Admin October 12, 2024
The Buccaneers will be looking to reclaim top spot in the division after conceding the lead of the NFC South to the Atlanta Falcons last Thursday, when the Falcons beat Tampa 36-30 in overtime.
The Saints will also be looking to get back to winning ways after a three-game stretch without a win. The Saints started the season off hot by scoring 44+ points in each of their first two games on their way to a 2-0 record but have failed to top 26 points in their last three games going 0-3.
Team News
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Graham Barton, Earnest Brown IV, Christian Izien, Kameron Johnson and Trey Palmer have all been ruled out of Sundays game. Luke Goedeke, Calijah Kancey, Jalen McMillan, Jordan Whitehead and Antoine Winfield Jr. are all questionable whilst running back Rachaad White is a doubt.
New Orleans Saints
Derek Carr is set to miss a few weeks with an oblique injury meaning rookie Spencer Rattler could be in line for his first NFL start after impressing during preseason.
Will Harris, Taysom Hill, Cesar Ruiz and Pete Werner will all be joining Carr on the sideline after being ruled out. Kendre Miller, Lucas Patrick, Payton Turner are all questionable ahead of Sunday’s game.
Key Players
Mike Evans (WR) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Evans is one of the most consistent receivers in the NFL. The Tampa Bay playmaker has had 10 consecutive 1,000 receiving yard seasons.
Through five games for the Bucs in 2024, Evans has 276 yards receiving along with five touchdowns. The 31-year-olds five touchdowns have come on only six redzone targets showcasing how much of a threat Evans is in the endzone.
Evans can make history this Sunday with a touchdown reception. He currently has 99 receiving touchdowns and will join Hall of Fame wide receivers Jerry Rice (146), Randy Moss (135), Marvin Harrison (122) and Terrell Owens (114) as the only players with 100 touchdowns in their first 11 seasons if he has an endzone catch against the Saints.
However, Evans will face a familiar foe in Marshon Lattimore. The two have enjoyed fiercely contested battles over the years and Evans has been held without a touchdown in his last five games against the Saints.
Alvin Kamara (RB) – New Orleans Saints
Kamara has started the 2024 season in red hot form for the Saints. Through five games Kamara has already matched his total touchdown tally from the 2023 season (six total touchdowns).
Kamara also has 602 yards from scrimmage through the Saints first five games of the season, the dynamic running back finished last season with 1,160 yards from scrimmage in 13 games.
The Saint back is averaging 120 scrimmage yards per game this season compared to the 89 YPG he was averaging in 2023.
The 29-year-olds best game of the season came in week two against the Dallas Cowboys. Kamara had 180 yards from scrimmage (115 rushing, 65 receiving) and four touchdowns (three rushing, one receiving) as the Saints dismantled the Cowboys 44-19 at the AT&T Stadium.
The Saints man has gone four games without scoring against the Bucs, he totalled 84 scrimmage yards in his best game in that stretch but has only topped 50 rushing yards twice in his last seven games against the Saints’ NFC South rivals.
Head-to-head
Sunday’s NFC South clash will be the 66th time the two times have met. The Saints lead the series 40-25 but the Buccaneers have won three of their last four games at the Superdome.
Where and When
The game takes place in New Orleans at Caesars Superdome on Sunday, October 13 with a start time of 1pm ET. The action gets underway at 6pm BST for UK fans.
How to watch
The game will be broadcast live on Fox in the US, with a broadcast team of Adam Amin, Greg Olsen, Pam Oliver. Whilst fans in the UK can tune in via DAZN’s NFL gamepass.