Kamara back this week from his suspension. 

If the Buccaneers' secondary can step up and play as a cohesive unit alongside the rest of the defense it will go a long way towards the Bucs being able to stifle the Saints' offense no matter who is at QB. 

The Buccaneers offense will look to get going this week after a lackluster performance last week against the Philadelphia Eagles. They will face a tough test against one of the more stifling defenses in the league, but if they can keep this one close Baker and Co. will have the opportunity to move the Buccaneers to 3-1 on the season and claim at least a share of the top spot in the NFC South.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 1-2

Buccaneers 28, Saints 24

JC Allen (@JCAllenNFL)

Coming into the season I had this penciled in as the Bucs' second loss of the year. However, things haven’t quite turned out the way they had hoped in New Orleans. The Saints have struggled on offense, only scoring four offensive touchdowns through three games while the offensive line has been a mess, allowing 12 sacks on the season and 35 pressures on the quarterback.

On one of those pressures in Week 3 starting quarterback Derek Carr suffered an injury to his throwing shoulder putting his status in doubt. If he can go he is surely not going to be effective as he would be 100 % healthy and if he doesn't former Buccaneers Jameis Winston would get the start under center. The Bucs defense knows all too well the kind of mistakes Winston can make and will be looking to take advantage of them.

The Saints defense has looked fairly good and looks to hold an opponent to 21 points or less for the 13th consecutive game. Though there have been a ton of changes on that side of the ball and they will be without three starters in the secondary. It will be notoriously loud in the Superdome and the Bucs are dealing with injuries of their own. The offense will need to minimize mistakes and the defense will need to get back to playing smash-mouth football. They do that and they will win this game.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 3-0

Buccaneers 24, Saints 17

Kade Kimble (@kadekimble)

This one has a one-possession game feel to it. Mayfield and the Buccaneers, if they can limit turnovers, will have a tough challenge in the Saints' defense. However, the injury-riddled Buccaneers defense should be able to hold the Saints offense nicely. A few big plays will be the turning point in this one.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 2-1

Buccaneers 24, Saints 21

Ben Meyerson (@ByBenMeyerson)

This game will be hugely important for both teams in the NFC South race. The Buccaneers are dealing with injuries this week across their defense with Jamel Dean and Calijah Kancey confirmed to be out. Missing Dean will be a big loss having to deal with the Saints' weapons. But the Saints will be without Cesar Ruiz, and Paulson Adebo and Derek Carr is questionable, coming back to practice being limited on Friday. So both teams are dealing with their own injuries. 

This game will come down to timely turnovers and who has the ball at the end. I think the Buccaneers will make those timely turnovers, as their defense has a knack for doing so, and have their best game running the ball on offense. They will control the clock at the end of the game and as long as they do not turn the ball over they will win.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 2-1

Buccaneers 27, Saints 24

CONSENSUS: Buccaneers (7-1)

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