Sunday Showdown:
Saints Need Another Win, Vilma is Back!!!!!
Saints Need Another Win, Vilma is Back!!!!!
Here's my weekly take on the Keys to the Game for the Saints on Sunday!
For starters, it was nice to have a week off to relax, and enjoy watching the other games on Sunday. I sincerely appreciate & thank you all for the support & views for my blog. Well, now that that’s over, let’s talk Saints & the upcoming fight against Tampa Bay in this week’s Keys to the Game!
Tampa enters the game coming off of a thrashing of Kansas City, winning the game 38-10. On the day, Josh Freeman threw for 328 yards, and 3TD. Granted, they played Brady Quinn on offense, and their defense had 2 INTs, one of which was returned for a Touchdown by the ageless wonder, Ronde Barber.
Tampa enters the game coming off of a thrashing of Kansas City, winning the game 38-10. On the day, Josh Freeman threw for 328 yards, and 3TD. Granted, they played Brady Quinn on offense, and their defense had 2 INTs, one of which was returned for a Touchdown by the ageless wonder, Ronde Barber.
Offense
Brees has another record in the bag, and that’s one less thing to have to worry about for this offense. Yes, continued success is desired, we all know that is a given. It just takes a certain degree of pressure off, as weird as that sounds. The thing to watch for is the secondary. Clearly, missing Aqib Talib provides a mismatch for the Saints WRs, however, there’s this guy named Mark Barron that slightly could make a few things happen. We haven’t seen a run game this season, maybe this could be a game where we’ll use it a little more, but the Bucs are ranked 4th this season agains the run. However, the saying is if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Brees will pass, and pass, and pass even more. I mentioned Greg Camarillo stepping in as that 3rd WR against the Chargers, and Jimmy Graham being a non-factor, but factor, in the game. We should have Lance Moore back, and then added with a healthy Jimmy Graham (or even 80% Graham is scary as we’ve seen - he's currently been limited in practice, but one thinks it's precautionary), has all the makings for a Buccaneers fit on the day. I look for the offense to have a very strong rhythm established, and the pass game may see a lot more check downs to Ingram, Sproles, & PT. Although the Bucs are DEAD LAST against the pass this season, I would never say it’s a cakewalk against their defense (especially a division foe). Aside from the Chiefs game blowout, and the opening win against the Panthers, the Bucs lost by 7 (NYG), 6 (DAL), & 2 (WASH) points respectively.
Brees has another record in the bag, and that’s one less thing to have to worry about for this offense. Yes, continued success is desired, we all know that is a given. It just takes a certain degree of pressure off, as weird as that sounds. The thing to watch for is the secondary. Clearly, missing Aqib Talib provides a mismatch for the Saints WRs, however, there’s this guy named Mark Barron that slightly could make a few things happen. We haven’t seen a run game this season, maybe this could be a game where we’ll use it a little more, but the Bucs are ranked 4th this season agains the run. However, the saying is if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Brees will pass, and pass, and pass even more. I mentioned Greg Camarillo stepping in as that 3rd WR against the Chargers, and Jimmy Graham being a non-factor, but factor, in the game. We should have Lance Moore back, and then added with a healthy Jimmy Graham (or even 80% Graham is scary as we’ve seen - he's currently been limited in practice, but one thinks it's precautionary), has all the makings for a Buccaneers fit on the day. I look for the offense to have a very strong rhythm established, and the pass game may see a lot more check downs to Ingram, Sproles, & PT. Although the Bucs are DEAD LAST against the pass this season, I would never say it’s a cakewalk against their defense (especially a division foe). Aside from the Chiefs game blowout, and the opening win against the Panthers, the Bucs lost by 7 (NYG), 6 (DAL), & 2 (WASH) points respectively.
Defense
If you weren’t encouraged by what you saw against the Chargers, especially with a injured lineup, then I’m not sure what game you were watching. Our defense rose to the challenge, and helped us win our first game. I salivate slightly at this squad finding its groove, and getting healthier. Let’s not forget, there may be a certain person returning (spoiler alert for X-Factor) this week, that may give this defense the extra ‘edge’ & ‘chip’ needed to become fairly scary, or at least start causing chaos. The ability to get front four pressure & wrap up the QB was problems we saw at the beginning the season, and it has gradually matured under the Spagnoulo scheme. I’ll gladly take 5 sacks any day, especially against a team like the Chargers. The big thing to watch is the rushing game matchup….31st against the run defense vs. a 23rd rushing offense. Seems like a stale mate, but one will have to prevail here.
If you weren’t encouraged by what you saw against the Chargers, especially with a injured lineup, then I’m not sure what game you were watching. Our defense rose to the challenge, and helped us win our first game. I salivate slightly at this squad finding its groove, and getting healthier. Let’s not forget, there may be a certain person returning (spoiler alert for X-Factor) this week, that may give this defense the extra ‘edge’ & ‘chip’ needed to become fairly scary, or at least start causing chaos. The ability to get front four pressure & wrap up the QB was problems we saw at the beginning the season, and it has gradually matured under the Spagnoulo scheme. I’ll gladly take 5 sacks any day, especially against a team like the Chargers. The big thing to watch is the rushing game matchup….31st against the run defense vs. a 23rd rushing offense. Seems like a stale mate, but one will have to prevail here.
Special Teams
Not much to analyze here, I’d only point out the footing perspective on the field for Garrett Hartley kicks, and Morstead punts. When Sproles has returned kicks, he has averaged nearly 29 yards per attempt, including a long of 48.
Not much to analyze here, I’d only point out the footing perspective on the field for Garrett Hartley kicks, and Morstead punts. When Sproles has returned kicks, he has averaged nearly 29 yards per attempt, including a long of 48.
X-Factor
Plain and simple, Jonathan Vilma. He’s returned from the PUP on Tuesday, and his presence is going to change the aspect of playcalling & reads for the defense. Just visualize the Linebacking Corp of Hawthorne (who is still hurt) – Vilma – Lofton for a second. Add that to what it does for Martez Wilson, and Cam Jordan. Yes, he can make that big of a difference.
Plain and simple, Jonathan Vilma. He’s returned from the PUP on Tuesday, and his presence is going to change the aspect of playcalling & reads for the defense. Just visualize the Linebacking Corp of Hawthorne (who is still hurt) – Vilma – Lofton for a second. Add that to what it does for Martez Wilson, and Cam Jordan. Yes, he can make that big of a difference.
All in all, the momentum is there. We just have to deliver yet again. Plain and simple.
Final Prediction: Saints 31, Bucs 20
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