BucsGameday Staff Score Predictions: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were lost in the middle of the season but things have shifted back in the right direction over the last couple of weeks. The Buccaneers have won four consecutive games and are now just one victory away from winning the NFC South for the third straight year. The only thing standing in their way is a home matchup with the New Orleans Saints.
The Saints are 7-8 on the season and have lost four of their past six games, including three straight losses from late November to early December. The team has already ruled cornerback Lonnie Johnson and offensive tackle Ryan Ramzyck out on Sunday afternoon.
The Buccaneers will need the offense to rack up points yet again. Tampa Bay has scored 20+ in each of its last five games, including 30+ points over the last two weeks. Meanwhile, the Saints have surrendered 20+ points in seven of their eight losses on the season.
Our staff provides their predictions and analysis as the Buccaneers prepare to take on the Saints.
Dustin Lewis (@DustinLewisNG)
The Buccaneers just continue to fight and climb their way out of a midseason hole. The turnaround on both sides of the ball has been impressive, especially with quarterback Baker Mayfield and the offense really starting to click at the right time. It would be huge if the team could put together another complete performance to lock up a spot in the postseason.
The Saints have been pretty hit or miss throughout the year. Plus, they are just 3-5 away from home during the 2023 season. The dreadful combination of Dennis Allen and Derek Carr continues to drag down former No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston.
I think that the Buccaneers come out focused on taking care of business against New Orleans. Tampa Bay is simply playing better football at this point of the season and the team seems to have hit its stride.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 10-5
Buccaneers 27, Saints 18
Logan Robinson (@LogansTwitty)
The Buccaneers have a chance to get their 5th win in a row and nab the NFC South division title. I believe Tampa Bay will win primarily because of the offensive play right now behind Baker Mayfield. It’s been clicking on almost all cylinders this December and at the right time. Mike Evans is getting the ball. Chris Godwin is getting the ball.
Mayfield is taking care of the ball and moving around in the pocket nicely. If Dave Canales can get the run game going in this one with Rachaad White, it’s a wrap for the Saints defense that hasn’t been great this season stopping the run. Bucs take the NFC South and get to rest key starters next week on the road in Charlotte to face the Panthers for their last game of the regular season.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 9-6
Buccaneers 31, Saints 17
David Harrison (@DHarrison82)
Baker Mayfield has been on a tear and Devin White seems to be fueled by his latest bout with public backlash, and on top of it all the Buccaneers can clinch the NFC South. How do you not win a game like this one? Mike Evans gets two scores and the Bucs win.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 9-6
Buccaneers 26, Saints 17
Collin Haalboom (@SI_Buccaneers)
It took a while, but the Bucs offense has finally hit its stride — and just at the right time. Still, it wasn't that long ago that Tampa Bay struggled just to put up double-digit points. I want to see this team handle the Saints at home to wrap up their third consecutive NFC South Division title before I'm convinced they have what it takes to win a playoff game.
If they do, they'll have won 5 consecutive games and generated a ton of momentum heading into the postseason, regardless of what happens in Carolina Week 18.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 10-5
Buccaneers 27, Saints 21
Caleb Skinner (@chsnole)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are riding high as they have ripped off four wins in a row and will now get a chance to win the NFC South crown against the New Orleans Saints in Tampa Bay - a team they already beat-handedly once this season. With the offense clicking in all facets and the defense finally looking at complete health the Bucs couldn’t be in a much better place.
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints have injury concerns and don’t appear to be at full strength for this one. With up-and-down play from QB Derek Carr through the season I think the Bucs will once again win the turnover differential and pull off a pivotal win to reach the playoffs.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 8-7
Buccaneers 34, Saints 21
JC Allen (@JCAllenNFL)
It's a hat and T-shirt game for the Buccaneers. Win against the Saints and they capture their third consecutive Division title. New Orleans isn't going to roll over and let the Bucs take the NFC South from them though. While the Bucs control their destiny and a win over the Saints or Panthers wins them the division, NOLA is right on their heels should they fumble the bag over the next two weeks.
These two teams have a genuine dislike for one another and always get up for their divisional games, "rivalry" or not. I expect this to be a hard-fought win for the Bucs who are going up against one of the better defenses in the league. The Saints will be down some core members of their secondary though and that's how the Bucs should take advantage as it will be difficult to run against their front seven.
I expect a low-scoring game between the two clubs but the Bucs squeak out the victory to win the NFC South and capture the fourth seed in the playoffs.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 12-3
Buccaneers 17, Saints 13
Kade Kimble (@kadekimble)
This game will be a close one, as it has implications in the NFC South. With Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers rolling, they should be able to take down the Saints once again. It will be no easy game for Mayfield, but if he can avoid any crucial turnovers, the Buccaneers will be able to maintain their lead in the NFC South while even building some separation in the top spot.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 11-4
Buccaneers 28, Saints 24
Ben Meyerson (@ByBenMeyerson)
The Buccaneers' running game has come on strong in the second half of the season, Rachaad White has been a monster for this offense recording at least 75+ yards from scrimmage in every game since Week 11. While the Saints run defense ranks 25th in EPA/play since Week 12, expect a big game from White and Baker Mayfield who had 8 touchdowns and 0 interceptions in their last 3 games. On defense the Buccaneers handled the Saints' offense in Week 4 Derek Carr averaged 3.4 yards per attempt (by far his worst of the season) and had his second-worst passer rating. While his last few games have seen better performances, I do not expect that he will be able to have the same production against Todd Bowles.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 9-6
Buccaneers 31, Saints 13
Cody Haynes (@codyh33)
The Bucs were on fire last week against a good Jaguars squad! The offense is clicking and the defense is getting to the quarterback at the right time. Devin White heard the haters loud and clear and played probably the best ball he’s ever played. If the Bucs can continue to play like they did this past Sunday, watch out. Next up, the slimy Saints. If the Bucs can pull off a win, they’re in the playoffs. There is no game that they would want to clinch the division title in more than this one.
The Saints have played some good and some bad football. If the Bucs can get to Carr and make him uncomfortable as they did with Trevor Lawrence, I believe this will be another huge win. The Bucs continue their success and lock up the division in front of the home crowd.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 7-4 (joined in middle of season)
Buccaneers 31, Saints 21
Matthew Hewitt (@BucsTrackerNFL)
The Bucs have won the past three meetings against the Saints and I think that trend will continue Sunday. The Bucs are one of the hottest teams in the NFC and I have them winning 28-17.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 7-4 (joined in middle of season)
Buccaneers 28, Saints 17
CONSENSUS: Buccaneers (10-0)
READ MORE: Buccaneers' OC Compares Baker Mayfield to Seahawks' Geno Smith
Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage, news, and analysis throughout the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2023 season.
