Bucs vs. Saints: What to expect in Week 5

Here's what Bucs fans should expect to see against the Saints on Sunday.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been road warriors so far this season, winning both of their games away from home while dropping the pair of games they've played at Raymond James Stadium.

That ability to win in opposing stadiums will be put to the test yet again Sunday, as they travel to New Orleans to face the Saints in one of the most difficult home-field advantage sites in the NFL.

What should Bucs fans expect to see Sunday?

For starters, another big test for their front seven in another one of the league's most dynamic running backs. After going through a Murderer's Row of Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley and Todd Gurley with impressive success, Tampa Bay's defense will be challenged yet again by the Saints' Alvin Kamara, a three-down nightmare.

Playing in place of Drew Brees, Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has been content to throw short passes early and often, putting playmakers like Kamara and Michael Thomas in position to make big plays after the catch. This will play into Tampa Bay's bend-don't-break style, but they'll have to make sure tackles for the plan to actually work. That's much easier said than done against Kamara and company.

Expect Bridgewater to keep up his high completion percentage with short throws and plenty of checkdowns, challenging the Bucs to play disciplined, fundamentally sound defense to keep short completions from turning into big plays.

On offense, expect the Bucs to keep running their offense through the NFL's most productive wide receiver tandem, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. No two receivers have combined for more yards so far this season, and the pair is tied for the league lead in touchdown receptions with four each. The Saints have one of the NFL's better young corners in Marshon Lattimore, but he can't cover both of them at once. Look for Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston to find the matchup and exploit whichever receiver Lattimore isn't covering.

Oh, and did I mention the Bucs also have one of the league's best tight end pairings? O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate have been more impactful as blockers in the running game so far this season, but they're primed to remind fans of their pass-catching prowess this week while the Saints are focused on containing Evans and Godwin.

Expect Tampa Bay's biggest offensive challenge to be holding back another disruptive front four, as they did last week against Aaron Donald and the Rams. Cameron Jordan is one of the league's most underrated edge rushers, and the return of Sheldon Rankins will be a huge boost to an already talented unit. The Bucs' offensive line must give Winston the same kind of time he got last week, while also giving their running backs enough room to keep the offense balanced.

As always, expect turnovers to play a huge part in who wins. If Winston can continue to take care of the football while turning red-zone trips into touchdowns, the Bucs can make it three in a row on the road in 2019.