Interview with the Enemy: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This week, the New Orleans Saints return home to Caesars Superdome to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6 of the 2024 regular season. Evan Wanish of Bucs Nation joins us to preview Sunday’s first meeting between the two teams this season.

NJ: The twice-a-year clash between Saints CB Marshon Lattimore and Bucs WR Mike Evans has been one of the most entertaining battles in football over the past seven seasons. With their 13th meeting coming up this Sunday, who do you expect to walk away with the bragging rights?

EW: The battles that Mike Evans and Marshon Lattimore have had over the years needs to be turned into a documentary when both player’s careers are over. Truly one of the few player rivalries the NFL has nowadays and it’s always entertaining. I probably have to give the edge to Lattimore in terms of the numbers that Evans will put up. The Bucs have gotten Chris Godwin involved a lot more this year and while Evans isn’t an afterthought, they haven’t force fed him the ball. Expect Evans to get a few catches, but not many big plays. I’m sure Evans wouldn’t really mind that as long as it came with a W though.

NJ: QB Baker Mayfield has been outstanding for Tampa Bay to start the season, currently sitting 2nd in the NFL in passing touchdowns (11) and 31st in turnover-worthy plays (5). What exactly has thrown Baker off this year that you’ve noticed, if anything at all?

EW: The biggest thing that’s thrown Mayfield off and to be completely fair, would throw most QBs off is the lack of pass protection at times. When the Bucs offensive line struggles to protect him early in the game, he has shown a tendency to get happy feet and leave the pocket way too early instead of being patient and letting the play develop. Getting consistent pressure on Mayfield this week will be a key for the New Orleans defense.

NJ: One of the Saints’ biggest flaws this season has been their run defense, allowing 4.4 yards per carry, which ranks 9th in the league. They just allowed Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt to rush for over 100 yards, a feat he hadn’t accomplished since 2020. However, the Buccaneers are allowing 4.9 yards per carry, the fourth most in the league. Given this, are you concerned about facing a rejuvenated Alvin Kamara, who is ranked 6th in the league in rushing yards (388) with 26 first-down runs (tied for 2nd)?

EW: There is a concern with Alvin Kamara back there for the Saints. He’s been really good this year and it seems like even in his down years, he still finds a way to be productive against Tampa Bay. Tackling will be a point of emphasis for the Bucs this week. When they have the opportunity to get Kamara on the ground, they have to do it. He can hurt them in many different areas and with a rookie QB there for New Orleans, Kamara may see a heavy workload that Tampa will have to be ready for.

NJ: Is there a specific rookie or offseason addition from Tampa Bay that you feel has made the biggest impact to this point, and should New Orleans be on the lookout for him in Week 6?

EW: Rookie running back Bucky Irving has impressed Bucs coaches so far this season. However, he did have a critical fumble late in the game against Atlanta last Thursday. I think Irving will take the struggle as an opportunity to learn and bounce back. He continues to get carries alongside Rachaad White and he’s even made an impact in the passing game. Look for Irving to be a factor in Sunday’s game.

NJ: According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Buccaneers (-176) are currently 3.5-point favorites over the Saints (+148) in Sunday’s matchup; who do you think will come out on top, and what is your final score prediction?

EW: This game is really tough to predict. The Buccaneers have not practiced normally all week due to the hurricane affecting the Tampa area. With their routine thrown off, it could mean a less focused Bucs team on Sunday. However, with the Saints starting a rookie QB who is going to be seeing his first true NFL action this week and a New Orleans team that’s been struggling the past few weeks, I wonder if it evens itself out. The Bucs the past two years have found ways to bounce back after tough losses and have already done that this year after the Denver loss. I expect that to happen again this Sunday. Give me the Bucs 20-16.

Thank you again to Evan Wanish for joining us this week! You can check out the rest of his work here.

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