Saints-Buccaneers Predictions | Week 17

There is not a lot of belief in the New Orleans Saints' ability to keep their season alive against an ascending Tampa Bay Buccaneers team.

In what could be the deciding game of their season, the New Orleans Saints travel to Tampa to on a surging division opponent. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won four-straight games and are one game away from clinching the NFC South division. A division the Saints built themselves to win, this is the team's last chance to keep that hope alive.

Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Mike Evans are each two touchdown connections away from setting career highs. The Saints defense is coming off of allowing an opponents best passing and rushing efforts. 

It is not a good mix going into an extremely important divisional matchup. This game could not only seal the fate of the Saints postseason chances, but also the fate of the future for some key personnel.

Derek Carr reacts after a sack-fumble forced by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their Week 4 matchup / Oct 1, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) reacts after being sacked and fumbling the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle T. Mosley

New Orleans is in a must-win situation. The Saints' play calling will not be enough to counter Todd Bowles' Bucs defense, which is playing well. My concern is the Saints' defense, especially the secondary's play. Bucs wideout Mike Evans will be ready to host corners Paulson Adebo and Isaac Yiadom... unfortunately, Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield will take advantage. 

Prediction: Buccaneers 31, Saints 17

New Orleans Saints Offensive Lineman's Career In Jeopardy

Bob Rose

In Week 15 of the 2021 NFL season, Allen stepped up to coach the Saints at the Buccaneers after Covid sidelined Sean Payton. A 9-0 victory that night could have been one of the deciding factors to give Allen the head coaching job after Payton resigned at the end of that season. Perhaps it is fitting that a deciding factor that could cost Allen his job comes against the same franchise in the same venue. 

And why should we think any different? Allen's Saints are 1-13 against teams with a .500 or better record when they play them and are just 4-6 against the woeful NFC South in his two years. Time and time again with this team over that span, New Orleans has looked listless, sloppy, and unmotivated when they've had the opportunity to control their own destiny. In what is basically a playoff game for both teams and with the Buccaneers on a roll, it is time to face the reality of who the Saints really are. 

Prediction: Buccaneers 31 Saints 13

Oct 1, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) warms up before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports

John Hendrix

The Saints have not been able to beat good teams, and this is essentially their season. The way the Bucs are playing, it’s hard to see New Orleans coming into town to negate Tampa from winning the division. After the outing against the Los Angeles Rams, I do not have much optimism left for them. They are just too inconsistent and even here in Week 17. The team and its challenges seem far from fixable at this point. They had better hope they come in ready to play the game of their life and prove us wrong, but again I do not see it. 

Prediction: Buccaneers 28, Saints 19

Ross Jackson

The Saints' season may technically still be alive, but not by a large margin. The Bucs went into New Orleans earlier this year and handed the Saints their most lopsided loss, a 17-point deficit. While Saints quarterback Derek Carr was managing a shoulder injury at that time, there have not been enough consistent displays of improvement by New Orleans to believe the Bucs will not just reprise this performance at Raymond James Stadium.

Prediction: Buccaneers 34, Saints 19

Saints vs. Bucs Pregame Report - Week 17