The last game of the Divisional Round features an NFC matchup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5) and the New Orleans Saints (12-4). The Saints will host this one at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, with kickoff scheduled for 6:40 pm ET.
This matchup will pit two future Hall-of-Famers as Tom Brady will square off with Drew Brees. To illustrate how illustrious their careers have been, Tom Brady is the all-time leader in touchdown passes while Brees ranks second. In terms of total passing yards, Brees is the all-time leader while Brady is second.
The Buccaneers had to get through an underrated Washington Football Team in the Wild Card Round to get here. In the 31-23 win, Tom Brady threw for 381 yards and two touchdowns. Mike Evans led the way in receiving with 119 yards.
The Saints were able to beat the Chicago Bears 21-9 last weekend to get here. While the Saints only scored 21 points, Brees was able to throw for 265 yards and two touchdowns while Alvin Kamara rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown.
The Saints are the slight favorites playing at home. They currently are -154 to win, while Tampa Bay’s moneyline sits at +130. The spread features the Buccaneers at +3 while the over/under sits at 52.
By The Numbers
Offensively, both of these teams were in the top five in scoring this season. Buccaneers rank 3rd, averaging 30.8 points, while the Saints rank 5th, averaging 29.6 points per game.
Defensively, it is New Orleans that has the edge. They rank 3rd in scoring defense, allowing opponents just 20.4 points per game. Tampa Bay ranks 8th, allowing 22.2 points per game.
Buccaneers Hope To Take Down Division Foe
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers aim to make it to the NFC Championship and do so, and they will try to take down the division rival New Orleans Saints.
To do so, they will lean on veteran quarterback Tom Brady to lead the offense. Despite being 43 years old, Brady still threw for 4,633 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
Brady certainly has no shortage of targets in his offense. Mike Evans (70 receptions, 1,006 yards, 13 touchdowns), Chris Godwin (65 receptions, 840 yards, seven touchdowns), Rob Gronkowski (45 receptions, 623 yards, seven touchdowns) and Antonio Brown (45 receptions, 483 yards, four touchdowns) are all capable of breaking off a big play at any point.
Defensively, the team is led by Devin White (140 tackles), Jason Pierre-Paul (9.5 sacks), and Carlton Davis (4 interceptions).
Saints Hoping To Make It A Season Sweep
As NFC South foes, these two have already matched up twice this season. The Saints won both of these games, 34-21 and 38-3. On Sunday, the Saints will hope to beat them for the third time and end their season.
Leading the way for the Saints under center is Drew Brees. Despite missing a few games due to a rib injury, Brees still threw for 2,942 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just six interceptions.
On the ground, it is Alvin Kamara that has led the way. He had 187 rushes for 932 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also brought in 83 receptions for 756 yards and another five scores.
Last week, the Saints got a big bump with the return of wide receiver Michael Thomas. In the win over the Bears, he had five receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown.
The defense will also get a bump this week as Trey Hendrickson, who leads the team with 13.5 sacks, will return from injury after sitting out last week.
Taking Saints To Win, Cover
It is hard to beat a team three times in a season, especially one as talented as the Buccaneers. Still, Drew Brees and the Saints have been playing some excellent football on both sides of the ball to end the season, and I expect that to continue here.
The key for the Saints will be to keep pressure on Brady. In their first two matchups, Brady threw a combined five interceptions thanks to the Saints’ pressure. With the return of Trey Hendrickson, that may continue in this one.
I expect this one to be closer than the 38-3 drubbing in their last matchup, but I still like the Saints to win and cover the 3-point spread.
