Which staff member will nail their pick this week?
As the Bucs are set to take on the Saints this week, we here at Bucs Nation will dive into some picks and predictions for Tampa Bay’s matchup in New Orleans.
Check it all out below.
Predictions
Gil Arcia: The Buck runs wild
The Bucs ground game has not been all that impressive outside of a couple runs from Rachaad White and Bucky Irving. But something has got to give at some point. And that “point” is this week. New Orleans has given up 100 yards on the ground in two of their last three games, and nearly six yards per carry in the game they didn’t give up 100 yards. Watch for the Bucs to commit to the run this week even with the injury sidelining White as rookie Bucky Irving will be a 100-yard rusher this week with two total touchdowns.
Mike Kiwak: Rattler gets rattled
The Saints confirmed Wednesday that they will be starting fifth-round rookie Spencer Rattler at quarterback after Derek Carr sustained a significant oblique injury. That sound you’re hearing is the collective groan of Bucs fans again reliving the trauma of rookie quarterbacks past. After all, a vivid memory of Bo Nix waltzing into Raymond James Stadium and destroying the Bucs in Week 3 with the Broncos is still very fresh. That said, this same Tampa team under Todd Bowles is still 11-6 against rookies, and the defense will be the healthiest it’s been in weeks. The Bucs sack Rattle 4+ times, hold him beneath 200 yards, and force two turnovers in a win.
Will Walsh: Grimy game gets nasty
Bucs at Saints will be physical and it will be nasty. The Saints play football like bullies at recess and just like bullies at recess, once someone stands up for themselves the bully becomes powerless. The Bucs are the more talented team in the matchup— Tampa’s real-world distractions, on the home front, may keep the game closer than it otherwise would be, however, as along as Todd Bowles’ bunch embraces the physicality that the Saints are going to bring and jumps out in front early, New Orleans’ cheap shots will only take them so far.
Evan Wanish: Defense bounces back
I wasn’t initially going to pick the Bucs to win this game, but with the news that Spencer Rattler is the starter for New Orleans, I think the Bucs bounce back following that horrid performance against Atlanta. This game won’t be pretty, but games against New Orleans rarely are. I also think the Bucs will be playing with a heavy heart due to the events of the Hurricane. I’ll say the Saints have a chance to win the game in the closing minutes and the defense shuts the door and gets Tampa Bay back on track.
Week 6 Staff Picks
Gil Arcia (2-3): Bucs 24, Saints 20
Mike Kiwak (2-3): Bucs 20, Saints 10
Evan Wanish (2-3): Bucs 20, Saints 16
Will Walsh (2-3): Bucs 19, Aints 11.